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Central Oregon is home to five incredible bike parks that are maintained by COTA. We work hard to continually improve each park and to ensure each park receives proper maintenance. Due to our large (and growing - yew!) community of riders and the region’s dry, non-organic soil, these bike parks require tons of maintenance every year. And shaping jumps and berms and building rock and wood features takes a high skill level. Dedicated community of shredders, know that we are working hard so you have places to dial in your skills! Well-maintained bike parks depend on COTA having enough funding! In 2023, COTA invested more than $100,000 in upgrades and maintenance for just 3 of the 5 bike parks we maintain. To make that possible, we received grants from five local organizations and donations from more than 50 individual donors. For 2024, COTA’s budget envisions spending $70,000 on bike park maintenance and upgrades - all of which will have to be raised through memberships, donations, and grants. If we can’t raise the money, some of that work will get pushed out until we can, and some of the bike parks may not ride as well in the meantime. Long term, we hope to build our budget enough to hire a staff member who works on bike parks and flow trails full-time! Given all the fun and skill progression opportunities Central Oregon’s bike parks offer, it’s a great investment, and frankly, it’s a bargain! Read on to learn about Central Oregon’s five bike parks, recent maintenance and upgrade initiatives, future projects, and how becoming a COTA member helps us sustain and improve them. Bike Park Hours of Operation and LevelsAll bike parks operate from sunrise to sunset and are available to all rider levels unless stated otherwise. Prineville Bike ParkLocation: 470-506 NE Juniper St, Prineville, OR (next to the Ochoco Creek Park and across the street from the skate park) Features: 4 progressive jump lines, a strider bike track, a pump track, and a skills loop Recent Initiative(s): In summer 2023, a group of volunteers spearheaded the “Goathead Cleanup” initiative to remove all the sharp burrs from the park. They used paint rollers to get all the dangerous spikes off the dirt and got the park looking top-notch. Neighbors reported seeing groups of riders shredding features the next day! Future Initiatives: The Prineville Bike Park is next up on COTA’s list for substantial upgrades, and for that, we need funding! We are fundraising now to invest in upgrades and maintenance. Work needed includes reworking some of the jump lines, weed mitigation, replacing weathered wood on the start tower, and more. This project will be implemented as soon as we can raise the money, hopefully in late 2024 or early 2025. Becoming a member will help COTA achieve our goal to upgrade the park and will support riders like the Prineville Composite Youth Mountain Bike Race Team (P-Comp) improve their skills. Wanoga Infield Bike Park (and Sno-Park)Location: Cascade Lakes Highway, Bend, OR (15 miles west of Bend at Tiddlywinks trailhead) Features: Progressive jump lines, a drop zone with progressive-sized drops, roller lines, and an easy return climbing route Recent Initiatives: In 2023, extensive work went into the Wanoga Infield Bike Park, which included adding a drop zone, adding a jump line, expanding the starting mound, and creating an approachable uphill return trail. Black Sage Dirt Works did the major dirt shaping, and COTA volunteers clocked 134 hours doing hand-finished work and improving the area’s sustainability by better defining the ride and return lines to protect native vegetation. The park still sports some original roller lines appropriate for beginner riders. The project cost $25,000 and was funded by a grant from the Bend Sustainability Fund and COTA member donations. Future Initiatives: A portion of COTA 2024's bike park budget will go toward Wanoga Infield Bike Park maintenance. Sisters Bike Park 242Location: 1750 McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters, OR (west of Sisters High School) Features: Wood skinnies, drops, jump lines (beginner to expert), and pump track Recent Initiatives: In 2023, locals Steve and Michelle Smith and Mark Miskowiec (Chapter Rep of COTA’s Sisters chapter) took on the massive task of revamping Sisters Bike Park 242. With Steve as Technical Lead and Michelle as the Volunteer Project