Town Demolishes Kids’ Homemade Bike Jumps After One Injury, Leaving Parents Furious

For years, a wooden mountain biking spot has been a beloved spot for children to spend years building jumps and practicing their skills. Now, however, it has been partially demolished by a Rhode Island town, and both parents and young riders alike are speaking out.

Crews in Barrington removed homemade ramps and other structures from an unofficial trail network after an 11-year-old rider was injured from colliding with a tree. The town says the structures presented safety and liability concerns.

Parents who regularly brought their children to the trails have a different—and brand new—concern: the demolition left behind debris, including pieces of wood with exposed nails. They argue the area has now become more dangerous since the town intervened.

The back-and-forth dispute comes amid a longer debate around providing safe yet engaging outdoor environments for children to play in while enjoying the benefits of nature.

According to WPRI 12, which interviewed local families and town officials, residents are now pushing for a solution that preserves opportunities for mountain biking.

Parents Say the Removal Has Made the Area More Dangerous

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Jim Konz, a parent whose children use the trails, told WPRI that the demolition had made riding difficult. Broken-down structures and discarded building materials were left alongside portions of the network.

Another parent, Michelle Ristuccia, questioned why one injury had prompted the removal of an entire recreational area. She argued that accidents can happen in many places where children play, including sidewalks and other public spaces.

Families also emphasized the friendships and practical skills children developed while working on the trails. Konz explained that building the obstacles was an important part of the experience, giving young riders opportunities to work together and learn how to construct the features they used.

Town Officials Say Safety Concerns Prompted the Demolition

The makeshift, informal network of dirt trails and wooden jumps had developed over several years in a wooded area between County Road and Prince’s Pond. Young cyclists both used the obstacles to practice riding techniques and spent time constructing and maintaining the features themselves.

Town Manager Phil Hervey told WPRI via phone interview that officials had actually not known about the trails until the recent injury brought the area into the spotlight—and to their attention.

Despite being located on town-owned property, the network was tucked away from the areas officials regularly monitored. Public Works Superintendent John Renquinha acknowledged that his department could not inspect every section of town-owned conservation land.

“But right now, it’s just not a practical thing for us to do and the cost of that, and the limitation of resources we have would be definitely a problem,” he explained.

The town also raised the issue of insurance coverage and responsibility for injuries. Hervey explained that officially maintained recreational facilities undergo inspections, while the homemade mountain biking structures did not have the same oversight.

“This site is not part of that coverage,” said Hervey. “Playgrounds get inspected by the trust every year and all these facilities are insured and maintained by the town.”

The disagreement comes as Barrington continues investing in recreational infrastructure elsewhere in town. Its 2026 recreational trail improvement plans include new and upgraded pathways near Prince Pond, although those plans do not indicate approval for the homemade mountain biking structures at the center of this dispute.

Hervey told WPRI that the town was open to discussing a formally approved mountain biking location. Residents have continued advocating for the young riders, although no agreement to restore the demolished features or create a replacement course has been confirmed.

Barrington’s Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which advises town officials on cycling projects and policies, is scheduled to meet on Nov. 16. Although the demolished trails have not been confirmed as an agenda item, the meeting could provide another opportunity for residents to raise concerns about the future of mountain biking in town.