Parks and Recreation hosts first Light Up the Night Belton Community Bike Ride

By Michele Weisman

The Belton Journal

Belton Parks and Recreation held the first Light Up the Night Belton Community Bike Ride on the Nolan Creek hike and bike trail Friday, Nov. 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A table set up at Liberty Park, 700 Veterans Way, served as the check-in location before the ride commenced at 5:45 p.m.

Adam Wells, Charisse Bennett, and Adam Trujillo with Parks and Recreation welcomed the public to the event. The Facebook flyer invited participants to “dress to glow.”

Families and individuals arrived ready to enjoy the free outdoor event. Parks and Recreation planned the event knowing not all participants could arrive by 5:30, and late arrivals were still able to join. A Belton police officer participated in the ride, patrolling on a police bicycle.

BELTON JOURNAL/Michele Weisman

Participants hear a few words from Adam Wells prior to heading on the bike ride.

Attendees signed in and were offered wrist-size glow sticks. The route followed the Nolan Creek hike and bike trail. Riders and a few walkers began at Liberty Park, continued to MLK Boulevard, turned around, and returned to Veterans Park. Yettie Polk Bridge and the pony truss bridge were decorated with lights by Parks and Recreation.

Before the ride began, Wells informed riders that Parks and Recreation staff would be wearing yellow vests during the ride.

Trujillo credited Wells for the idea behind Light Up the Night, saying, “Adam was the brainchild behind the event.”

Bennett added that Parks and Recreation plans to create more simple family-friendly events that encourage people to be active together and have fun.