Blog: South Waterfront Blog

Urban Wilderness Gateway Park Phase 1 Update: Bike Park, Infrastructure Nearing Completion

Aerial view of the nearly-completed Baker Creek Bike Park

As recently as eight months ago, people could look at renderings and only imagine what the Urban Wilderness Gateway Park might look like.

But now, the contractor team has built much of the park’s skeleton. Asphalt trails have been laid. The Baker Creek Bike Park, with its ripples and jumps and banked curves, has taken shape.

“This bold, community-driven and community-inspired concept has suddenly started to become a reality,” Urban Wilderness Coordinator Rebekah Jane Montgomery said. “There is a lot of excitement in our community to see this project come together. From kids and families to professional riders, everyone is eager to soon enjoy the newest amenities of the Urban Wilderness.”

The first two components of the $10 million first phase of the Urban Wilderness Gateway Park project are progressing on schedule. Look for this initial work to be completed throughout this summer.

Baker Creek Bike Park
Status: Wrapping up final details, installing signs
Estimated opening: Early summer 2020

The Baker Creek Bike Park will provide riders of all abilities opportunities to learn and perfect their mountain-biking skills. The bike park will offer a large asphalt pump track as well as several jump and skill lines of varying difficulty levels. There will be a kid-sized asphalt pump track – the perfect size for introducing and developing biking skills.

The bike park’s design will complement the existing features of the Urban Wilderness trail system, while also utilizing materials conducive for use in all weather conditions and requiring minimal maintenance.

The project team is led by Scott McClure with Charles Blalock and Sons Construction, paired with IdeRide trail builders, including Knight Ide, Ryan McEvoy, Matt Gilbertson and Steve Estabrook.

Urban Wilderness Gateway Park infrastructure
Status: Ongoing and on schedule
Estimated opening: Mid to late summer

This Phase 1 component is more general and overarching – it’s literally the framework for the whole gateway park. This includes parking, connector roads, greenways and utilities – providing the infrastructure to make a seamless connection to the southern terminus of James White Parkway under the Sevierville Pike overpass.

An improved access road with a separated paved multi-use path will connect the park to South-Doyle Middle School via Decatur Drive, improving school access and also providing the opportunity for shared parking.

This portion of the project is also expected to be complete this summer.

Additionally, Phase 1 features a separated multi-use path along Cottrell Street. A paved greenway, Baker Creek Greenway, from the Baker Creek Bike Park and the Baker Creek Preserve will connect to the new Gateway Park at the James White Parkway terminus. A connection will then follow along Cottrell Street and connect to Anita Drive and the South Waterfront area.

Two views: Enhancing the trail system around Baker Creek Preserve, South-Doyle Middle School and the Gateway Park entrance

The new Urban Wilderness Gateway Park will serve as a front door to the 1,000-acre Urban Wilderness recreation area. Visitors can create their own self-guided adventure.

Once the infrastructure is in place, the real fun can begin: Phase 2 inprovements will include rebuilding the adventure playground at Baker Creek Preserve and adding restroom and shade structures, picnic areas, play features and gathering spaces at both Baker Creek Preserve and the new Gateway Park entrance at the end of James White Parkway.

Posted by evreeland On 18 May, 2020 at 12:49 PM