Tuesday, February 17, 2026–9:30 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Pump Track at Ridge Ferry Park.
Attendees will gather at 10 a.m. in the area adjacent to the sand volleyball court.
The ceremony is expected to last about an hour.
“It’s typically a four-week build time, weather permitting,” said City of Rome Transportation and Trails Planner Julie Smith. “I’m going to say, please join us in a month. See you back here in a month, and bring your bike, your rollerblades, or your scooters.”
A pump track is a looping trail for bikes and scooters. It has banked turns for easy flow. No pedaling – just pump and ride. Pumping is using your body’s up-and-down motion to build speed and keep momentum without pedaling.
“The beauty of a pump track is that it’s inclusive and everybody can use it, and you don’t have to just be on your bike,” Smith said. “You can walk it, or skateboard. I’ve seen some people on the trails on rollerblades. Also, it’s for kids using the Strider bikes without training wheels. It’s a great place for little kids to learn bike-handling skills. You know, we talk about the 8 to 80 age range, but really, it’s even more like from 2 years old to however old you want to be, to be on the pump track.”
Smith added that pump tracks promote fitness through play.
“You are going through those moguls, if you will, and you are using your upper body,” she said. “The goal is not to peddle as much, so it’s a great cardio workout too.”
The project is funded by TRED of Rome-Floyd County, SPLOST, and the City of Rome.
