Inside INdiana Business is reporting that the city of Lebanon is partnering with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association and California-based Hilride Progression Development Group to develop a destination bike park and trail system. The city says Stone Eater Bike Park will feature professional mountain bike racing, competitions and will serve as an event venue.
The park is being designed as a family-friendly riding hub for the local community, as well as a destination riding area for the more than six million mountain bike enthusiasts in the Midwest region. The city says the park will also serve as a national model, event venue and training facility for NICA leagues, teams, coaches and student-athletes from around the country.
“We are excited to be a part of this collaborative process with the city of Lebanon. The number of riders participating in NICA continues to grow which demonstrates the tremendous interest in and love for the sport. We are committed to investing in projects like this and look forward to seeing ridership continue to grow in Indiana,” said Steve Matous, NICA president.
Plans for the park include five miles of all-weather, cross-country trails designed specifically for NICA sanctioned racing, training and special events. The city says the park will also include four progression-based bike park riding areas including a kids track, a pump track, jump park, and skills area for riders of all ages, skills, and abilities.
The park and the ground on which it will be constructed will be dedicated in honor of Native American Chief Stone Eater. Chief Stone Eater was a Chief of the Wea People, and a War Chief under the Tecumseh Confederacy.
The Wea Tribe of Indiana as well as the Peoria Tribe of Indians have offered their formal endorsement in association with the naming and dedication of the park.
The development team will work with the Wea people and the Peoria Nation to ensure the dedication is respectful of the heritage and legacy of Chief Stone Eater and the native people of the area. The city says it will include the development of informational and interpretive park exhibits celebrating Chief Stone Eater and the Native American Heritage of the area.