Bike riders in Arlington have a new playing field to enjoy, as the new Hills Hill Bike Park in Arlington Heights is opening to the community this Saturday, Sept. 6.
This town’s Parks and Recreation Department has been developing this project since 2023, when Arlington voted during the annual Town Meeting to give $400,000 in Community Preservation Act funds towards the new bike lane and park. Engineers from Weston & Sampson were brought on board to design the project.
The new park area offers wooden wall-rides, jump lines, a dirt pump track as well as features for beginner riders to practice. The park is located behind the Ed Burns Arena, adjacent to Summer Street.
The grand opening is scheduled that Saturday at 10 a.m. Free coffee and donuts are expected to be served for those arriving early. Guests are encouraged to bring their bikes.
According to the project website, the idea to develop a new bike area came after the community noticed teens creating their own bike trails in the woods during the spring lockdown of 2020. The bike park was designed to serve all ages, however, the park was created primarily for teen usage — as the recreation department believed many in that age group had outgrown Arlington’s public gathering spaces.
Hill’s Hill Bike Park was constructed in an attempt to combat the teenage mental health crisis and provide a community outside of social media.
Additional information about the project development and new bike park features is here >>
This story, published Sept. 3, 2025, will be updated.
