If you've ever wished Hyland had something more than paved loops and ski trails to ride, that's finally in the works. Three Rivers Park District staff are in the final design phase for a singletrack mountain bike trail through Hyland Bush Anderson Lakes Park Reserve, built to give riders a real experience without trashing the park's natural resources, according to the city.
This is a byproduct of the 2025 deal that handed several Bloomington park units over to Three Rivers Park District to run. Once Three Rivers took over, staff evaluated the reserve and decided it could support what the city is calling a "destination style" mountain bike trail — the kind riders would drive across the metro for, not just a neighborhood loop.
A general route through the park has already been picked, and the design work is now getting locked in. The stated priorities: protect natural habitats, keep the impact on neighbors and other park users to a minimum, don't mess with the existing cross-country ski trails, and build something that works for riders at every skill level, from beginners to people who want technical terrain.
The plan leans on infrastructure that's already there — parking, restrooms and drinking water are all in place at the reserve, so this isn't a from-scratch build. The city hasn't released a trail map, mileage, cost figures, or a target opening date; the project is still in design, not construction.
Anyone who wants to track progress or weigh in can sign up for updates through Three Rivers Park District at letstalkthreerivers.org/hyland-singletrack-trail.