2025: Year in Review
This past year was a big one for Grande Ronde Gravity. Throughout the year we ran the BMX library most Wednesdays and Saturdays from 3-6pm. Countless kids and adults got to experience the new pump track. We heard from quite a few parents that their young one learned to pedal for the first time on the library bikes. And a bunch of kids regularly showed up every week to ride.
Along with the regular library programming, we secured a few big grants, made progress on a new jump park, hosted some big community meetings and local BMX jams, rebuilt a jumpline and scouted new trails, and generally just spread the stoke for riding bikes.
We owe a huge thanks to all the volunteers that make this possible, the businesses and individuals who’ve supported our work, and all the riders who show up for our events.
January
GRG volunteers participated in the Travel Oregon Recreation Ready program. Our project, to develop a jump park in La Grande, was one of four across the state accepted into this new program. Phase one of the program ran from December 2024 - June 2025.
April
Liberty Theatre Cafe sponsored trail build day reshaping the Honor Roll jump line into the first properly progressive beginner jump line in NE Oregon.
At the skatepark, volunteers put up temporary roofing over the seating area for shade and protection from the elements. This has since been removed for the winter, but the Parks Department is looking into more permanent options.
With the help of Travel Oregon and the Parks Department, we hosted a community meeting at Side A Brewing about the future jump park. The museum room was packed. We presented the potential sites for the new park, showed rough concepts of what it could look like, and heard from the community what they’d want to see. It was rad to see the community show up and show their support for this project. Two attendees left with new Fit Bike Co BMX bikes.
June
With funding from Travel Oregon and a generous discount from Loam Lander, we purchased an air bag landing so that we can put on jump clinics at the skate park.
With that funding we also expanded the BMX Library adding 4 more smaller BMX bikes.
July
GRG hosted our first BMX jam at the Pioneer Park skate park. The day’s festivities included a high jump & best trick contests and time trial races on the pump track. Over 50 people attended. No one got hurt. Many hot dogs were eaten. It was a great day. As part of the event, with support from Kali Protectives and Eastern Wheelworks, we gave away helmets to anyone in need. Contest prizes were generously donated by Cult, Fit Bike Co, and S&M Bikes.
September
We received a $100k grant as phase two of the Travel Oregon Recreation Ready program. Those funds will go towards planning and construction of the new jump park. We also partnered with local engineering firm Anderson Perry which generously donated time to help with some cost estimates for one of the potential park sites.
October
Working with the Parks Department, we were able to partner with the city and found insurance through AdventSure to bring the air bag landing to the park.
Our second BMX jam went off and the locals were stoked. With our new agreement with the city, we were able to bring out the air bag and unsurprisingly it was a huge hit. This round we had prizes generously donated from Demolition, Cult, Odyssey, and Eastern Wheelworks.
Taking advantage of the dry fall, a few of our trails folks scouted a corridor for a new blue downhill trail in MERA. More on that project in 2026!
November
Throughout the fall, we ran a community fundraiser to expand the BMX Library program. Individuals and local businesses donated $1560 to the cause of getting more kids on bikes!
December
Closing out the year, we received a Cycle Oregon grant to purchase a new home for the BMX Library. With those funds, we will soon have a shipping container down at the Pioneer Park skatepark to store our the library + other gear for jump clinics and jams.
2026: Looking Ahead
Thinking about what we might accomplish next year…
- Regular air bag jump sessions at the park
- More BMX library days with longer hours
- Dirt jump park
- Bike rodeo(s) at the local schools
- New DH trails in MERA
So many possibilities! We would love you to join us and get more involved.