For residents of western North Carolina, a mention of the town of Canton will likely spark thoughts of the massive paper mill that has operated there for more than a century. On any given day, depending on how the wind is blowing, the plant’s presence can be felt from miles away. While outdoor recreation helped fuel the economies of many neighboring towns, Canton has been known mostly for its industry. That all changed in April of this year.

On a sunny spring Saturday, the mayor and town manager were joined by about 1,500 people to celebrate the opening of Berm Park, a free public bike park. In the middle of the crowd, standing alongside his bike, was the reason the park had come to be. Seth Alvo, creator of one of the world’s most popular YouTube mountain bike channels, was proudly watching one of his dreams being realized. And the fulfillment of this dream might well have established a new paradigm for the building of free public trails.

Berm Park, a bike-specific playground within the larger Chestnut Mountain Nature Park, marks a new era in the funding and building of trails by tapping into the generosity of a dedicated online community and then working tirelessly to rally government officials, private citizens and nonprofit agencies toward a common cause. It’s also a manifestation of Seth’s belief that if you want something done, you just have to do it with the help of your friends.

Before he became a full-time YouTuber, Seth lived and breathed BMX. Growing up in Long Island, New York, he rode street and make do with what he had. He would see videos of people riding skateparks and felt frustration over the fact that there wasn’t one where he lived. Fortunately, his family had a do-it-yourself spirit and was filled with people who started their own businesses, worked hard and had a realistic view of how things worked. His father managed projects for hazardous waste removal and he imparted equal doses of optimism and realism to Seth at a young age. When Seth wanted to build a ramp for his bike, his dad helped him do it. Soon there were jumps everywhere.