September 25, 2025 -The Decatur Park District has announced the opening of a brand-new Bicycle Skills Course for children, designed to help young riders gain confidence, improve balance, and have fun while learning the rules of the road.
Located directly adjacent to the traditional bike trail, the new skills course provides a safe, contained environment for children to practice riding before joining their families on longer trail adventures. The course features a variety of obstacles and challenges — including gentle turns, balance areas, and simulated street crossings — all built to encourage safe riding habits and improve cycling skills.
“This new course is the perfect complement to our existing trail system,” said Executive Director Clay Gerhard. “It gives kids a fun and safe place to build confidence while providing families another reason to get outside and enjoy our parks together.”
With the addition of this course, Decatur families can now enjoy a full spectrum of cycling opportunities — from beginner riders learning the basics to seasoned cyclists exploring miles of scenic trails.
The project was designed by civil engineering firm Fehr Graham, constructed by Entler Excavating and Dunn Company.
The course is free and open to the public during regular park hours.
