HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/6/2021 Item 4b, O'HaraPublic comment regarding: Item 4b Bike Pump Tracks
10/6/2021
Dear Parks and Recreation Commission,
As many of you are aware, the jumps/skills area above Costco and below the Irish Hills have been demolished and
many from the community are saddened and upset. It was unfortunate that this was done without any communication
with community members and without any immediate replacement for users. Although that area had unauthorized
building, it was a valued community resource over the decade -plus existence. I am not a fan of illegal trail building and
actively discourage it. By not having an immediate replacement plan in place for a new skills area, this only
encourages more illegal building. A SLO City bike park is urgently needed.
Please accelerate the development of city provided dirt jump parks and a pump track to replace the recent destruction
of the Costco jump area. It is my hope that this area can be in a location with parking, bathrooms, near schools, and
easily accessible by bike. For years we have been talking about Laguna Lake and near Sinsheimer Park as possible
locations. I was very surprised to recently hear that along the Bob Jones trail (off Prado) was being discussed.
Although I am not sure of the exact location, there are no amenities such as parking and bathrooms that I am aware of
in this area, not to mention this is an area hard to ride too with increased traffic.
We all know that the city needs a bike park, it has scored high at the community "dot" activity and is in the parks
master plan. We also know how bike parks are a valuable community resource and also a tourist attraction. Bike Parks
promote a healthy lifestyle for riders of all ages and abilities, build skills, teach responsibility with their use &
maintenance, and promote community bonds via easy equitable access. CCCMB has been a part of many planning
meetings and helped with parks such as the Morro Bay Bike Park, the Eucs, and development planning at EI Chorro
Regional Park. In addition to these there are many others the city of SLO can use as a guide: Truckee Bike Park,
Sedona Bike Skills Park, Bijou at South Lake Tahoe, Snakes Hollow in St. George Ut, Valmont in Boulder CO. All are
incredible and offer a range of beginner, intermediate, and expert features accessible and challenging to all abilities.
As previously stated, location and ease of access is key. Laguna and near Sinsheimer would promote healthy lifestyle
choices as well as be the most environmentally acceptable locations. A bike park should be located where kids are
already riding and not require a drive by car. Sedona & St George's bike parks are located directly adjacent to their
middle schools and thus receive massive use. Costco jumps were there for all to see and thus also received steady &
continuous use.
I appreciate all the work this commission has dedicated to these discussions and plans. CCCMB is always on standby
and willing to help with the sharing of our resources, building, and maintenance.
Respectfully,
Christie O'Hara
President of the Board - Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers