Amanda Purcell reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the Columbia County Mountain Bike Alliance, a nonprofit cycling group, is raising $14,000 towards an off-road cycling park in Greenport. The town has set aside an acre behind Greenport Town Park, at 413 Joslen Blvd. next to the Greenport Conservation Area, for the pump track and bike skills park. “A pump track might look like a pile of shaped dirt to nonriders, but this pile of dirt can pay huge dividends to the community in improvements for the lives of our young (and old) residents,” said Zach Feuer, one of the Alliance's organizers. Jim Martinez, who designed the Cunningham Bike Park in Queens, has designed this one, and the group has already raised $5,000. “I live in Hudson near the firefighter’s home [FASNY Fireman’s Home] and have two kids who ride bikes,” said Erica Nance. “They pedal around the neighborhood and at the skate park, but are limited by asphalt and road traffic. Being able to ride at a park, away from the traffic, would be so welcome.” The Columbia County Mountain Bike Alliance accepts donations on its Facebook page. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.