WILMINGTON — There are some new additions to Wilmington parks.
An observation deck has been finished for locals to take in the breathtaking landscape. And a new pump track draws closer to completion where the Kroger/Clintmont Baseball Field was located in David R. Williams Park.
Lori Williams, Wilmington’s Parks and Recreation Director, credits a lot of the work to the support of local residents and their volunteer efforts. These are the latest features added with the hopes of getting people out and about.
A pump track is a small looping bicycle track — a trail of dirt using as little as 10 x 30 feet of land with dirt berms and smooth dirt mounds for pumping called “rollers” — used for bicycling without the rider pedaling. The name comes from the pumping motion used by cyclists’ upper and lower bodies as they ride around the track. The track uses the pumping motion to maintain speed around the track without pedaling.
“I’ve been wanting to do an off-road bicycle thing that would help people learn how to mountain bike,” said Williams. “It’s a great way to cross-train.”
Park staff, city officials, community members, college students and even two people from Springboro helped construct the pump track in late October. They also received help from Dave Huff of Riding Forward and Jered Raflik of DK Bicycles.
The pump track is still a work in progress, but Williams is hopeful it’ll be ready by spring.
“Eventually with enough rain, freeze, thaw and packing, it’ll be like concrete,” said Williams.
On deck
While one would not be able to try out the track just yet, there is a brand new observation deck for people to enjoy. Construction of the deck, located in the Lytle Creek Preserve, began earlier in the fall is a way for park patrons to get a look at the area from a different perspective.
“With this deck, I really hope people get a great look at the wildlife community and the topography of the area,” said Williams.
With decking material donated by Azek (Timber Tech) and the belting used for the guardrail provided by the Clinton County Port Authority, the project was completed in a matter of weeks. Williams praised the hard work of Mayor John Stanforth, Rick Stanforth, Mark Williams and park staff for their work on the deck. Wilmington Interact students also lent a hand by painting the belting.
The deck can be accessed via the footbridge off of the 4-C Bicentennial Trail near the power line.
