Published June 20th, 2012
What's Happening with the Proposed Bike Park?
By Cathy Tyson
Seems like only yesterday when discussion started on a bike park as a way to combat unauthorized mountain bike and BMX riders who were using the fragile creek habitat near the Community Center as a bike-jump area, but it was actually more than three years ago.
After a series of discussions with riders and stakeholders, which resulted in the Lafayette Bike Jump User Group and extensive research, a comprehensive report was presented to Parks Trails and Recreation Commission. Eventually the City Council agreed to investigate the feasibility of a bike park in early 2010, looking into environmental issues and regulatory permits.
As it stands now, "An Administrative Draft of an Initial Study, which includes the environmental assessment, is going through final internal review by Planning and Legal staff," said Jennifer Russell, director of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Department. "When they're done, their comments will go back to the consultant who puts the final document together. Then staff will schedule a public hearing."
After the public hearing, the City Council will decide whether it wants to go forward with the bike park and permits would need to be obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game. There's no specific timeline going forward. With limited staffing in the City's Planning Department, which is currently handling the large and controversial Christmas Tree Lot multi-family project along with other items, Parks, Trails and Recreation "is patiently waiting its turn," said Russell.

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