BLAINE, Minn. – (Aug. 2, 2018) – A partnership between Anoka County Library, Anoka County Parks, and the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) is bringing bike racks and bike fix-it stations to library and park locations across the county this summer. The partnership focuses on creating healthier communities across Minnesota by expanding the opportunities for active living by reducing the barriers of transportation and increasing access to facilities and opportunities for walking and biking.
As part of the initiative, the St. Francis, Centennial, and Crooked Lake library branches and Bunker Hills Regional Park, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, and Riverfront Regional Park will all receive new bike racks. These bike racks will provide residents with a safe space to lock up their bikes while visiting these county facilities.
Additionally, bike fix-it stations will be installed at eight library locations: Centennial, Crooked Lake, Johnsville, Mississippi, Northtown, Rum River, St. Francis, and Columbia Heights. They’ll also be placed at three park locations: Bunker Hills, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, and Riverfront. These fix-it stations will allow patrons to make quick repairs to their bikes or add air to their tires free of charge before making a trip to their next destination.
“Adding bike racks and fix-it stations to library locations helps encourage more residents to utilize alternative ways of visiting the library,” said Anoka County Library Director Maggie Snow. “It’s another great example of how libraries transform communities outside their buildings.”
The Library and Parks Department will also work to provide special programs aimed at bicycle safety and repair to help educate the community on bicycling as a pastime and mode of transportation, as well as fat tire biking programs and demonstrations to encourage year-round biking as a healthy recreation opportunity. Installation will be completed and programming will be offered later this summer.
“Biking is a low-impact way to encourage a healthy lifestyle, while being able to explore and access unique facilities and destinations,” said Anoka County Parks Marketing and Visitor Services Manager Andy Soltvedt. “With these added resources, residents will be able to have new and exciting biking experiences throughout Anoka County,”
You can visit www.anokacountylibrary.org or www.anokacountyparks.com for more information.
