The team at Cleveland Brothers is known for putting in the work, and sometimes that means helping others play.
That’s why the company is now helping to build “the region’s biggest playground for bikes,” according to Mike Carroll, president of Trail Pittsburgh, the nonprofit group leading the project.
Located in Allegheny County’s sprawling South Park, adjacent to the popular wave pool, the project just broke ground after more than two years of planning and fundraising efforts. Trail Pittsburgh volunteers spent recent months clearing the area by hand.
This “Skills Park” area will feature multiple trails, or “lines,” of varying difficulty. The easier lines will help prepare riders of all ages to develop skills and confidence, while the more challenging lines will be built with more experienced riders in mind.
Carroll describes it as BMX meets mountain biking, with the area being created and maintained by the nonprofit in partnership with local government.
The South Park project will mirror an existing space in North Park, but larger. The first phase will create drop and jump lines; an enduro trail, rock gardens and a paved pump track are in the long-term plans.
As one might imagine, building the dirt landings and ramps necessary for the Skills Park area involves a great deal of earthmoving. And while construction partners Ramp Union and Burly Built are designing and building the park, Trail Pittsburgh is relying on equipment from Cleveland Brothers to do the heavy lifting.
“Without the equipment, the project would take three months instead of a week,” Carroll said. “It enables us to be a lot more efficient and more professional.”
According to Andy Gaslevich, Construction Equipment Sales Manager, that equipment includes a Caterpillar 259D3 Compact Track Loader, a Caterpillar 306 CR Mini Excavator, a Toro Dingo TX 1000 and a Wacker plate compactor.
“It’s really exciting to be a part of a community-oriented project like this,” Gaslevich said. “The Trail Pittsburgh team works very hard to create these amazing spaces and facilities, and making that work a little easier with our high-quality machines is a meaningful way to give back to our community.”
Carroll expects the first phase of the project to be completed next year as Trail Pittsburgh continues a capital campaign for the overall project. To learn more about their work, click here.
For your short-term projects, skip the investment in new or used equipment—consider renting.