Coordinator, they elevated the bike park into a mountain bike playground for riders of all levels. "I grew up building jumps," [Steve] said. "It was kind of my escape from growing up a troubled kid." (Steve Smith, Nugget News) This extensive project cost $25,000 and was funded with support from Visit Central Oregon and Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD). Other essential players included Kyle Jameson of Black Sage Dirt Works and Charlie Wirtz, a local carpenter who re-designed and re-built the start tower. Volunteers logged 895 hours improving the start tower, reworking the wood skinnies and drops section, rebuilding the pump track, and increasing sustainability through dust mitigation, weed removal, and planting native vegetation. A volunteer hour is valued at $32.37, so the true cost of the project was nearly $60,000. The park's grand (re)opening in October 2023 was a huge success! More than 100 riders of all ages showed up to dial their skills, and St. Charles Foundation provided free helmets for rippers ages 5-15, which were professionally fitted by Blazin Saddles. Future Initiatives: Direct support through COTA memberships and donations is essential to maintain the park's rideability and to “raise [Bike Park 242’s] profile so both locals and visitors know the amenity is available” (Steve Smith, The Bend Bulletin). The Lair Freeride AreaLocation: Marvin's Garden Trail, Bend, OR (easily accessible by riding Marvin’s Garden from the Phil’s Trailhead) Level: High intermediate to expert Features: Flow trail and progression park that features everything from three-foot beginner jumps to 20-foot monsters. Working on that backflip? This is the place for you. Recent Initiatives: In 2022, Kyle Jameson (KJ), a world-class mountain biker and owner of Black Sage Dirt Works, “enlisted a group of enthusiastic local youth” to reshape The Lair. KJ taught the kids how to sculpt dirt, and the dedicated crew of groms spent hours building quality jumps that will last. “I guarantee, one of the 14/15 kids that were there is going to be a professional trail builder one day” (KJ, Build Your Dream//Youth Movement). The area includes downhill-only jump lines that range from challenging but rollable to expert/pro. Working on your backflip? Or just want to see someone do a back flip IRL? This is the place! See The Lair team in action with the Build Your Dream//Youth Movement video here. Future Initiatives: A portion of 2024's $70,000 bike park budget will go toward maintaining The Lair Freeride Area. COTA is also working with the land manager, the U.S. Forest Service, on offering more lines at The Lair. This project will likely take a while due to the USFS’s extensive planning and environmental review process, but we are working hard to make it happen! Phil's Skills Bike ParkLocation: Phil's Trailhead, Bend, OR 97701 (off of FS 4604 Rd) Features: Strider course, rollers and jumps, drop zone, and a flat zone Recent Initiatives: Phil’s Skills Bike Park is now equipped with a strider course, rollers and jumps for days, a drop zone, and an open area where coaches and groups can gather to work on skills. Additionally, there’s side space throughout for parents and coaches to hang out and keep the active areas clear. Since Phil’s Skills was built around progression, you’ll find features from beginner to advanced. The project took months of planning and cost over $50,000. More than 600 cubic yards of dirt and 30 large boulders were trucked to the site. Large machinery was used for construction, and hand finishing was done by dedicated volunteers. Special shout out to Designer and Builder, Kyle Jameson of Black Sage Dirt Works, for creating an excellent park and to Deschutes Trails Coalition, Mt. Bachelor Play Forever Fund, and NewSun Energy, all of whom made major financial contributions to this project. Future Initiatives: Annual maintenance is anticipated to cost $15,000 per year. If you love Phil’s Skills Area--or any of Central Oregon’s trails and bike parks--we’d love for you to join the crew and become a COTA supporter by donating time or money! Think Before You RideIt’s all about respect, folks! To reduce the maintenance load and keep things fun for all, please respect the following rules when enjoying the bike parks.
Support Bike Parks & Trail Work - Become a Member!Without the support of the riding community, these bike parks would fall into disarray - quickly.
