Denver is set to become a mountain biking hotspot with the grand opening of Ruby Hill Bike Park. This expansive 7.5-acre park is poised to be one of the largest public mountain bike parks in North America, offering a diverse range of features for riders of all skill levels. Just weeks before its official launch on July 23rd, a sneak peek revealed a park of impressive scale, thoughtful design, and breathtaking city views, promising to be a game-changer for Denver’s cycling community.
Deak Brown, Denver Bike Parks Operations Supervisor, provided an exclusive tour, showcasing the park’s near-completion as crews finalized irrigation, landscaping, and jump construction. Ruby Hill Bike Park is not just another park; it’s a significant addition to Denver’s recreational landscape and a testament to Denver Parks and Recreation’s commitment to outdoor activities. Anticipation is high for the grand opening, and a preview video here offers a glimpse into the park’s thrilling features.
Unveiling the Ruby Hill Mountain Bike Park Experience
Located in southwest Denver, the Ruby Hill Mountain Bike Park is designed to cater to both mountain bike and BMX enthusiasts. Spanning 7.5 acres, the park boasts an array of exciting elements, including a dedicated skills park for honing techniques, three drop zones catering to varying difficulty levels, four dynamic slopeside lines, exhilarating dirt jumps, and a pump track for continuous flow riding. Adding to the overall experience, a nearly two-mile loop trail encircles the larger 80-acre Ruby Hill Park, offering scenic views and extended riding opportunities.
When compared to Boulder’s well-regarded Valmont Bike Park, which features four miles of trails and wooden jumps, Ruby Hill Bike Park stands as a comparable, if not superior, facility. It significantly surpasses Denver’s original bike park, the three-acre Trestle Bike Skills Park at Barnum Park North, in both size and scope. This ambitious project is the result of a successful collaboration between the City of Denver and the Walton Family Foundation, highlighting a commitment to enhancing outdoor recreation in the city.
The park features some “named” jumps like The Whale’s Tail.
Ruby Hill Park: From Underutilized Space to Urban Oasis
The transformation of Ruby Hill Park into a vibrant recreational hub marks a significant revitalization of an underutilized urban space. This 80-acre park, previously known for its stunning city skyline views but relative inactivity, is undergoing a remarkable $1.8 million second phase of its master plan. This investment is injecting new life and “hip and funky” elements into an area that served as a dumping ground in the 1940s and 50s.
Beyond the bike park, Ruby Hill Park is receiving comprehensive upgrades, including volleyball and basketball courts, a children’s playground, and a community garden, fostering a diverse range of activities for the community. Phase three of the park’s development will introduce the Levitt Pavilion, a venue set to host 50 free outdoor concerts annually, further enhancing the park’s appeal and community engagement. These improvements build upon the established success of the Ruby Hill Rail Yard, which gained national recognition in 2007 as the first free urban terrain park for skiing and snowboarding, solidifying Ruby Hill as a year-round destination for outdoor recreation.
Deak Brown, Operations Supervisor for Denver Bike Parks, oversees the development.
Getting to and Enjoying Ruby Hill Bike Park
Ruby Hill Park is conveniently located between West Florida and West Jewell Avenues, offering picturesque views overlooking the South Platte River. The bike park welcomes visitors during daylight hours, operating without on-site staffing. It’s advisable to check for temporary closures due to severe weather conditions or scheduled maintenance to ensure an uninterrupted visit.
Jason Gardner of Jinji Cycles impressed with the park’s design and features.
Construction and Design Expertise
The Ruby Hill Bike Park is a product of expert design and construction. Progressive Trail Designs, an Arkansas-based firm with a Colorado office in Louisville, spearheaded the park’s design, ensuring a high-quality and engaging riding experience. Goodland Construction undertook the construction, with specialized sub-contracting by Alpine Bike Parks from Whistler, British Columbia, renowned for their expertise in mountain bike park development. Initiated in 2014, the planning and construction culminated in the park’s opening in July 2016, marking a significant achievement for Denver’s outdoor recreation scene.
Communications Manager Katie Bonomo observes the scale of the bike park jumps.
Enthusiasm for the opening of Ruby Hill Bike Park is high.
