The City of Lebanon, Indiana is pleased to announce an innovative partnership with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), the National governing body for Interscholastic Mountain Bike Racing in the United States, and award winning design firm Hilride Progression Development Group for the design and development of a world class bike park, destination trail system and professional mountain bike racing, competition and special event venue to be called the Stone Eater Bike Park. (More About Chief Stone Eater)

The park is being designed from the ground up as a family friendly riding hub for the local community, a destination riding area for the more than 6 million mountain bike enthusiasts in the greater Midwest region and as a national model, event venue and training facility for NICA leagues, teams, coaches and student-athletes from around the country.

Featuring 5-miles of innovative all weather, purpose built XC trails with plenty of berm turns and flowing terrain designed specifically for NICA sanctioned racing, training and special events, the park will also include 4 progression based bike park riding areas including; a kids track for the very youngest riders, a pump track, jump park, and skills area for riders of all ages, skills, and abilities who are looking to progress their skills to the next level.

Professional event venue infrastructure including; expo areas, start/finish gantry, awards podium, and race safe signage are integrated with the trail system and riding areas to enable streamlined and safe event production and to serve as a keystone racing and training facility for NICA.

With the all-weather trail system designed to provide true 4-season riding and sustainable conditions year round the park is designed to become the go to riding destination and event venue in the region, when all other areas are forced to close for days, weeks and even months at a time due to rain, sleet, snow or otherwise poor conditions.

The City of Lebanon believes that this project has the unique opportunity serve the local community by providing families with new opportunities to get out and get active, and to support the development of the Lebanon Composite Mountain Bike Team, which will compete in the NICA Indiana Project League.

“We are excited to be a part of this collaborative process with the City of Lebanon. The number of riders participating in NICA continues to grow which demonstrates the tremendous interest in and love for the sport. We are committed to investing in projects like this and look forward to seeing ridership continue to grow in Indiana.”

-Steve Matous, NICA President

“The investment we are making in this park will benefit the health and wellness of our community. We are always striving to develop new quality of life initiatives for our citizens and we couldn’t be more excited for the partnership with NICA and the opportunities this will create for our community and the region”

-Matthew Gentry, Lebanon Mayor

“As a father, NICA coach, and resident of Lebanon I am very excited about this project, the opportunity to partner with NICA, and what this amenity will mean for my family.”

-Kevin Krulik, Lebanon City Engineer

The park and the ground on which it will be constructed will be dedicated in honor of Native American Chief Stone Eater. Chief Stone Eater was a Chief of the Wea People, and a War Chief under the Tecumseh Confederacy. Chief Stone Eater was an important historical figure and leader with ties to the larger Miami Nation, and this region of the state. Chief Stone Eater played important roles in the War of 1812, the Battle of Tippecanoe, the Siege of Fort Harrison, and beyond, including his role in several key armistice and treaty agreements.

The Peoria Nation is the federally recognized representative of the original Wea people. The development team will work with the Peoria Nation to ensure the dedication is respectful of the heritage and legacy of Chief Stone Eater and the native people of this area. This will include the development of informational and interpretive park exhibits celebrating Chief Stone Eater and the Native American Heritage of this area.

Lebanon is centrally located in the region just minutes north of Indianapolis. The park is located 2 miles northwest of Lebanon on US 52 and will be free and open to public during regular park hours and each of the riding and venue areas can be rented out for special events ranging from large scale national elite level racing to riding camps and skills clinics to birthday parties.

The project development team is currently seeking corporate support and sponsorships, through financial and in-kind contributions toward the park development. Those interested in supporting these efforts or looking for additional information should contact the City of Lebanon, City Engineer, Kevin Krulik PE PS AICP at 317-697-9780 or [email protected].