The Northwest Georgia Chapter of the Southern Off-road Bicycling Association (NWGASORBA) and City of Dalton held a grand opening of the new Raisin Wood Mountain Bike Park in Dalton on June 6, 2009.

A number of people participated in the grand opening, including Saul Raisin for whom the park is named. Saul is from Dalton and was a rising star in the professional bicycling circuits until an accident cut short his bicycling career. Saul became an inspiration to all bicyclists as well as to the entire city. Others at the grand opening included Mayor David Pennington and former Mayor Ray Elrod, who were instrumental in providing the property for the mountain bike park.

NWGASORBA also presented a $2,500 check to the Dalton-Whitfield Boys and Girls Club and provided free helmets to those that attended.

Raisin Wood Mountain Bike Park is a collaborative project of the NWGASORBA and the City of Dalton.  Approximately 5 miles are currently open for riding.  Located on rolling terrain, trails are available for both beginning riders as well as more experienced riders. Bring the whole family! Grant funds for the park were obtained by the City from the National Recreational Trails Program. The park is open every day; however, riders are asked to respectfully stay off the trails when it is wet.

Conducted by the Northwest Georgia Chapter of the Southern Bicycling Association, this annual race is in its fifth year.  The time trial race is held on the first Saturday of January, February, and March. Conducted on the Pinhoti Trail in the Chattahoochee National Forest, riders have a choice of either a 34 or 17 mile route.  With an average attendance of 250 riders, this mountain bike race is becoming known as one of the most unique and challenging in the southeastern United States. (See www.nwgasorba.org for details.)

Brookwood Elementary School in Dalton, Ga. has recently gotten actively involved in the Safe Routes to School Program. Led by Principal Will Esters, the school has been sponsoring “Walk to School” demonstrations as well as a Bike Rodeo and other safety training programs for kids.

In addition, Brookwood Elementary, Park Creek Elementary (also in Dalton) and Tunnel Hill Elementary School (Whitfield County) have recently submitted applications for grants available through Ga. DOT’s Safe Routes to School programs to build new sidewalk, crosswalks and other bike and pedestrian improvements in adjoining neighborhoods to their schools.

City Park School in Dalton is joining the Safe Routes to School program for the 2008-2009 school year.