ARLINGTON — After nearly 15 years of planning, the City of Arlington officially opened its new bicycle pump track at Jensen Park on Wednesday, July 29.
A pump track is a looping course featuring small hills, known as rollers, and banked turns, or berms. Riders maintain momentum by shifting their body weight rather than pedaling, making the tracks popular for recreation and skill development among riders of all ages and experience levels.
The 14,000-square-foot asphalt pump track, designed by Velosolutions and constructed by the American Ramp Company in partnership with the Rotary Club of Arlington, includes features for riders of every skill level. The facility offers a dedicated beginner track, advanced elements such as a wall ride and progressive transfer options, and Smart Strips technology that allows riders to track lap times through a companion mobile app (Vorld Gate, available on iOS and Android).
“I have the privilege of traveling the country and working with communities to help get facilities like this built, and Arlington is very unique. We hear a lot of talk from cities and communities wanting to contribute to parks like this, but very rarely does it happen. To see all of you come together to build this track for the communities, for the kids in town, is incredible. You guys are now an example for other communities in the country, from California to Oregon,” said Maddie Ferson, Action Sports Development for American Ramp Company.
This is the ninth Velosolutions pump track in Washington State but only the second to have a dedicated kid, beginner, zone, and one of the first tracks to have the Vorld Timing system.
Although the bicycle pump track first appeared in the city’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan in 2011, planning for the project did not begin in earnest until 2021. The project was fully funded through a series of community partnerships while the Arlington Parks Department completed additional improvements at Jensen Park, including construction of a new restroom.
Approximately 100 community members attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Arlington Mayor Don Vanney said it was one of the “largest crowds” he has seen since taking office, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for the long-awaited project.
“This is the kind of project that shows what community partnership looks like at its best. Places like this gives young kids, and adults, a place to go out and dispose of some of their excess energy,” Vanney said while thanking the city’s community partners, Parks Department staff and construction crews who helped bring the project to completion.
Snohomish County Councilmember Nate Nehring played a key role in advancing the project through the Snohomish County Partnership Program, which supports expanded recreational opportunities throughout the county.
“When I think about it a little bit about this project, I think about the several great community partners coming together to get this across the finish line,” Nehring said. “These great partnerships really help make these things happen in our community. Through my time working in local government, I’ve learned that nothing happens without partnerships and this is just great testament to that.”
Nehring credited several organizations for helping bring the project to completion, including the Rotary Club of Arlington, which spearheaded fundraising efforts through its annual Duck Dash event; the Stillaguamish Tribe, which made significant financial contributions that helped complete the project this spring; as well as online retail giant Amazon.
“We know, at Amazon, how important it is to give back to the communities where we operate and where our employees live. We also know how important it is to give our youth the opportunity to recreate safely with their peers, which will have great benefits to the community down the road,” said Dean Allsopp, Amazon’s community engagement manager.
Kadi Bizyayeva, vice chairwoman, fisheries director and tribal councilmember for the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, said the project is “really meaningful for the tribe, knowing there is a place for all of our kids, and community, to come out and recreate safely.”
Rotary Club of Arlington President Dave Kraski recognized Bill Kmet as the driving force behind the project, saying Kmet first proposed building a bicycle pump track five years ago and “never let up on letting the idea moving along.”
Kraski also presented plaques of appreciation to the Stillaguamish Tribe, Amazon, the City of Arlington and Snohomish County in recognition of their contributions to fully funding the project.
The celebration featured food trucks, vendor tents and a DJ as dozens of cyclists took to the new track to test their skills.
“Having a pump track in Arlington is just a huge asset for the community, for the kids that play recreationally, but the uniqueness about this is that it’s one of the largest in the region, and allows us to add a new venue, and new sport with bicycles, adding just one more feather in our hat to host new events, and open the doors for people to see all that Arlington has to offer,” said Tammy Dunn, executive director of the Snohomish County Sports Commission.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
