DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department has been lauded for its successful initiative to engage local youth in outdoor activities. The Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association recently awarded the department the Award of Excellence for their pioneering youth bike program.
Launched last year, the program has already impacted over 400 young riders. “It’s fantastic to see kids outdoors and engaging in activities together,” said Sam Werle, Recreational Specialist. “Many families might not have the skills or knowledge to safely navigate our trails. We aim to develop these skills with our certified instructors and foster a new generation of trail riders.”
The program’s mission is to encourage children and families to explore Duluth’s extensive parks and trail system. It offers after-school biking lessons for students eager to learn the sport.
“Our Mountain Bike grant covers all activities in this program free of charge. We’re removing barriers related to equipment access and professional instruction,” Werle explained. “We want to help participants feel comfortable in our outdoor spaces and encourage them to enjoy our parks and trails with friends and family, even beyond our program.”
The staff provides participants with high-quality bikes, helmets, and protective gear. Recently, they collaborated with the Gary-New Duluth Boys and Girls Club to further extend their outreach. Mabel, a young rider, shared her enthusiasm: “I love biking so much. I ask my mom every day if I can go out on my bike. We have a great trail near Ely’s Peak that we enjoy.”
Looking ahead, the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department plans to continue its free biking programs into the fall. On August 27, they will host a “Share the Shred” event in collaboration with Spirit Mountain.
Despite the challenges some trails may present to novice riders, Mabel has a motivational message: “Always tell yourself, ‘I can do this,’ and never give up.”