What started as a simple sketch on the back of a napkin has turned into a major recreation destination, according to the Portage Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club.
A grand opening celebration was held Saturday, May 31 for the club's new Bike and Activity Park.
“I’m very thrilled and very relieved that this could all happen,” notes Gary Bergen, president of the Junk Yard Dogs. “Three years ago this was some sketches on the backside of a napkin. And that idea just kept growing.”
Bergen says the group felt it was finally time to celebrate the milestone.
Blair Geisel, the club’s past president and chair of the Activity Park Committee, shares how the idea originally came to life.
“This got started four or five years ago,” Geisel says. “Trevor Shackleton had the idea that we needed a bicycle park in Portage la Prairie, and I thought that was a great idea. I was president at the time, and so I took up the banner and here we are.”
He adds that the club’s membership has grown alongside its trail system.
“We are probably one of the largest bicycle hiking clubs in the province,” Geisel remarks. “We survive almost solely on our membership, which is where we are a pretty functional and can do a lot of things for our members.”
Designed for everyone, all year round
The park is located on a former landfill site just off Old Bridge Road, now transformed with purpose-built trails designed by professionals. The site offers trails for hiking, trail running, and biking, catering to a range of experience levels.
“These trails, we call it an activity park, because it’s not just biking, it’s much more,” says Bergen. “They’re all designed to be engaging, to be safe and to help people develop their skills.”
Geisel outlines the variety of trails available to users.
“It ranges everywhere from green, which is easy, blue, which is intermediate, and black, which is very difficult,” he explains. “Kids on a push bike can even ride here. The green features are quite easy, there are rollers, small berms, little tiny jumps, up to the black, which people jump right across the Sea-Can.”
He continues, “There’s something for everybody. It’s interesting, I’m surprised at how many hikers come here, because not only do they walk the trails on the bike park, but there’s a whole trail system just south of here that people walk.”
Bergen mentions the space has year-round potential, including continued use as Portage’s traditional toboggan hill in the winter.
“This year we even put up a snow fence and that actually kind of retained snow on the hill,” he adds. “Also, some winter biking, snowshoeing, there’s lots of activity that way.”
Local rider Tyler Prince gave his input during the event.
"The trails over here are very fun," he said. "They did a very good job at making the jumps."
Built for Portage and beyond
With more than $500,000 invested in the site, the project required a careful approach due to restrictions on disturbing the former landfill.
“It took a lot of care to work with a landfill site where we couldn’t do any digging into it,” says Bergen. “We had to bring all of our fill in to make these trails.”
Bergen continues, “A bike trail that makes sense is worth a lot. We had some experienced trail designers set this all up.”
The park’s professional design is credited to DIG Trail Design, a company based in Trail, B.C., with experience working across Manitoba.
“They did the Squirrel Creek Trail system in Minnedosa,” Geisel mentions. “They’ve also done some of the additions to the Neepawa Bike Park.”
Portage city councillor Faron Nicholls also shares his first impressions at the opening.
“It’s spectacular, honestly,” Nicholls says. “I have not stepped foot in here when construction started till today and I was gasping when I came over the top of the hill and looked at what’s not far from my own place.”
He adds, “It’s amazing, the work, the commitment. You know what they’ve done here to take this vision and put it into fruition is absolutely phenomenal.”
Nicholls notes the project is a major win for the community.
“On behalf of the city, we’re just so excited for this endeavour,” he continues. “It just lends itself well to a spot to come to and a spot to be a part of here in Portage la Prairie.”
Provincial support helps bring vision to life
Trails Manitoba, one of the park’s key funders, provided over $55,000 toward the project through its Trails Now program.
“This park is absolutely outstanding,” says Tim Coffin, executive director of Trails Manitoba. “You know, we talked about reclaiming landfill sites, this is a prime example of what we should be doing here in Manitoba and for all that matter across the world.”
Coffin shares that Trails Manitoba has funded many projects across the province, but he sees this one as a standout.
“This is top notch,” he continues. “There haven’t left any rock kind of covered or uncovered. The trails are really good, really smooth. I’m super stoked to be having to come here this morning to actually give it a ride.”
He adds, “We’re super excited to be a part of this outstanding project led by the Portage Junk Yard Dogs and the City of Portage la Prairie. I think this is going to lead to many adventures and usage for years and years to come.”
Trails Manitoba Board Member Dave Ternier believes the new activity park will help draw cyclists from larger centres like Winnipeg.
"There was the occasional thing at Riding Mountain before, now you can hit Portage of Prairie, then you can hit Neepawa, then you can hit Minnedosa, then you can hit Riding Mountain. This has become a critical point. Just start pulling people from the city and then having them explore further so it's just perfect placement."
Celebrating the supporters
The grand opening featured guided tours, a ribbon-cutting, guest speakers from the city and province, and a draw for a new mountain bike.
“We really want to recognize the contribution of ARC Industries at our event to provide the BBQ,” says Bergen. “It’s really neat to be working with another community organization that also has similar goals of serving the community.”
He adds that the morning is also a time to thank the sponsors and show them where their support has gone.
“Kevin and Iris Yuill, private donors, did some major help to get this started,” Bergen says. “I must mention the City of Portage la Prairie has been so cooperative.”
He remarks, “Their sponsorship also makes this a free park to everyone. It’s like a city park.”
A large billboard has been installed at the park to recognize all of the sponsors and partners that help make the vision a reality.
Bergen also credits Trails Manitoba, noting that the project fits well with its mandate to develop trails across the province.
Geisel says the turnout exceeded expectations.
“I was blown away,” he says. “When you arrange an event like this, you have no expectation of how many are coming. We had a great response, and everybody seems very happy with it.”
Nicholls agrees, adding, “We can’t say enough about, you know, the donors that have contributed, the contractors. Everyone that’s had a piece in this, it’s heartwarming.”
Looking ahead to the final touches
Though the trails are complete and open to the public, the project has one final phase to wrap up.
“We have a trailhead aspect that is all designed. It’s just sort of wandering through some of the red tape of permitting and licensing,” says Bergen.
Planned additions include two small shelters, a permanent toilet, and improved signage, including trail maps.
Bergen says the club will pause after that to see how the park is used and how it might grow from there.
JYD offers more than just trails
The Portage Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club (JYD) is a community-focused organization dedicated to promoting physical and mental health through outdoor activities. They maintain a 12-kilometre all-season biking and hiking trail system along the Assiniboine River, which is groomed in winter for fat tire biking, snowshoeing, and hiking.
The club also grooms classic cross-country ski trails on the Portage Golf Course. Membership sales fund the construction and upkeep of these trail systems, with membership required for access.
The Kids of Mud program teaches cycling skills and racing to kids 16 and under. As a community cycling club, they organize weekly training sessions, group rides, races, and coaching, encouraging members to ride for fun and fitness.
Serving not only Portage la Prairie but the wider Central Plains region, JYD aims to make Portage la Prairie one of Canada’s most bike-friendly communities.
To access the Portage Junk Yard Dogs trail systems, membership is required. The club offers flexible options including a $10 day pass, a $45 individual membership, and a $75 family membership for those living in the same household.
All memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
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