Auburn highlights Cedar Lanes bike-park programs, warns continued operation depends on new funding

Julie Krueger, director of Parks, Recreation, presented an update to the Auburn City Council on Aug. 25 about the Cedar Lanes Bike Park redevelopment and the city’s expanded youth bike programs, and said the programs are currently sustained by grant funding and community partners but need more long‑term dollars to continue. "We serve 369 individual kids in the program with 1,122 kids checking out a bike," said Kirsten Lang, recreation coordinator and acting recreation manager, during the presentation.

The city has redeveloped Cedar Lanes over the past five years in phases. Krueger told the council Phase 1, begun in spring 2022 or 2023, completed four skills areas (a skinny zone, a drop zone, a jump line and a dirt single track flow trail). Phase 2, completed in 2024, added a picnic shelter, a restroom and what the presentation called the first asphalt pump track in Western Washington. The pump track allows riders to gain momentum without pedaling by "pumping" with their arms and body.

The programs now offered from the site include Summer Ride (started 2023), a mobile "learn to ride" approach that provides bikes, helmets and instructors; a multi-week bike‑building and skills program the presenters…