Peiffer Memorial Arboretum and Nature Preserve Inc. has exciting news in store for those who love mountain biking - and those who aspire to give it a try.
Four different organizations have teamed up to build a new mountain bike course on five acres of nature preserve land in New Cumberland.
A Cedar Cliff High School teacher hatched the idea two years ago thanks to his outdoor education students.
“Listen to teenagers. Teenagers have awesome ideas and they just need help sometimes. I just listened to what they wanted and I found that answer for them,” said Brian Mellot, a coach and physical education instructor at Cedar Cliff.
“I was able to introduce all of these parties to each other and we were able to come up with this plan to provide something in New Cumberland that isn’t there yet,” said Mellot.
At first, David Peiffer, executive director of the Peiffer Memorial Arboretum and Nature Preserve opposed Mellot’s idea.
Peiffer’s non-profit corporation was organized in 2013 to honor the memory of his parents Howard and Rosemarie Peiffer for their commitment to land preservation and agriculture.
“My first immediate answer was no definitely not. This is a recreational property for hikers,” said Peiffer. “It’s to preserve the existing florals and trees. I immediately felt threatened by the idea of bicycles on the property.”
But when Mellot ran into multiple roadblocks, he didn’t take no for an answer according to Peiffer.
“He appealed to me that young people today aren’t getting the exercise. They’re sitting in front of their TVs and cell phones,” said Peiffer. “It really played on me because I have five kids and I know what they do... and they don’t get out.”
The mountain bike course will be named in memory of Evelyn G. Sharp, one of about two dozen Women Air force Service Pilots selected to fly P-38s to ferry aircraft during World War II. She perished in a plane crash on the property in 1944.
“We believe this is another reason to remember Evelyn Sharp because history in this part of the world, maybe not Nebraska but here in central Pennsylvania... they forgot Evelyn and we don’t want people to forget her,” said Peiffer.
The biking site will be parallel to the Borough of New Cumberland and I-83 in Lower Allen Township. It will be approximately two miles in length and will be suitable for young people and beginners.
Peiffer said he wants young people to get outside and get active.
“We want people to know that there is another avenue of recreation planned for the community and we think that it will be an asset,” said Peiffer. “We also think it will be another reason for people to put down their cell phones and Game Boys to come out and get some exercise.”
West Shore Composite Mountain Bike Team from Mechanicsburg will be instrumental in providing the expertise in building and maintaining the course. Also, Medard’s House youth center will offer a staging area for bikers and parking for the public. The mountain bike course will be separate from the hiking trails and admission is free.
The mountain bike course is slated to open in 2023.
READ MORE:
Construction begins on new retail facility at large mixed-use development
New Chick-Fil-A, Dollar General locations, plus 18 other projects proposed for central Pa.
Ad Choices