BMX park jumps on schedule BMX park jumps on schedule (May 14, 2004)

Parks Commission OKs bike track design
by Teresa C. Brown

Bicycle moto-cross has taken a jump closer to realizing a permanent park facility for sport enthusiasts as the Park and Recreation Commission approved a BMX conceptual plan Tuesday. The plan would create a BMX park off Stanley Boulevard at Shadow Cliffs recreation area.

"We're now to the point where we need to develop a fairly refined design for the East Bay (Regional Park District) approval," said Jim Wolfe, director of the Parks & Community Services Department.

The design presented to the commissioners was based on comments received during a community meeting held April 26 at the Veterans Memorial Building, Wolfe said.

The 2.75-acre park has already been budgeted for and is expected to cost about $75,000.

City Landscape Architect Mike Fulford reviewed the park design with the commissioners. The park will have a right-turn egress and ingress and a 16-space parking lot, he said. The southernmost side of the park would be designated for overflow parking, he added.

The area will also include three portable restrooms, two standard and one for disabled; a pay telephone; a kiosk for posting notices and announcements; and a large hand-washing sink, Fulford said.

A 6-foot chain link fence with several vehicle and pedestrian gates will surround the entire site, Fulford said. "If we have to close it, we would like to be able to close it." However, the dawn-to-dusk facility would normally remain open.

In addition to the 900-foot track, the park will also have an observation area, drinking fountains and "quick coupling valves" to spray the track for dust control, Fulford said.

The park will be landscaped to provide some screening, he said. "There will be some visibility, but at the same time, it's not in your face."

The park is not expected to attract competitions. "This track would be good for honing skills," Fulford explained. "We're not going to encourage races." The park will not have either the parking capability or facilities needed for racing competitions, he added.

BMX parking slots will be limited to four hours to discourage their use by fishermen or people trying to avoid Shadow Cliff parking fees. "If it becomes a problem, we'll cite those folks," Fulford said.

Wolfe told the commissioners that the BMX park will probably open in September although there is a possibility it may be sooner.

With the commissioners' endorsement, the design will move forward to the city's Planning Department. In addition to being approved by the Planning Commission, the design must also be approved by the EBRPD.

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