Members of the crowd stepped forward as a blanket fell from a wooden post at the Frisco Adventure Park’s bike park, unveiling an intricate plaque. They huddled together to read and admire the sight, talking softly and laughing, some with arms around each other or holding hands.

A crowd of about 50 family, friends and former co-workers came to see the bike park dedication ceremony in honor of Mark Gage. The 53-year-old Summit Cove resident passed away after collapsing while riding on his bike in August last year.

“He was a family man and bike enthusiast,” said Frisco Mayor Gary Wilkinson at the dedication. “His love of the sport is a true testament of what the Frisco Bike Park and Frisco Adventure Park represents.”

Gage worked as a community development director and senior planner for the town of Frisco beginning in 1994. He was also a ski patroller at Loveland for 24 years, including many years as the Rocky Mountain Division Alpine Toboggan supervisor and trainer.

Gage’s former co-workers came to watch the dedication, as well as family and friends from around the country.

Many of them shared his love of mountain biking.

“His happy place was to be out riding,” said Karen Gage, Mark’s wife, during the dedication. Mark and Karen’s daughters, Riley and Haley, were at her side.

“Mountain biking was a huge, huge passion of Mark’s,” Karen said. “He loved all aspects of it.”

Karen said she and Mark first got into bike racing. From there, his love for the sport burgeoned.

“He just enjoyed riding — riding with his friends — or riding by himself,” she said.

The mountain biker was particular about his bikes, only riding those that had been hand-built in Colorado, she said. Gage also enjoyed building and maintaining bikes.

“He’d find old frames and turn them into usable bikes,” she said.

Gage enjoyed riding by the bike park at the Frisco Adventure Park.

“The whole time it was being built Mark was excited about coming by and seeing the progress, and he was very inspired by it,” Karen said.

She said she appreciates the work that’s gone into the bike park, as well as the town council’s decision to dedicate the park in Mark’s honor.

“The crew that built this bike park is amazing. It took a long, long time to build it, and they continue to build it,” she said. “I feel like every time I come here there are more features.”

The mayor said he was happy to be at the celebration.

“Mark generously gave his knowledge, his skill and expertise to make the Frisco community a better place,” Wilkinson said.“The commitment he brought to his job every day and passion for the Frisco community helped shape Frisco.”

Gage was involved in a variety of town practices and projects, including green building codes, flood management practices, affordable housing, environmental sustainability, the kayak park and day lodge.

“He was involved in so many projects in this town over 18 years, it’s kind of neat there is a little piece of him as you drive around and can see his work,” Karen said.