New bike park opens in Santa Cruz County

Bunny hops and backflips were in full swing Saturday at the new Polo Grounds Bike Park in Aptos.

“Polo Grounds is like the next cool thing in Aptos,” said bike rider Shiloh Clark.

At the grand opening of the progression park on Huntington Drive, dozens of bike riders were eager to show off their acrobatic skills while jumping from mound to mound.

“I think it’s a great idea. I love it,” said bike rider Maddie.

The park has three different lines, for beginner to advanced jumpers.

“It’s cool how you can push yourself from the little lines to the big lines,” said Clark.

The rebuilt bike park fills a void left by the loss of the Post Office Jumps Park, which was demolished to make way for the Aptos Village.

“We didn’t really jump when it was torn down,” said Dax Samples.

“I felt sad,” said Clark. “It was like my home, I loved it so much.”

But now, bikers said they are happy to have a new place to play.

“I like the other one a lot more because that’s where I grew up riding,” said Maddie. “So, I like that one a lot more but this one is now my favorite.”

The park will do more than just help sharpen their signature moves.

“The more they ride, the less they’re on the computers, the more exercise they get,” said Dave Smith with Shuttle Smith Adventures.

Plans are also underway to build a new mountain bike park as well.