With a little free time in the morning a few days ago I finally made it down to 90th and France in Bloomington to check out the new-ish pump track / bicycle skills park at Tretbaugh Park. It was completed I believe last year, and replaced the broomball rinks where I used to play in high school.
The park is easily accessible by bike on bike lanes or trails on 90th St and on France Ave but also has a small parking lot. It has a shaded picnic area and port a potty restroom, and some hammock posts at the far end.
The bike park itself has a few courses. Before I could see it myself I was under the impression it would be very similar to Taft Park in Richfield with only single track dirt routes and high jumps, but was surprised by the amount of asphalt at Tretbaugh. It’s not bad, or at least I don’t have an opinion on it, just wasn’t expecting it.
A pump track is designed with lots of little hills or bumps which can be used with a pumping motion to propel your bike forward, similar to pumping your legs on a swing. Rather than pedaling with your legs you are using your arms and legs to rhythmically pump your body mass.
The smooth asphalt makes this easier and you can get some serious speed in short bursts. Naturally this leads to jumps, though not like you’d get at a BMX park.
While I was there on a Saturday morning I saw a few adults, an older elementary student, and a 5 year old on the youth track. The routes available seem very doable by even the earliest riders with a little confidence, and riding alongside more advanced riders really does help beginners see what is possible and inspire more.
I definitely recommend this bike park. If you want to check out more bike parks in the area, here is a little site I found recently that lists several others: https://www.mplsbikeparks.org/bike-parks. And look forward to a new course going in along the Minnehaha Creek at 34th Street.