A ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony was held this afternoon for Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park, located at the top of Dennis Drive. The first phase of the park’s construction is complete, featuring seven single-track trails with varying degrees of difficulty and an asphalt pump track for riders of all ages and skill levels.

Grant Summers launched the project with an offer to donate more than 40 acres of land on top of Tannery Knob in exchange for a $540,000 investment in a bike park. The bike trails were designed and constructed by International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Trail Solutions and included mountain bike enthusiasts from the Tri-Cities chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) putting in countless volunteer hours.

“This is a landmark day not just for our city but the entire region,” said city of Johnson City Mayor Jenny Brock. “Avid mountain bikers already know and love it, and we want our citizens to become familiar with it too. There are biking trails for all levels, hiking trails for those who prefer to walk, and everyone can come to Tannery Knobs to enjoy best views in the entire city.”

The City-owned public park offers something for everyone. Beginners can ride the green trail that loops around the top of the knob, offering spectacular vistas of Johnson City, TVA Credit Union Ballpark and Buffalo Mountain. More advanced riders can choose between four intermediate trails, marked in blue, that include more technical sections while skilled riders can opt to ride the two most difficult black trails. The latter trails feature steep rocky areas, jumps and switchback berm turns.

At the top of the knob, adjacent to the gravel parking area is the paved pump-track. Built by Velosolutions USA, this feature allows users to ride to their ability and learn basic skills such as managing speed and momentum while maintaining balance.

“Our area has a wonderful mountain bike community,” said Brock. “We have seen that first hand with our mountain bike and multi-use trail system at Winged Deer Park. SORBA Tri-Cities has done a fantastic job in expanding the trails there and we are thrilled to be partnering with them in the maintenance of these trails at Tannery Knobs.”

Later phases of construction will include paving of the parking lot and restrooms.

For more information, visit www.ridetk.com.

CONTACT:    Jim Hughes, interim assistant director
                             Parks and Recreation
                             423.483.5838

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