Carpenter-Ridgeway Park - Bike Playground and Skills Track

Madison Parks, in cooperation with the City of Madison Planning Division, is proposing a bike skills park and playground at Carpenter-Ridgeway Park.

Madison received federal Community Development Block Grant dollars to support the creation and implementation of the Hawthorne Truax Neighborhood Plan (2023). The Carpenter Ridgeway neighborhood, along with a number of other community stakeholder groups, participated in prioritizing projects for the plan, and adding youth recreation facilities was often cited as a significant need. Through outreach and cooperation with Madison Parks, a bike skills track delivers on community feedback and desire for recreational bike amenities.

Bike skills tracks, like the one proposed at Carpenter-Ridgeway, can be comprised of one or two short loops that take riders 1-2 minutes to complete.  They can incorporate features such as wooden ramps, rollers, pump track-style trails, bridges, jumps, and wall rides.   These features help riders of all abilities and skill levels develop confidence and balance on bikes and build ability and confidence.

Similar projects have been completed in municipalities like Green Bay and La Crosse and have been popular park and neighborhood amenities.

The City of Madison plans to hold a public meeting to discuss the project and details, dates, and times will be posted on this page when known.

Construction would likely occur in 2026 or 2027.

The image shows a conceptual plan of a bike skills track with photos of trails, bridges, and jumps.