The Atlanta Beltline Partnership announced earlier this week that they have become the recipients of an $8 million donation, a contribution that will be used to fund a highly anticipated bike park in Westside Park.
The financial donation comes from the Chestnut Family Foundation, an organization led by husband-and-wife team Ben and Teresa Chestnut that partners with nonprofits that demonstrate “compassion and creativity in improving access and choice for children in the areas of health and the performing arts.”
Westside, a former quarry that currently serves as Atlanta’s largest greenspace, was chosen for the base of the project due to its “central location, bike connectivity, outstanding amenities, forest canopy, and unique topography,” said Brett Davidson, executive director of trail advocacy organization MTB Atlanta, in a Tuesday press release.
“This park will serve as a crucial hub for learning, inclusivity in cycling, and passive outdoor recreation right in the heart of the city,” he added.
When fully funded, the park will serve as “one of the most unique and inclusive” biking hubs in the metro Atlanta area, according to the Beltline press release.
The proposed bike park plans to feature a variety of features. The most prominent announced by Beltline are 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails, designed for the enjoyment of various skill levels.
The trails will include a beginning and intermediate section furnished with berms, switchbacks and rollers, as well as a gravity trail for advanced riders that will include features such as natural and built obstacles, tight switchbacks and steep drop-offs.
A pump track, a skills course, hiking trails, and a bicycle playground for children are a few of several other amenities that are planned to be featured at the park.
In a recent press release, Ben Chestnut expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with the Beltline.
“We’re deeply committed to advancing the vision of the Atlanta Beltline at Westside Park, and we’re thrilled that this donation will give greater access to the sport of mountain biking to the people of Atlanta,” he said.
According to Tuesday’s release, the bike park will serve as “to key to realizing the Atlanta Beltline’s vision of making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive and sustainable life.”
“This park is a critical component of Atlanta Beltline’s mission to provide equitable recreational opportunities and healthy lifestyles for all Atlantans,” said Clyde Higgs, Atlanta Beltline’s president and CEO. “It’s not just about physical activity, but about creating a community hub that will create a passion for a sport that many people will enjoy for decades.”
Construction is expected to begin on the project at the end of 2025, with the first phase of developments being funding dependent.
