ROSCOMMON — Finally, it’s here. After years of planning, grant work and plenty of local elbow grease, Roscommon now has a brand-new recreation area built for kids — and kids at heart.
The Roscommon Area Recreation Authority (RARA) recently held a grand opening for the Roscommon Community Park and Pump Track, transforming the old village park into a lively, modern space designed for year-round fun.
Thanks to an $820,000 grant from the state’s Land and Water Conservation Fund, the park now features a 21,000-square-foot asphalt pump track built for bikes, scooters, skateboards and even wheelchairs. The track has already become a magnet for local youth, giving them a safe, fast and smooth place to ride.
A pump track is a continuous loop of rollers and banked turns that lets riders build momentum through body movement instead of pedaling — a simple design that creates big-time fun. The new track is open to riders of all ages and skill levels, from little ones just learning balance to seasoned riders looking for a challenge.
Sue Jock of RARA and Navigator Wireline served as the master of ceremonies during the opening celebration. She praised the many volunteers, contractors and community partners who helped bring the project across the finish line. She also credited the Roscommon Rotary Club for providing a significant portion of the matching funds required for the grant.
“We couldn’t have done any of this without them,” she said to a bundled-up crowd of about 100 people who gathered on a frigid Saturday morning to witness the ribbon cutting.
Metro Park also includes a BMX library, offering bikes that anyone can borrow and use within the park at no charge. Local businesses pitched in to support the project, reflecting the strong community spirit behind the build. Additional improvements — including new lighting and a covered picnic pavilion — are underway.
More upgrades are expected in the coming months. Stay tuned to UpNorthVoice.com for updates.
