Flagship REI Store Backs Seattle Bike Park

IMBA Trail News
Volume 19, Number 2
Summer 2006

Seattle's Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club (BBTC) has spent the last two years building one of the country's most unique riding areas. Situated under the deck of Interstate 5 in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood, the Colonnade Mountain Bike Park will provide riders with technical trails in the middle of the city.

REI, whose flagship Seattle store is only blocks from Colonnade, has supported the BBTC's effort. So far, the club has received three REI grants totaling $20,000. The latest, administered through the Seattle Parks Foundation, is helping construct a community gathering area in the middle of the park where neighborhood residents can relax and take in the action around them. Equally important as the cash, REI's grants have also helped BBTC leverage additional money from other sponsors, including the Bikes Belong coalition, and several municipal sources.

"REI has been instrumental in making this project happen," says BBTC Volunteer Director Jon Kennedy. "Their sponsorship has not only provided much needed funding, they've also been immensely helpful in getting volunteers out to workdays."