The wheels have been slowly turning, but the Strawberry Hill Bike Park is nearing the top of its fundraising hill and will break ground in April.

The Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation still needs about $110,000 of the $416,000 to get the park ready for a fall opening, a foundation news release says. Send donations to www.bikestrawberry.org

Strawberry Hill Bike Park will bring 1.5 miles of winding, wooded bike trails, with progressively challenging downhill runs, berms, jumps and fly-overs for riders of all ages and abilities. Young riders and those just coming to the sport can learn at a special skill-building area.

The Bike Park was designed by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, a leading bike park designer, with start-to-finish input from the BI mountain biking community. David Maron, a member of the Strawberry Hill Bike Park committee, said: “I feel giddy for what will become of the hillside at Strawberry Hill Bike Park. We’re going to have world-class trails right here.”

The BI Metro Park & Recreation District has awarded the Bike Park construction contract to Oceanside Construction of Bellingham. Subcontractor Shire Built will build the park at the northwest corner of Strawberry Hill Park, with groundbreaking set for April 20.

“Shire Built is well known in the local mountain biking community, and brings an excellent portfolio of bike parks in the area,” said Lydia Roush, Park Services Division director for Bainbridge parks. “This is just who we want building this park for our community, professionally and at great value.”

Supporters are glad to be near the finish line. “This is it – we are at the ‘Send to the End’ campaign final push to open our first-ever bike park this year,” said Mary Meier, executive director of the foundation. “The tremendous response to our ‘Dig Deep’ campaign so far puts the finish line in sight.”