Covington Bicycle Park and Playground holding grand opening Friday

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Last September Covington Parks and Recreation Director Joe Mack announced the city’s plans to construct a bike park.

The idea was to open it three months ago, but COVID-19 pushed those plans back. Now, however, it’s ready for riders.

The Covington Bicycle Park and Playground will hold a grand opening on Friday, July 17 at 3:30 p.m. It’s located adjacent to Cobb-Parr Memorial park on 83 acres of rolling hills surrounded by trees.

A mountain bike will be raffled off and loaner bikes and helmets will be made available to those in attendance. Bike the Planet, a bike shop in Memphis, will be on hand offering free repair services.

“Basically,” Mack said, “we will be introducing the course to everybody.”

A half-mile dirt course surrounds a smaller area designed for children that has culverts, small ramps and a pump track.

The project was made possible by a $232,000 grant through the Tennessee Department of Health’s Project Diabetes Initiative.

Mack said one of the missions of his department it to make better use of existing space and get more people outdoors.

“What I envision is a family that, in addition to going to the square and shopping for antiques, they spend a part of their day outside getting in some physical activity. They load up their bikes on the bike rack and head to the park. I see teenagers riding around, jumping around and the smaller kids the park. Just spending the day doing something healthy with your family.”