LANSING, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – The city of Lansing welcomed a new BMX pump track to the north side of town this week. It’s a new activity that city officials hope will provide an outlet for youth in the area.
“It’s a lot of fun and fun,” said Ryker, Roman and Otto, who were burning some rubber on the new BMX track for the second day in a row. “It’s really fun and, honestly, good.”
The new setup, located in Gier Park, features two circuits: one with gentle hills and one with more intense slopes. The track is made of asphalt that the city reused from an old parking lot in the city. The city of Lansing contributed $100,000, in addition to $16,000 from the Lansing Sports Commission.
“This is something that anyone can relate to; obviously, like most recreation, you can take something that’s very simple, as far as a regular bike that you have, and then you can go from there, said Brett Kaschinske, director of Lansing’s parks and recreation department.
Kaschinske said the course is also designed for a range of skills.
“This is something that people can do in their wheelchairs, especially at this lower level, and that appealed to us as well,” he said.
After a few violent months In Lansing, officials hope the tracks will provide an outlet for young people to try something productive and new.
“We have a diversity of recreational activities for a diverse population – that’s really our mission,” Kaschinske said.
