Barranquilla continues its preparations for the 2027 Pan-American Games with the construction of a 5.4-kilometer-long cross-country type mountain biking track at the Bosque Urbano de Miramar, (the Miramar Urban Forest), which is currently under construction. According to the mayor’s office, the track is 60% complete as of June 2023.
Mayor Jaime Pumarejo Heins, along with members of his team, inspected the ongoing project, which will be the first of numerous venues that will host the 2027 Pan-American Games.
The mayor highlighted that the hiking area and outdoor nature area will benefit city residents. This project adds to Barranquilla’s commitment to sports and environmental conservation.
“Another nearly finished green space of almost 30 hectares is ready for all Barranquilleros, a tropical dry forest that rescues this important ecosystem for the Colombian Caribbean region. It will have a camping area, a picnic area, a 4-kilometer hiking trail, and a 5-kilometer mountain biking track, which will also be the main venue for the Pan American Games,” said Pumarejo.
He added, “This new venue will be a green space close to our homes, and this year we will inaugurate it so that all Barranquilleros can enjoy this great natural space.”
Sports and the Environment
The Bosque Urbano de Miramar project includes a total of 30 hectares of tropical dry forest with 4 kilometers of pedestrian trails, a mountain biking track, camping area, picnic spots, and an improvement of the flora and fauna to enhance the region’s offerings.
The venue will have three buildings for entry, distribution, operation, and part of the security of the park before accessing the mountain biking track and pedestrian trails. It will serve as a connecting space between nature and sports, equipped with administrative areas, a small theater for award ceremonies, parking, and restrooms. The hiking area will adhere to all safety protocols.
The mountain biking track will feature obstacles such as rock gardens, technical uphill sections with roots, technical descents, jumps, drops, and bridges. It will also have spaces for technical support during competitions, mobile structures for athletes, judges, medical facilities, as well as bathrooms and stands at the finish line for competitions, among other amenities.
