Pump track at Memorial Park in Alliance opens, first of its kind in Stark County

Benjamin Duer, The Repository
·2 min read
Kyler McCammon, 17, of Sebring rides the new pump track at Memorial Park which was recently opened for bike riders. Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
Kyler McCammon, 17, of Sebring rides the new pump track at Memorial Park which was recently opened for bike riders. Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

ALLIANCE − The new pump track at Memorial Park has opened, and bike riders are already enjoying the complex.

"It's pretty good. I like it," said 13-year-old Xavier Lucas of Smith Township.

The complex has two tracks − one for novices, and one for advanced riders. It is next to the Sean Scott Memorial Rotary Skate Park. The tracks are systems of rollers and banks, ideal for BMX bikes, mountain bikes, scooters, skateboards and wheelchairs.

Cody Mullins of Alliance rides the new pump track which was recently opened for bike riders at Memorial Park. Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
Cody Mullins of Alliance rides the new pump track which was recently opened for bike riders at Memorial Park. Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

Kim Cox, director of Alliance Parks and Recreation, said the complex is living up to expectations, and drawing riders from all over the area. An outside group has planned a free BMX competition there on June 10.

"We're very excited," Cox said regarding the community's response to the tracks.

Kyler McCammon, 17, of Sebring and his friends have used the pump tracks almost daily since it opened this month. He said they'll spend several hours hanging out there, going up and down the curvy complex.

"This was needed," he said.

The pump track was built by Cleveland-based firm PumpTrax USA which has installed other in northern Ohio and in other states. The next closest tracks are in Akron, Cleveland and Lisbon.

Making memories

Chad Christian, 38 of Sebring, recently brought his 3-year-old son Jameson to the track after getting him a Stacyc stability cycle. The father-son duo rode up and down the wavy track, went around curves and climbed hills while making memories.

Chad Christian, 38 of Sebring, and his 3-year-old son ride bikes on the new pump track at Memorial Park in Alliance.
Chad Christian, 38 of Sebring, and his 3-year-old son ride bikes on the new pump track at Memorial Park in Alliance.

"My daddy is fast," the little boy said as he watched his dad on the track.

Christian said he has been a lifelong BMX and mountain bike rider. He even tried to build his own course at 16. Now, his son is interested. "We built a little dirt track in our backyard, but he's been dying to come here," Christian said.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP

Kyler McCammon, 17, of Sebring and Cody Mullins, 21, left, of Alliance ride the new pump track at Memorial Park, which was recently opened for bike riders. Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
Kyler McCammon, 17, of Sebring and Cody Mullins, 21, left, of Alliance ride the new pump track at Memorial Park, which was recently opened for bike riders. Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance's Memorial Park has a new pump track for bike riders