The City of San Luis Obispo Ranger Service has been hard at work building new trails, improving existing ones, and teaming up with volunteers to keep expanding trail connectivity and accessibility to support biking, hiking, and outdoor enjoyment for all community members. See a recap of all the things Rangers have been up to in the past month!
MTB Skills Camp Event
Kids ranging from 7 to 12 years old worked through skill stations across the loop, focusing on four foundational riding techniques guided by patient, energetic coaches. To ensure the event was accessible to everyone, loaner bikes and helmets were provided, lowering barriers so kids from underserved parts of our community could join in on the fun. Young riders practiced, built confidence, and celebrated with a final parade lap. Along the way, they picked up bike maintenance tips, component know-how, trail etiquette, and played some awesome bike games.
Young riders got to ride alongside Cal Poly’s mountain bikers, SLO Riders Club, and NICA athletes. The stoke was real!
None of it would have been possible without our amazing community partners — thank you to SRAM, Bike SLO County, Cambria Bike, Arts Cyclery, and Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers.
This was just the beginning. Staff are excited to grow the event next year and keep building the community that makes San Luis Obispo so special.
Laguna Lake Bike Park
Jumps, More Jumps, and Signage!
With the final installation of updated signage, Phase 2 construction of the Laguna Lake Bike Park is officially complete!
While riders have been enjoying many of these features already, final completion wrapped up recently with the fine-tuning of a few specific jumps. Phase 2 features include:
- Progressive Jump Line: Designed to challenge riders and help them safely build and improve their skills.
- Expert Jump Line: A fast, high-flying line where experienced riders can have an absolute blast.
- Mulch Jump: Equipped with a soft, woodchip landing to ease mistakes, making it the perfect spot to practice new tricks.
What’s Next? Construction is already underway for a beginner jump area featuring small rollers and jumps to help young and novice riders learn the basics of catching air. Progress on this new area will continue over the next several months based on availability of volunteers and materials.
More info can be found on the Laguna Lake Bike Park project page.
Laguna Lake Bike Park Wins CPRS Award of Excellence! 
Every year, the California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS) District 8 recognizes outstanding facilities, – programs and people through its annual Awards of Excellence program. In November of 2025 the Laguna Lake Bike Park was honored with the Award of Excellence in Design: Facility & Park Planning!
Here is a quick look at how this award-winning project came to life:
The City of San Luis Obispo Ranger Service addressed illegal mountain biking in Irish Hills Natural Reserve by creating a sustainable alternative: a community-designed mountain biking skills area. Instead of relying solely on enforcement, they engaged local riders, families, and partners to collaboratively plan and build the facility. Constructed by City staff and volunteers using donated materials, the project transformed an unused parcel into an inclusive, low-cost recreation space for all skill levels. It protects sensitive habitats, promotes outdoor activity, and fosters stewardship. This innovative effort now stands as a model of thoughtful design, community engagement, and ecological responsibility.
Trail Experience by Design:
A System Wide Approach to Trail Construction
Join City of SLO Ranger Service Trail Project Lead, Niels Grether, for an inside look at the philosophy and design shaping our local trail network. Showcasing the evolution of the Ranger Service trail construction program, this presentation goes beyond basic construction techniques to explore sustainable design and the multi-use philosophy guiding our newest trails. Learn how thoughtful planning creates vastly different trail experiences, why a diverse mix of trail types is essential for a successful network, and how these principles support the rigorous ecological stewardship at the core of our historic program.
Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, SLO
Thursday, June 11, 2026
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
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