If you enjoy riding Central Oregon’s trails and bike parks, we encourage you to become a COTA member (monthly or annual - as low as $30 annually!) or donate any amount so we can continue to build a robust and diverse mountain biking experience for all. Your support keeps these bike parks (and 600 miles of singletrack trails) maintained, current, and FREE TO USE. We truly can’t do it without your support. Interested in being part of the crew? Follow us on Instagram (@cotamtb) and join our Meetup group to ensure you never miss our events. Catch COTA’s Executive Director, Emmy Andrews, on a recent episode of “Bend Don’t Break” as she chats about trail work and maintenance, the newly updated Phil's Skills Bike Park, Wanoga Sno-Park, and Sisters Bike Park 242.
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We’re beyond stoked to announce that Phil’s Skills Bike Park Phase 2 is complete! Months of planning, fundraising, and construction have led to the unveiling of a rad mountain bike park that is accessible to all rider levels and provides opportunities for riders to progress their skills in this sport we all love. Let’s get into it! Phil's Skills Phase 2 OverviewWhen we set out to develop Phil’s Skills, our plan was to create a bike park and coaching space where all ages and levels could come to practice. After the completion of Phase 1, our Phase 2 mission was to better use the area and, frankly, build a mountain bike playground. Phase 2 InclusionsPhil’s Skills Area is now equipped with a strider course, rollers and jumps for days, a drop zone, and an open area where coaches and groups can gather to work on skills. Additionally, there’s side space throughout for parents and coaches to hang out and keep the active areas clear. As you check out the features, you’ll notice they were created with sessionability in mind. COTA strives to consistently develop the local mountain biking experience, and for riders to progress, we want them to be able to try a feature as many times as they wish. This builds confidence, awareness, and skill that each rider can put to use out on the trails. Since Phil’s Skills was built around progression, you’ll find features from beginner to advanced. Beginner features are located near the parking area, and the features generally progress in level, ending at the current pump track and jumps. We encourage riders to be mindful and respectful of the park’s diversity and always be aware of other riders while having fun. Refraining from climbing and playing on jumps and berms reduces how fast they degrade - let’s make these features last! Phil's Skills Area FeaturesA huge shoutout to our Designer and Builder, Kyle Jameson of Black Sage Dirt Works, for creating a park that will endure for generations of riders. The new skills features at Phil’s Skills Area include:
We Couldn't Do It Without You!The project took months of planning. More than 600 cubic yards of dirt and 30 large boulders were trucked to the site. Large machinery was used for construction, and hand finishing was done by dedicated volunteers. “There are a ton of moving pieces that go into a project of this scale,” said Alex Brieger, Trails Program Manager with COTA. “From the initial idea to transform Phil’s main trailhead, the most popular starting point for most Bend visitors and local riders, to fundraising and budgeting, hiring contractors, Forest Service approvals, materials, and construction, it’s a monumental effort. Now kids and beginners to advanced riders can practice to more confidently ride the 600 miles of trails COTA maintains.” Your support makes this all possible.
Phil’s Skills couldn’t have been completed without the generous donations of our members and business sponsors, the unwavering support of the many volunteers who did the hand finish work, and our coaching partners who gave us input on what features we should have at the site. Special shout out to Deschutes Trails Coalition, Mt. Bachelor Play Forever Fund, and NewSun Energy, all of whom made major financial contributions to this project--much respect! This project cost over $50,000, and annual maintenance is anticipated to cost $15,000 per year. If you love Phil’s Skills Area--or any of Central Oregon’s trails and bike parks--we’d love for you to join the crew and become a COTA supporter. COTA is a nonprofit, and we rely 100% on donations from riders like you! Click here to donate--thank you! A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and made the completion of Phil’s Skills Area another incredible accomplishment for our team and community! Interested in donating your time or money? Head over to our website to learn more about becoming a member or volunteer! You can also follow us on Instagram (@cotamtb) and join our Meetup group to ensure you never miss our events. Looking forward to having you on the team!  Bend Oregon recently made Strava's top 10 list of mountain biking destinations! We are so stoked to have created a community where riding is not only appreciated, but thoroughly enjoyed. Feedback like this helps remind our volunteers, and members, that we're doing the type of work the community is asking for. Not to mention, the featured trail is none other than Whoops!
