Atlanta Beltline Partnership has received an $8 million donation from the Chestnut Family Foundation, marking a significant milestone in the fundraising efforts needed to construct a new bike park at Westside Park.
Planned features of the new park include 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails; challenging routes for advanced riders with rocks, steep drop-offs, tight switchbacks, and technical rock gardens; a low-risk bicycle playground tailored for young riders; and hiking trails.
The Chestnut Family Foundation, led by husband-and-wife Ben and Teresa Chestnut, partners with nonprofits that have demonstrated compassion and creativity in improving access and choice for children, according to a press release.
“We’re deeply committed to advancing the vision of the Atlanta Beltline at Westside Park, and we’re thrilled that this donation will give greater access to the sport of mountain biking to the people of Atlanta,” said Ben Chestnut, a co-founder and former CEO of MailChimp. “Westside Park is the perfect place to create new opportunities for residents to explore and enjoy the outdoors, fostering a love for biking in communities that previously didn’t include unique trails like this.”
Design concepts are currently underway for the park. The first phase of construction is expected to begin at the end of 2025. The scope of the first phase of construction will be funding dependent.
“The Bike Park will be a game-changer for the Westside,” said Atlanta Beltline, Inc.’s President and CEO Clyde Higgs in a press release. “This park is a critical component of Atlanta Beltline’s mission to provide equitable recreational opportunities and healthy lifestyles for all Atlantans. It’s not just about physical activity, but about creating a community hub that will create a passion for a sport that many people will enjoy for decades.”
For more information on the Westside Park Bike Park and to learn how to support it, visit beltline.org.
