Sandusky pump track now open

SANDUSKY — The community celebrated the grand opening of Sandusky's pump track on Friday.The pump track encourages the use of scooters, roller blades and bicycles. "It's basically for anything with wheels," said Tom Ritzenthaler, a Sandusky resident who started a volunteer initiative to construct the track behind the Sandusky Skate Park off Meigs Street.Ritzenthaler teamed up with Sandusky's recreation department along with Tyler Trueman, who works for Cedar Point's All Wheel Sports stunt show, to make the pump track a reality for the community. "About three years ago, I started talking to the city when they built the skate park, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that. It's a good collaboration with a lot of people," Trueman said. A pump track consists of several rollers, or miniature hills, banked turns and other features. The name "pump" comes from riders pumping their bodies up and down to create momentum. Doing this ensures forward progress without riders needing to pedal or push themselves. "It's good exercise, it's fun and gets them out of the house in a safe environment," said Sandusky resident Kimberly Latta, who brought her children to the trac Fridayk. "I have two kids here today. Jozlyn is on rollerblades, and Miles is riding his scooter."Sandusky residents Rich and Mary Ann Bevington brought their grandsons, who are visiting from Michigan, to Friday's grand opening."Looks like a pretty fun thing for the kids, they did a nice job," Rich Bevington said. "If I were 50 years younger, I'd probably get on the track."Talon Walton, 11, rides his scooter on the Sandusky Pump Track during its grand opening at Battery Park on Friday, June 21, 2019.Area teenagers and children ride scooters, bicycles and roller skates at the grand opening of the Sandusky Pump Track at Battery Park on Friday, June 21, 2019.City of Sandusky recreation program supervisor, Jason Werling, speaks to attendees at the grand opening of the Sandusky Pump Track at Battery Park on Friday, June 21, 2019.Thomas Cupp, of Huron, rides his bicycle on the Sandusky Pump Track during its grand opening at Battery Park on Friday, June 21, 2019.Area teenagers and children ride scooters, bicycles and roller skates at the grand opening of the Sandusky Pump Track at Battery Park on Friday, June 21, 2019.Tom Ritzenthaler, a city resident, 1986 Perkins High School resident and world-renowned bicycle-track designer, and Tyler Trueman, who works for Cedar Point's All Wheel Sports stunt show, cut a ribbon to signify the grand opening of the Sandusky Pump Track.Area teenagers and children ride scooters, bicycles and roller skates at the grand opening of the Sandusky Pump Track at Battery Park on Friday, June 21, 2019.Tom Ritzenthaler — a city resident, 1986 Perkins High School resident and world-renowned bicycle-track designer, speaks to attendees at the grand opening of the Sandusky Pump Track at Battery Park on Friday, June 21, 2019.