Fall is here, the weather is gorgeous, and its time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors! Truman Lake Mountain Bike Park is the perfect place to get out and experience the scenery and nature that Warsaw area is so well known for. Located off of North Dam Access Road, turn north on Benton House Avenue, and follow road to the park entrance (where the pavement ends).
Warsaw Parks and Recreation will be sponsoring two events in the new park so be sure to mark your calendars! Saturday, October 4, 2008 we will join the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) in celebrating “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day”. Bring your bike, your kids and let’s have some fun from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This event is open to all age groups.
Our second event on Sunday, October 12, 2008 is “Mountain Madness” the first mountain bike race to be held at the new Truman Lake Mountain Bike Park. The course has great downhills, challenging climbs and sweet single tracks, and is open to all age groups. For more information on either of these events contact Mac Vorce at 660-438-5522, or go to www.welcometowarsaw.com and download a brochure from our calendar of events.
Truman Lake Mountain Bike Park began development in 2002 when a couple of people received approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clean up some old access roads to use for mountain bike riding. After completion, a learn to ride mountain bike class was offered through Warsaw Parks And Recreation, this eight week class brought 5 riders together ages 10 to 62 years old. This new group or cyclists, with approval of the Corps of Engineers, installed a 1.5 mile single track trail moving the total mileage of trail to 2.5 miles. The enthusiasm grew and soon the Truman Lake Bike Club was formed.
With the support of local circuit judge, Judge Burditt, individuals needing to obtain community service hours could do so working on the trails. This helped to install another 2 miles of trail in a short time.
The Truman Lake Bike Club formalized the volunteer user group permit with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers early in 2008, which allows the continuation of trail installation and maintenance. thus creating the Truman Lake Mountain Bike Park. With the city, county, and state working together with the Truman Lake Bike Club the future goal is to reach about 25 miles of mountain bike trail within two to three years, this would link three areas together Warsaw, Sterett Creek, and Tebo Creek.
These trails are located 3 miles from downtown Warsaw and will be linked into the future Warsaw Trail system. The Parks and Recreation of Warsaw and the Truman Lake Bike Club continue to put on different style events to help raise funding for proper signage and the growth of these trails.