Holliston has long been cherished for its scenic Charles River Rail Trail and abundant green spaces. Now, the town is gearing up for an addition to its outdoor recreational offerings: a new community bike park – a dedicated space where riders of all ages and skill level can come together to enjoy biking in a purpose-built environment.
The idea has moved beyond casual conversation and garnered official town support. The Select Board has backed the bike park concept, identifying a town-owned parcel at 260 Woodland Street as an ideal site for development. Preliminary plans call for a pump track, skills areas, jump lines, and other features for a wide variety of riders that encourage bike skills and outdoor engagement.
“We have an incredible system of sports fields, hiking trails and of course our Rail Trail; the bike park would be a perfect addition to that,” said Mark Frank, Holliston’s Director of Recreation.
“And like the other activities we have in town, this would serve kids and adults.”
A New Destination for Riders
Unlike Holliston’s existing Rail Trail — the multi-use pathway that serves walkers, runners, dog walkers, and cyclists — the proposed bike park is intended to offer a more dynamic, bike-focused experience. Bike parks differ from standard dirt or paved trails in significant ways: they can include dirt tracks, pump tracks, berms, jumps, and flow trails designed to build confidence and encourage progressive skill development.
“Purpose-built bike parks offer a controlled environment where novice riders can learn and grow, and more experienced riders can push their skills in a safe, community-oriented setting,” said Mike Carvalho, a Holliston resident who has been instrumental in pushing the project along.
“We are working with Avid Trails, a planning, design and construction firm that has been building bike parks and trails for more than a decade,” Carvalho added.
The final layout decisions have not been finalized, but early conceptual ideas showcased during local meetings paint a picture of an inclusive facility that appeals to a broad cross-section of Holliston residents.
Community Support and Collaboration
Support for the bike park has been notably broad. In addition to the Holliston Select Board, School Committee and the Parks and Rec Department, local advocacy groups have gotten on board. Partnerships with volunteer groups and regional chapters of trail organizations, notably the New England Mountain Biking Association (NEMBA), offer a foundation of expertise in trail stewardship and outdoor recreation development. NEMBA has offered to help with building and upkeep, but the park would be managed by the town.
“The goal is to create a space that becomes central to the Holliston experience, and builds on what already makes our town great, including our Rail Trail,” said Georganna Woods, president of Friends of Holliston Trails, one of the volunteer groups helping to fund and promote the project.
The project is expected to cost upward of $650,000 for designing and building the site, including all necessary environmental studies and mitigation. Much of that money would come from Community Preservation Act funds and state and federal grants, with the remainder coming from local fundraising efforts. In similar projects across Massachusetts, towns have leveraged MassDOT and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) funding programs to help construct shared-use paths and recreational facilities. The Friends of Holliston Trails has also put up $10,000 in a matching grant, which would be the final push to pay for the project.
Benefits Beyond Recreation
Beyond serving as a recreational hub, the bike park has potential benefits for community health and economic vitality. Bike parks can draw visitors from neighboring towns and regions, increasing foot traffic to local businesses and fostering a stronger identity around outdoor activity. They also provide a space for physical fitness and skill building — important components in public health strategies aimed at increasing active lifestyles. The current Rail Trail already draws thousands of users every year.
Looking Ahead to Opening Day
“If all goes well,” Carvalho said, “we hope to open the park in September, just in time for back to school. With the park located right on the trail, and across the street from the Robert Adams Middle School, we hope this can be a way to help parents understand that having their kids ride to school can be a safe option.”
As of now, plans for the Holliston bike park are advancing steadily, with town committees meeting regularly and planning discussions continuing throughout early 2026. The town’s Parks and Rec Committee and advocates will present a more detailed plan at the annual town meeting on May 11.