A new fleet of bicycles has been donated to Lake Placid Elementary School thanks to the generosity of a local business.

The Devlin, a Lake Placid-based hotel, donated to The Heart Network’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities (CHSC) program to help fund the purchase of a fleet of bicycles for Lake Placid Elementary School. The bikes, as well as helmets and training certification for teachers, come from All Kids Bike, a national program that promotes learn-to-bike education in elementary school settings.

“We’re beyond grateful to The Devlin for taking the initiative to bring this incredible program to students in Lake Placid,” said Arriana Patraw, The Heart Network’s community health improvement coordinator. “Our CHSC program, which primarily functions in Franklin County, has been establishing All Kids Bike programming at North Country schools over the last couple of years. Our funding doesn’t extend into Essex County, but The Devlin saw the value and stepped up in a big way to deliver these bikes to kids in their community.”

The owner of The Devlin, Steve Brown, said it’s important to carry on the Devlin legacy.

“Art Devlin is the current mayor of Lake Placid,” Brown said. “His dad, Art Sr., was an Olympic Ski Jumper and World War II hero. For over 65 years, the Devlin tradition of serving the public has been incredible. I’m just trying to honor their commitment to our community.”

“We thank The Devlin for its generous bicycle donation to our school community,” said Sonja Franklin, principal of Lake Placid Elementary School. “This support not only brings joy and excitement to our kindergarteners but also plays a meaningful role in closing the opportunity gap. By providing access to resources that promote physical activity, independence and confidence, this program ensures that every child — regardless of background — has the chance to thrive. These bicycles will inspire our youngest learners to explore, grow and begin their educational journey with a strong and joyful start. Nothing is more beautiful than a full bike rack outside our school doors.”

The Heart Network’s CHSC program first introduced All Kids Bike at the Malone Central School District in 2023, teaming up with the Cloudsplitter Foundation to buy bikes for kindergarten PE as well as additional bikes for grades 2-12. Later that same year, The Heart Network purchased adaptive bikes for Malone CSD, which are used by students with specific physical, mental, emotional and/or sensory impairments.

The success of the Malone programs spurred Tupper Lake Central School District to follow suit. Earlier this year, LP Quinn Elementary School received a fleet of 24 Strider bikes — also known as balance bikes — to help kids gain confidence before graduating to bicycles with pedals. The Heart Network is also working with St. Regis Falls, Salmon River and Chateaugay central school districts to introduce All Kids Bike.

“Learning to bike is a sort of right of passage for young kids,” Patraw said. “Many of us can remember the exhilaration we felt that first time we took off on two wheels. Biking inspires independence in kids and promotes physical activity — and there are cognitive benefits. But bikes aren’t cheap, and not every kid has the chance at home to own and ride a bike. Programs like All Kids Bike work to address this opportunity gap.”

To learn more about All Kids Bike, visit allkidsbike.org.

The Heart Network’s CHSC program, funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health, works with schools and communities to increase access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity. It also includes an early childhood component through a partnership with the Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country, engaging with providers to adopt policies and practices that promote nutrition and physical activity for young children.

For more information about the CHSC program at The Heart Network, visit heartnetwork.org or contact Arriana Patraw at apatraw@heartnetwork.org.