Big Creek Park opens Geauga County’s first public mountain biking trail
Northeast Ohio’s newest mountain bike trail is now open in Geauga Park District’s Big Creek Park – and it’s one that’ll be fun for experienced mountain bikers and first-timers alike!
Geauga County’s first single-track mountain bike trail was added to this park in Chardon Township thanks to a partnership with the Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA), which developed and laid out the trail with the help of the Park District’s in-house construction crew.
The trail itself is 2.05 miles, with hikers sharing the space for just over a half a mile. Direction of travel changes daily to foster even wear of the trail; please consult signage for guidance when you arrive. The trail map published at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/
“We’re really excited to work in cooperation with CAMBA, and really appreciated all the time and expertise they volunteered,” said Director of Planning & Operations Matt McCue said. “They did a great job with some of their members helping.”
CAMBA Treasurer Mike Ryba said his team surveyed the land multiple times, identifying points that were the most attractive and those that needed to be avoided.
“Then you are trying to ‘connect the dots’ while avoiding wet and flat areas,” he said. “Natural surface trails are sensitive to compaction and erosion, so we try to stay high and dry, all the while creating a trail that’s fun to ride at both slow and faster speeds in either direction.”
That’s a lot of variables to consider, he acknowledged, but he said it was a pleasure to work with Park District staff – even on the hottest days of the summer.
“Big Creek’s new trail would be considered a ‘traditional’ trail with some modern touches,” Ryba said, “meaning there is minimal disruption of the natural resources, so the rider gets to see the best Nature can offer. Difficulty-wise, it would be considered on the easy side of intermediate.”
The master plan for this park calls for more trail in the future, which would lean more toward intermediate difficulty. Already a review by the YouTube channel The Dirty Reviewer has given this trail a 3.5 out of 5 rating, placing it above average, on account of its great potential.
CAMBA’s mission is to create, preserve, promote, protect and enhance diverse and enjoyable trail experiences for mountain bikers throughout Northeast Ohio. Learn more at https://camba.us/wp.
Big Creek Park is located at 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon Township. With questions, please call 440-286-9516.
For more on Geauga Park District offerings, please call 440-286-9516 or visit Geauga Park District online via www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
