SLIPPERY ROCK— John Huselton loves the outdoors.

Now he's dedicating his working hours to seeing that others have a place to enjoy it.

Huselton, 54, of Renfrew owns and operates Slippery Rock Dunes, a 115-acre facility that includes quad and bike riding, motocross tracks and an eight-acre lake for fishing.

He owned an auto repair shop for years before giving it up to "promote the outdoors,"he said.

"John used to see people driving by hauling bikes and quads and felt badly they had to travel so far to use them,"said Debbie Huselton, his wife of 33 years. "Now they can stay closer to home."

Huselton opened Slippery Rock Dunes five years ago and hasn't finished its development yet.

But he's making progress.

"I'm probably out here 70 hours a week," he said. "Maintaining the tracks and creating new trails through the woods takes a lot of time.

"I get help sometimes from people who come here to camp, but I'm basically the only guy out here."

Huselton does not offer bike and quad races like Switchback Raceway in Butler. He does offer a practice facility that's available until dusk nearly every day.

"What I like to see is when an experienced rider is out here, sees a beginner rider, and stops to help him out, give him tips,"Huselton said. "That happens quite a bit."

The facility gets busy weekday evenings and on weekends, though Huselton anticipated the weekday traffic will slow since schools are back in session.

Five years ago, he considered 20 to 30 bikes and quads on the courses a good day. That number is up to 100 to 120 now.

He's even hosted some truck pulls this year, through the Western Pennsylvania Tractor and Truck Pull Association.

"We have room for more growth here,"Huselton said. "I'd love to get 150 (bikes and quads) out here on Saturdays and Sundays."

Debbie Huselton is heavily involved in the facility's operation as well. While her husband is maintaining the trails and courses, she is working the concession and registration area.

While he works his 70 hours, Huselton said his wife "puts in about 50 herself, plus handles things at home,"

"This is John's passion and I like it because it's family-oriented,"Debbie Huselton said. "Adults and kids get along together on the track.

"Come Friday, camp out, be entertained, leave Sunday — that's where John wants to get to with this place."

Ages of riders at Slippery Rock Dunes have ranged from 5 to 75. Huselton said a 68-year-old man comes out and rides for two hours each week.

"He says it's how he gets exercise,"Huselton said.

"We get kids 2 and 3 years old who start riding bikes with training wheels on them — but those training wheels don't stay on long," he added.

Riders have come from Akron, Ohio, Cleveland and Erie, Monroeville and Washington, Pa.

"Eventually, I want to build an ampitheatre here, get some concerts for evening entertainment on weekends, play some volleyball and horseshoes ... one step at a time," Huselton said.

Upcoming events include an off-road swap meet Saturday and Sunday, mud racing Sept. 27 and Oct. 18, and dirt drag racing Oct. 4.