WINONA LAKE — Development of a bike park near the Grace College athletic fields by the Kosciusko Velo Cycling Club is picking up speed, and much of the construction could be underway this year.

Mike Cusick, president of the KVC, says they’ve already benefited greatly from two sources — Lilly Endowment and the Grace College Catalist Corridor program — and recently received more good news from the  K21 Health Foundation.

KVC has already paid off the land purchase (phase 1) and has begun initial work on Phase 2, which includes key parts of the park.

The funding goal is $1.75 million, and Cusick said support through a matching grant from K21 Health Foundation would put the project in a strong position.

"So if we raise $375,000, they’ll match it and we will have that, in conjunction with the Catalyst Corridor, will give us the funds that we need to complete phase 2,” Cusick said in an interview with News Now Warsaw earlier this week for In The Know, the public affairs show you can hear on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

Cusick and Rob Bishop, both of whom also happen to be on the Kosciusko County park and recreation board, talked about numerous bike-related issues.

The bike park, located along Pierceton Road, was proposed in 2023.

“It’s moving as fast as we hoped it could,” Cusick said. “It’s really going to come down to being able to complete as much of the park as we can.” 

Once complete, the bike park will become a big part of the annual Fat & Skinny Bike Fest, and organizers are confident it will become a regional draw.

KVC celebrated the latest good news with a news release issued on Thursday.

"The Winona Lake Bike Park will be a great resource to promote healthy outdoor activities for residents in our community and region," said Rich Haddad, President & CEO, K21 Health Foundation, in the news release.

"We’re excited to support this phase of the bike park and look forward to seeing the whole community come together to make the Winona Lake Bike Park a reality,” Haddad said.

Phase 2 construction began in January with the clearing of brush and undergrowth in the future wooded trail sections. Site preparation will continue this spring for drainage, utilities, and adding and shaping dirt to change the elevation profile of the bike park.

Sections of the bike park will begin taking shape this summer, with expected completion of Phase 2 of the Winona Lake Bike Park in early 2027, pending the completion of this fundraising round.

"Once we've raised these funds, the Bike Park will open by early next year, and we can start fundraising for our final phase for a pump track and clubhouse facility."

The third phase will involve the construction of a Pump Track and Pavilion.

KCV Cycling is currently seeking donations, grants, and sponsorships for these fundraising phases. For more information about the Winona Lake Bike Park and donating, please visit kcvcycling.networkforgood.com or contact info@kcvcycling.org.

Other topics discussed on the radio show:

• Plans for a bike trail from Winona Lake to Pierceton are progressing.
• Officials want to see a bike lane be part of at least one underpass or overpass design if and when US 30 is reconstructed.
• State and federal funding have essentially dried up, but Bishop said they can turn to other sources.

*  *  * 

In The Know can be heard at the following times:

News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.

WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

Willie (103.5 FM):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

The post Bike park funding gets a big boost with K21 Health Foundation matching grant appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

[caption id="attachment_93220" align="alignright" width="240"] Mike Cusick[/caption]

WARSAW — The Fat and Skinny Tire Fest begins Friday morning and continues through the weekend in Warsaw and Winona Lake, and organizers are seeing signs that it could be bigger than ever.

The nineteenth annual bike festival is already considered to be the biggest in the Midwest and organizers point to several reasons for optimism heading into the three-day weekend event.

Organizers said they’ve seen an uptick in the number of volunteers as well as additional support from merchants in downtown Warsaw as a result of the new alignment with Third Friday and bike-related activities on Friday night.

[caption id="attachment_93221" align="alignright" width="240"] Greg Demopoulos[/caption]

The bike festival kicks off Friday morning with bike-to-work activities starting at Lite Rail Cafe in Winona Lake and outside of Courthouse Coffee in downtown Warsaw where bicyclists will gather before heading off to work.

Festival co-directors Mike Cusick and Greg Demopoulos think the combining of bike activities with Third Friday that will include live music and additional food trucks will draw more people to the downtown.

Last year saw a full post-pandemic return with more than 2,300 participants, 7000 spectators and 300 volunteers and officials anticipate bigger crowds this year.

"I think, with some good weather, the focus of Third Friday and that crowd into the addition of the cycling crowd, we have an opportunity to see a very large group Friday night," Cusick said during a an interview for In The Know, the public affairs show that airs this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

Official opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. at Trailhouse Bicycles in The Village at Winona before a massive bike ride begins a 2.5-mile ride to downtown Warsaw where criterium races around the Kosciusko County Courthouse and a BMX bike stunt show begin at 7:30 p.m.

This year marks the first year for the newly established DORA districts in both Warsaw and Winona Lake where adults will be able to purchase alcohol in specialized cups from participating businesses and vendors and take them outdoors — anywhere within the district — and watch races.

The new policy means beer tents won’t be needed, which will make it easier on race fans to watch what’s happening.

"We're very interested to see how this works out this year," Cusick said."Certainly, it makes planning much easier for us. Previously, we'd have to have a beer tent ... and it actually kept some of those spectators away from the race," Cusick said.

"I think the crowd's going to really like it because it does give a lot more freedom to roam around with a drink in hand, perhaps, and with their family and really go to different points of the course and see the action," Cusick said.

The festival website has links to keep updated on any changes, the need for volunteers and a complete list of events.

Cusick says social media is probably best for quick updates.

The post Fat & Skinny Tire Fest organizers see multiple reasons for optimism appeared first on News Now Warsaw.