July 18, 2024 |
Photo – The BLM land west of Rawlins for proposed bike trail – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The Bureau of Land Management requires state approval before constructing a mountain bike park outside of Rawlins.
In March of last year, the city’s Parks and Recreation Director, at the time, Jason Sehon, informed the city council about a proposed mountain bike park west of the city. At the time, Sehon said he was in talks with BLM about the issue. The federal lands agency owns the land. The former parks and rec director said everyone he had talked to was enthusiastic about the project.
A year and a half later, no work has been done, and the mountain bike park is still just an idea.
During Tuesday’s Rawlins city council meeting, current Parks and Rec Director Nikki Howell informed the governing body that the project is still alive. Howell said BLM is waiting on approval from the state to construct the bike trail.
Once the project is approved by the state, Howell said the International Mountain Bike Association will begin designing the park. Howell said the organization will seek local feedback and support for the project.
Designing a mountain bike park on public land will also require a National Environmental Policy Act review. Mayor Terry Weickum explained how the NEPA review process works.
Howell said the NEPA review will also ensure the cultural importance of the site is protected.
Howell was not able to provide a timeline for the mountain bike park construction. The parks and rec director said the entire process is waiting for state approval before work can begin.
