Vermonters transform community park

“We try to make the bridges unique to bring people into the park. The bridges are a draw themselves,’’ says Michael Smith, a fortysomething computer consultant who was riding his mountain bike and cutting trails in the area long before the park was officially created.

Now a leader of the nonprofit Pine Hill Partnership and one of the park’s “architects,’’ Smith helps to coordinate efforts of the city’s Recreation and Parks Department and local volunteers to enhance Pine Hill through trail design and maintenance, bridge construction, and natural art installations of rocks and trees.

The idea for developing the park came about after a 2001 plan to build housing on the site met with opposition from residents. Officials later suggested the possibility of making enhancements to the city-owned recreation land, and this led to the formation of a group to push the effort. Since then, the partnership has made steady improvements to the park.

Today, as many as 1,000 people a week enjoy the trails during peak times, according to city officials.

Rutland’s Mary Anne Levins uses the park year-round. Her two college-age children did volunteer trail maintenance, and now she and her husband, Jim, take their two adolescent children on the trails.

“We run, we bike, and we hike,’’ Levins said. “There are a few special trails I like to run. There are some little gems tucked away in there.’’

The park, which is adjacent to ballfields, a skate park, and an ice rink, hosts events, trail days, and races throughout the year. A large map at the trailhead provides a general overview of the winding trail system with its many roller-coaster lines, hairpin curves, and berms that propel bike riders on with a powerful push of force.

Loop options are many and trails bear distinctive names such as the rising and falling Escalator, tapered Svelte Tiger, and meandering Droopy Muffin. The fractured ledges over round Rocky Pond are a fine resting spot with undulating mountains in the distance. Stegosaurus along the park’s far boundary offers a wild ride on the aptly named path that is also home to the hour-glass bridge. Both Dewey Wood and Watkins Wood roads are good bailouts for riders aching from the shifting and braking. But advanced riders must be sure to twist and shout on sidewinding Halfpipe, a challenging romp through the woods in a park that packs quite a punch.

Marty Basch can be reached through www.onetankway.com.