If you would like to check out the full top ten list of mountain biking riding destination, click here. Thank you to everyone involved who makes this work possible! Exciting news for bike park enthusiasts! Bike Park 242 in Sisters is receiving a major upgrade this spring. The upgrades are being spearheaded by Kyle Jameson of Black Sage Dirt Works, who is reshaping the jumps and pump track, and a team of dedicated volunteers who are working tirelessly to make the project a reality.
The Sisters Park & Recreation District has provided funding and technical support for the project, and Visit Central Oregon has also provided funding support. Thanks to their contributions, the bike park is set to become an even more exciting destination for riders of all levels.
Keep an eye out for further updates on the progress of the project, and don't forget to show your support for the volunteers who are making it all happen! Exciting developments are underway at Phils pump track and skills area. The project is being completed in phases, with the first phase already completed. To do the necessary work, heavy machinery was used to move dirt and do sculpting, which unfortunately meant that the smaller pump track had to be erased. However, the designer and builder Kyle Jameson of Black Sage Dirt Works, simply moved the smaller pump track next to the main jump lines so that people could enjoy both.
The old features of the track were smaller due to age and erosion. Therefore, after re-sculpting the tracks with fresh new dirt, the new features tend to be slightly larger, with the expectation that they will settle in the coming months. While the change may be somewhat jarring at first, it is all part of the process, and more exciting developments are on the way. Keep an eye out for further updates on this exciting project!
Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) is collaborating with Empowering Access to promote accessible mountain biking in Bend, Oregon. From May 1-14, a team of adaptive mountain bikers will assess 100 miles of trails for accessibility barriers. The team will ride trails and document key components such as trailhead accessibility, tread width, grade, and cross slope. This information will then be publicized so that adaptive riders can make informed decisions about what trails they would like to ride. Often, the biggest barrier preventing an adaptive mountain biker from accessing a trail is simply lack of information.
By increasing trail accessibility, COTA hopes to promote inclusivity and diversity in outdoor recreation. With the help of their partners and volunteers, they are taking the first steps towards creating an inclusive trail environment in Central Oregon.
This year, COTA's Fall Trail Love hosted over 105 volunteers for multiple trail work projects. We want to thank everyone who came out to support trails with us! It was a huge success and we could not have done it without you all.
COTA's maintains over 600 miles of singletrack, which as you can imagine, takes a lot of work to keep up with. As a mostly volunteer based organization, we need all the hands we can get to keep the trails riding smoothly. Big events like Trail Love are great for getting a ton of work done all at once, whilst bringing the community together. Check out the full recap from Central Oregon Daily News here! The Bend Sustainability Fund will award more than $1,000,000 to organizations in our local community working to protect, steward, and create sustainable experiences in Bend and the surrounding community.
COTA submitted an application to the Bend Sustainability Fund to improve the pump track at Wanoga Sno Park and add additional downhill trails to the area. Community support of these projects is important and by submitting your ballot, you will help influence how this funding is awarded. The community ballot for the Bend Sustainability Fund is now live, and will be open until midnight, September 25th.
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Bike Park 242 Revamp on Singletracks Podcast 
Alex Brieger in Singletracks podcast, "What's a MTB Trail Builder's Pet Peeve? Here are Two Big Ones" 
Phil's Skills Area and Pump Track Facelift 
Singletracks podcast featuring Emmy Andrews 
New article on Lemon Gulch featuring Emmy Andrews and Travis Holman 
New Article about Royal Flush with comments from Dan Youmans 
Emma Maaranen's article about Funner |
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