OKEECHOBEE — What began as a dream is now a reality as Okeechobee County is now home to one of only five pump tracks in the state.

Okeechobee County Commissioners, staff and members of the community were present on March 13, 2025 as the “Altobello Family Pump Track” celebrated its grand opening.

A county representative wrote, “For those that ask ‘What is a pump track?’  It is a specially designed track featuring a series of rollers, berms, and jumps that allow riders to gain speed and momentum by 'pumping' their bikes!  This multi-use track is for bikes, skateboards, scooters, skates, anything that is a non-motorized wheeled activity.

“This thrilling course is perfect for riders of all ages and skill levels, providing a fantastic opportunity to enhance biking skills, build confidence, and, most importantly, have fun with friends and family!”

The pump track was originally the brainchild of Tiffany Gould, who served the county as project coordinator at the time, told Whitehead she had a passion to build a pump track in Okeechobee. Whitehead’s response was, “What’s a pump track?”

Meanwhile, Whitehead, who was new to the community and hired as the community services director as well as manager of Parks and Recreation in July of 2019, wanted the staff to understand what the community was doing with the parks and recreation they already had in the community. To do this, she assigned each staff member to a specific area, such as the skate park, and had them go there four times a day to count the people using it and to write down specific things about how the parks and recreation areas were being used.

“It was very surprising to staff when they came back, because they realized facilities were being used way more than they thought they were being used, and they were being used in ways they were not expecting’” said Whitehead, who is now the county’s assistant administrator as well as community services director.

Whitehead said after their survey, they realized the skate park was being utilized by all ages from 3 or 4 years old on scooters to teens on skateboards and roller blades to 40-50-60-year-old adults on skateboards. “The staff were very surprised by this,” she said.

The next step was to go to the county seeking permission and funding for a pump track. She told the commissioners the track would be one of only five in the state and could bring many visitors to Okeechobee. In addition, they could have competitions there.

“I knew it would be a hard sell because we were also bringing in a splash pad and a fitness trail,” said Whitehead. They began looking for funding, and that is how the Altobello Foundation became a part of the project. They reached out to Whitehead saying they wanted to do something for the community but were not sure what they wanted to do. They wanted the Altobello name to have a legacy in the county. After multiple meetings to explain what they had in mind, the project was approved. It was five years in the making, but after a long, uphill fight for grant funding, the project began.

“Once it began, it did not take long at all,” she said. It was paid for by the Altobello Foundation and by grants. Altobello funds will also be used to renovate the existing playground and other things in the park. “We are trying to put a wheelchair feature in there,” said Whitehead. “If anyone wants to donate, they can get with me.”

The pump track has room for more features, such as a beginners loop, to be added later if the funding comes through.

Heather Dobbs, known to many in Okeechobee as the "Skateboard Mama” was contacted early in the planning process, said Whitehead. Dobbs has spent many hours on the existing skate park and knows the ins and outs of what the skating community needs and wants.

“We wanted some local community input,” said Whitehead. Dobbs, was able to sit in with them on some of the design meetings, helped rally the troops to get behind the project and, working with Leah Suarez of “Our Village” was instrumental in putting together a “Friends of the Park” 501c3. They had to have this in order to get funding from the Altobello Foundation.

A representative of the board of county commissioners wrote, “Bring your non-motorized wheeled equipment, helmets, your energy, and your enthusiasm—let’s ride into a new adventure together at the Altobello Family Pump Track!”

The new track is in Kiwanis Park, behind the original skate park, which is still available for use. Members of the community are invited to use the track with non-motorized wheeled vehicles. Please be sure to use safety equipment including helmets.

[Photos courtesy Okeechobee County Parks and Recreation]