Nova Scotia·NewYoung riders wasted no time hitting the trails at a new bike park that opened Monday in Eastern Passage.‘It’s extremely rewarding to see all these kids having fun,’ says freestyle cyclistThe bike park has numerous ramps, curves and rocks to test riders of different levels. (Patrick Callaghan/CBC)Young riders wasted no time hitting the trails at a new bike park that opened Monday in Eastern Passage, N.S.More than 200 children lined up for a spin at the park, which offers tracks for both beginners and seasoned riders ready to put their skills to the test on its ramps, rocks and winding curves. For Adam Berry, seeing the park full of kids was like coming full circle. He and the team behind the park worked on it for four months, levelling the field, turning rocks and making sure there was sufficient drainage so puddles won’t form when it rains.”We’ve been working on it for so long. But it’s extremely rewarding to see all these kids having fun. And they’re going to do it for years and years to come,” he said.Berry and longtime friend Devon White grew up freestyling on bikes and wishing they had a space like this. White eventually founded Dirt Love, the company that built the park. Berry said this is their way of giving back and helping the next generation keep their wheels in motion.Adam Berry started freestyle riding when he was 15 years old. (Patrick Callaghan/CBC)Niv Perelroizen and Rylan Nauss are both 15, the same age Berry was when he started freestyle riding with White. The two teens from Hammonds Plains said they came to the park to practise their jumps and landings, and are grateful to have this space in the area. “It’s great, I just love this place. It’s awesome to have a spot like this in the community,” said Perelroizen. “Mount Edward was pretty good, but it’s kinda small compared to this,” said Nauss, referring to another bike park in Dartmouth.Nauss, who is the more experienced of the two, is teaching his friend.Meagan Melanson’s three-year-old son, Owen, riding his bike at the park. (Patrick Callaghan/CBC)For smaller kids, the park features beginner-friendly paths with softer curves. Meagan Melanson said those are perfect for her three-year-old son Owen, who started biking as soon as he could walk. “He loves it. He is happy to be here and check it out, he kinda jumped right in. So I’m very proud of him for that,” she said. Owen’s dad was riding alongside him, offering encouragement and making sure he stuck to the path. Melanson said she expects the park will become part of their weekly routine. ABOUT THE AUTHORGiuliana is a journalist originally from Lima, Peru. She is interested in stories about rural Nova Scotia, science, the environment and more. If you have any story tips, you can reach her at giuliana.grillo.de.lambarri@cbc.ca.
Young riders line up to take spin at new bike park in Eastern Passage
