![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Rockwood-mountain-bike-skills-park-2.jpg\")
One of the beginner obstacles found at the Rockwood Park beginner mountain bike skills trail. PHOTO: Submitted\/The Saint John Cycling Club<\/p>\nThinking about getting into mountain biking?<\/p>\n
Then it might be a good time to check out the skills park in Rockwood Park.<\/p>\n
Put together by the Saint John Cycling Club, the park recently got a refresh.<\/p>\n
Club vice-president Patrick Graves said it was due.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the years, it got really run down, weathered,\u201d Graves said. \u201cSome of the boardwalk features had begun to rot out.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2025, the club fundraised in order to give the park an update.<\/p>\n
The work wasn\u2019t completed until the late fall, so there was no opportunity to hold a grand reopening until now.<\/p>\n
So on June 7, the club is hosting a community celebration with riding, vendors and refreshments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re tying in our grand opening with our membership drive,\u201d Graves said.<\/p>\n
The skills park is considered a beginner circuit.<\/p>\n
Graves said that means small obstacles newcomers can learn to get over and learn in a safe environment.<\/p>\n
One of the beginner obstacles found at the Rockwood Park beginner mountain bike skills trail. PHOTO: Submitted\/The Saint John Cycling Club<\/p>\n
That includes rock features, wooden features where riders learn to balance that just a few inches off the ground, and beginner jumps.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn recent years, there\u2019s been some local companies just start mountain bike coaching,\u201d Graves said. \u201cSo having the facility for people to learn these skills was definitely a need.\u201d<\/p>\n
The skills park is meant to be welcoming and accessible, Graves said.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s located near Rockwood\u2019s campground and horse barn, making it easily accessible for people.<\/p>\n
He said once a rider gets comfortable, they can take those skills out to other, more advanced trails around Saint John and the surrounding area.<\/p>\n
Graves said a lot of the work the club has done wouldn\u2019t have been possible without the support of the City of Saint John.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe city has been really awesome, working with Saint John Cycling and allowing us to develop and fundraise for these multi-use and mountain bike-specific trails in Rockwood Park,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Since the club started in 2014, Graves said it\u2019s raised about $400,000 for trail infrastructure projects in Rockwood Park, including the skills park.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project reflects what community cycling is really about,\u201d he said. \u201cCreating spaces where people can learn, ride and feel part of something.\u201d<\/p>\n
The June 7 event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Information can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n More information about the Saint John Cycling Club can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bryan Tait is an award-winning journalist based in New Brunswick. He\u2019s a 2008 graduate of St. Thomas University\u2019s journalism program, and a 2021 graduate of the University of New Brunswick\u2019s law program. Contact Bryan at taitb@radioabl.ca.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Bryan-Tait-sq-150x150-1.jpg\")
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