Partnership will lead to mountain bike course at King County's Duthie Hill Park

A public mountain bike skills course is being planned for King County's Duthie Hill Park on the Sammamish Plateau, thanks to a unique partnership between King County Parks and the Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club (BBTC).

King County has awarded $150,000 in grants to BBTC toward the planning, design and initial construction of the facility, including $100,000 from the Community Partnership Grant Fund and $50,000 in Youth Sports Facilities Grant funds.

"By partnering with the Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club, we look forward to planning and creating a tremendous new public amenity at Duthie Hill Park," said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown. "The club's dedication, enthusiasm and active participation have helped make this possible for backcountry bikers in our region."

Design work on the course is scheduled to begin in February with three public meetings planned for the spring. Brown said community input will be a valuable tool during the project's design phase.

Groundbreaking on the skills course project is scheduled for this summer, with some features ready for public use by year's end.

"The proposed mountain bike course at Duthie Hill Park represents the newest trend in mountain biking - skills parks that are close to communities where kids and families of all abilities can ride," said Justin Vander Pol, BBTC board member. "Following BBTC's success with the Colonnade Skills Park in Seattle, we now have Duthie Hill. Soon we hope to have parks like these in every community in Washington state."

Duthie Hill Park is 120 acres in size and features heavily forested rolling terrain with well-draining soils. Skills course planners noted that a 2 ½-acre clearing near the center of the park could be included as part of the course's layout. The park is also connected to King County's nearby Grand Ridge Park, which features a six-mile mountain bike trail and offers additional riding opportunities for enthusiasts.

Vander Pol said the new mountain bike course will offer features for all skill levels, including a range of new trails and technical features, dirt jumps, a cross country race loop and more.

For information about how to support BBTC or how to become a volunteer, visit www.bbtc.org, or call 206-524-2900.

About King County Parks
King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/.

About Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club
Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club (BBTC) is a volunteer-powered 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and sustain mountain biking opportunities in Washington. We focus on education, advocacy and recreation and believe in building common ground and fostering a culture that "gives back." Learn more at http://www.bbtc.org.