| | Published March 13th, 2013
| Fate of BMX Bicycle Park Up in the Air
| | By Cathy Tyson | | |
Having last heard about the proposed 1.8 acre bike park over a year ago - it seemed like a good time to update the Lafayette City Council, especially considering the new, revised cost estimates. The initial cost was expected to be just over $100,000 back in 2008 when the idea of the park debuted - Parks, Trails and Recreation director Jennifer Russell credits inflation, Hillside Development Application requirements and additional work on the grading and drainage plan to satisfy the Water Quality Control Board as reasons for a substantial increase.
To date $104,500 has been spent, primarily on environmental studies, permits and project management. That figure includes $25,800 that was requested and granted for environmental studies from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Game and the Army Corps of Engineers, due to a report of a red-legged frog sighting many years ago. If the city council goes forward with the bike park, the project will cost an additional $237,000 to complete. The majority of those dollars, over $215,000, will go toward permitting, construction, mitigation and monitoring, bringing the total cost of the bike park to over $341,000.
While these figures are certainly more than were originally anticipated, BMX (jumping) bicycle enthusiasts lobbied the city council to continue with the proposed project in the Community Park at a recent meeting. As a comparison, figures for other Lafayette park projects were discussed - over $1.2 million for the rink used primarily for roller hockey, and $1.43 million for Buckeye Fields and, recently, $267,000 for the playground at the Community Park.
Curious about the level of demand, city council member Don Tatzin asked Russell if she could quantify potential users. "It's a little tricky to know," she said. Unlike kids that play team sports, students that enjoy this individualized sport aren't officially organized, with the exception of a group hosted by Stanley Middle School teacher Robert Anke. Calling himself a "hairless hippie" Anke is himself a BMX aficionado. He currently organizes junior high students to carpool down to Pleasanton, the nearest BMX park - a one hour and 20 minute round trip excursion. "The sport is growing in popularity all the time," he said.
While Anke and a number of youngsters and their parents spoke at the podium to support going forward, an equal number of residents encouraged the council to stop pursuing construction of the bike park.
Noting that "things have changed" from when the park was originally proposed, new city council member Traci Reilly would like a robust discussion on whether the bike park is a priority now. Tatzin suggested there's room for both team sports and individual pursuits. "It's important to recognize that people have different interests." He believes the proposed bike park is worth pursuing and is mindful of the cost.
Ultimately a decision about the future of the bike park was put on hold until later this spring when the draining and landscape plan will be presented to the council.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | print story
Before you print this article, please remember that it will remain in our archive for you to visit anytime.
download pdf
(use the pdf document for best printing results!) | | | Comments | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA