Local leader from Picuris Pueblo proudly unveils newly constructed bike park
The picturesque Picuris Pueblo in New Mexico is now home to a state-of-the-art All-Wheel Park, a testament to the Pueblo’s commitment to outdoor recreation and youth engagement. Funded in part by a $500,000 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant, the park is a culmination of a vision to create a top-tier venue for bike and skate sports [1][2].
The park, which officially opened on July 19, 2023, is a hub of diverse world-class amenities. It features a World Championship Certified pump track, a skate park, an Olympic trampoline zone, and a bike park with intermediate-to-pro lines, massive jumps, and drops. The bike park boasts three jump lines, an airbag jump, and a Red Bull-certified pump track, making it one of the most advanced parks in the Southwest [1].
Craig Quanchello, the lieutenant governor of Picuris Pueblo, has long been a proponent of such facilities. His dream of big air started in the '70s when he and his friends rode bikes and created jumps. He described the new park as needing to be "something that they work up to and something worthy of competition" [1].
The park is designed to cater to a wide range of abilities, from beginners to seasoned professionals. It also aims to attract bikers from around the country, with Picuris aspiring to become a destination for mountain biking in the Southwest. The park's design was influenced by skimming through pamphlets featuring BMX riders flipping and tail-whipping off jumps, similar to the ones now at Picuris [1].
The park is part of a larger initiative that started with building a skate park in 2022 and added a bowl to the skate park in 2023. The park's construction was entrusted to Santa Fe- and Chimayó-based builders Rocket Ramps, who were awarded the contract to design and fabricate ramps for the Picuris All-Wheel Park [1].
The Picuris All-Wheel Park is more than just a recreational facility. It serves as a lasting community legacy, engaging local youth and attracting international attention. The park's grand opening ceremony was attended by local dignitaries and tribal leadership, and it welcomes riders of all abilities to participate in competitions such as the Jump Jam, with cash prizes and celebration festivities including food, vendors, raffles, and live music [1].
Non-tribal residents pay a $10 entry fee, which supports the Picuris Pueblo Boys & Girls Club. The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division is excited about the park, viewing it as a significant step in increasing outdoor access for New Mexicans and benefiting the whole region [1].
Craig Quanchello, who still rides his bike, hopes that tribal youth today will find the inspiration to aim high, just as he did in his youth when he aspired to gain entry to the X Games. The Picuris All-Wheel Park is a testament to the Pueblo’s commitment to fostering a love for outdoor sports and providing opportunities for youth to excel [1].
References: [1] Picuris Pueblo Press Release, July 19, 2023. [2] New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Press Release, July 19, 2023.
The Picuris All-Wheel Park, now a hub of diverse world-class amenities, offers not only local news about outdoor recreation but also attracts attention from the international news scene, showcasing the Pueblo's commitment to lifestyle activities like sports, skate, and technology-driven bike sports. As the park caters to a wide range of abilities, it serves as a springboard for local youth to showcase their skills in competitions like the Jump Jam, fostering a love for outdoor sports and a chance to excel, much like Craig Quanchello's dream of gaining entry to the X Games.
