Kids learn skills, resilience at Green Street Bike Park

On a recent afternoon, Green Street Bike Park was filled with kids racing along trails, flying over jumps and executing tricks like the whip, bar turn and wish wash.

“I love hitting the jumps,” said 8-year-old Will Holland, peering out from under his dusty bike helmet.

“You can really catch some air,” added his twin sister, Marie.

Members of the They Ride class in the Green Street Bike Park ride the trails. CURRENT VIDEO & PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER

“I like the feel of the trail and the rush when you’re in the air,” said Mason Yount, 8. “It’s just so fun.”

Mason Yount, 8, catches air as he masters a jump in the Green Street Bike Park. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER

The kids, ages 8-11, were part of a mountain biking class led by Chris Field and his company They Ride. Field is a teacher at Tower School. This summer, he’s partnering with Marblehead Recreation and Parks to offer a mountain biking camp at the bike park in July. It’s for kids in grades four through nine.

“The kids love it,” Field told the Current. “They look forward to seeing other riders, the camaraderie of it.”

Teacher Chris Field, back row, is shown with his They Ride class at the Green Street Bike Park. Field is leading a mountain bike camp this summer.

At one point, Will Holland takes a spill, and Field goes to check on him. Before Field arrives, Holland is on his feet, dusting off his knees.

Marie Holland, 8, approaches a jump in the Green Street Bike Park.

“There’s a lot of resiliency in this sport,” Field said. “You learn how to get back up.”

The park has about 1 mile of interconnecting trails and 20 features, including jumps, bridges and berms. It also has a dedicated space, the Strider Zone, for new bikers.

“It’s a safe way to get them introduced to the sport,” Field said.

They Ride offers classes for different age groups, including a Rail Trail program for kids in grades one, two and three that teaches them how to ride on sidewalks and the rail trail, and how to navigate crosswalks.

Older kids interested in mountain biking learn about shifting gears, proper brake use and jumps.

Not long ago, the lot at the corner of Green Street and West Shore Drive was unused, overgrown and littered with trash.

Two years ago, a group of volunteers cleaned up the site and opened Marblehead’s first bike park. It’s a very popular spot, according to Field.

The park is unsupervised and open to all, from 8 a.m. to dusk.

To learn more about They Ride’s summer camp, visit marbleheadma.gov/recreation-parks-department. To learn more about They Ride, contact Fields at [email protected].