New Bike Park Planned for Glendora’s South Hills Wilderness Area

The city of Glendora in Los Angeles County is set to transform a local tradition of makeshift bike trails into a professionally designed, family-oriented bike park slated for construction beginning next September.

The development, known as South Hills Bike Park, aims to formalize the long-standing but unofficial biking activities in the South Hills area, which the local community values for its rugged landscape and extensive trail network.

For years, the foothills of the east San Gabriel Valley have hosted a bustling bike culture. Many riders create their own “rogue” trails in areas such as Walnut Creek, Cataract Falls, and the South Hills Wilderness Area, colloquially known as “Honda Hills.”

However, these unsanctioned modifications have prompted the city to intervene, leading to the removal of these makeshift features and the initiation of a more sustainable solution.

According to Kelsey Fay, Glendora’s Management Analyst, the city responded to community calls for enhanced biking facilities by commissioning Avid Trails, a park designer, to develop the Glendora Family Bike Park.

Situated just off Glendora Avenue, this park will serve as a gateway to the larger wilderness area, offering various features tailored to various skill levels.

“The aim is to create a progressive bike park where families can come together, and riders can continuously challenge themselves and improve,” Fay told StreetsBlogLA. The planned park will be designed to accommodate all ages and abilities and include three jump lines catering to advanced, intermediate, and beginner riders, two pump tracks, and a climbing trail.

In addition to redefining existing paths for downhill biking only, the project will introduce a new multi-use connector loop trail, enhancing access throughout the wilderness area. The city also plans to preserve the entire 320-acre area for recreational use post-construction.

The project, estimated to cost just over $2 million, will be financed through a combination of a $1 million National Park Service Land and Water Conservation grant and $1.2 million in city funds.