KCV Celebrates Mortgage Payoff and Next Steps for Winona Lake Bike Park

August 27th, 2025

Kosciusko County Velo (KCV) Cycling is excited to announce Phase 1 funding for the Winona Lake Bike Park is complete and initiates fundraising for the next phases of bike park construction.

In 2021, KCV Cycling acquired 15 acres of land adjacent to the Winona Lake Mountain Bike Trails with the vision to build a comprehensive bike park for all ages that includes event space for Fat & Skinny Tire Fest and Winona Lake Trail Fest, pumptrack, skills zone, bike playground, jump lines, and more. Additional amenities include parking, a clubhouse with restrooms, and the opportunity for expansion of the Heritage Trail Greenway to neighborhoods southeast of the park.

Phase 1 fundraising commenced in 2021 to raise funds for the mortgage on the property and the preliminary design and planning of the bike park. Through personal donations, trail events, and grants from the Grace College Catalyst Corridor Initiative, the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission (KCCRVC), and K21 Health Foundation, KCV Cycling recently completed Phase 1 fundraising and has paid off the mortgage as well as completed the preliminary design of the bike park.

KCV Cycling is now launching Phase 2 & 3 to raise the estimated $3.2 million to complete the bike park. The Phase 2 goal of $1.7 million includes site preparation, gravel parking lot, bike playground, skills park, dual slalom, progressive jump lines and more. The Phase 3 goal ($1.5 million) includes a paved pumptrack, clubhouse and additional amenities, beginning once Phase 2 is complete.

“We’re excited to complete Phase 1 fundraising for the Winona Lake Bike Park,” said Mike Cusick, KCV Cycling President. “We’ve now paid off our mortgage and completed the initial design of the park. We are going to start building the bike park this fall while we continue to fundraise for the next two phases.”

Fundraising for Phase 2 has begun and includes $1 million in grant awards from the Grace College Catalyst Corridor Initiative. Site preparation will start this fall with Phase 2 bike park construction throughout next year. The remaining fundraising needs for Phase 2 will be in parallel with the bike park construction. KCV is inviting local contractors to contribute their skills and expertise to this endeavor.

“The Winona Lake Bike Park is a great addition to our community and region,” Rich Haddad, President & CEO, K21 Health Foundation. “It adds to the popular Winona Lake Bike Trails and connects to our greenways and neighborhoods. This not only provides additional healthy activities for our residents and will be a world-class place to introduce and develop the next generation of bike lovers.”

KCV Cycling is currently seeking donations, grants, and sponsorships for these fundraising phases. For more information on donating, please visit kcvcycling.networkforgood.com or contact info@kcvcycling.org.

About Kosciusko County Velo (KCV) – KCV is a volunteer-run, nonprofit focused on making Kosciusko County a great place to live, work, play and visit through bicycling. Going on its 22nd year, KCV hosts the popular Fat & Skinny Tire Festival, organizes additional events and riding opportunities for the public, educates elementary school students through the Tracey’s Trailer Bike Education Program, maintains the popular off-road trails in Winona Lake and is now planning and fundraising for the construction of the Winona Lake Bike Park. For more information, visit www.kcvcycling.org.