HomeMy WebLinkAboutFW BMX area
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[if !mso]> <STYLE> st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } </STYLE> <![endif] From: Schuster,Tom
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 9:43 AM
To: Honl,Sonja
Subject: FW: BMX area
From: Paul Olson [mailto:POlson@cityofeagan.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 3:40 PM
To: Schuster,TomSubject: RE: BMX area
Hello Tom,
A Rosemount resident (teenager) had called me last week in anticipation of “meeting” looking for similar information so I sensed something was up—always something new.
For several years, we have been placing dirt piles in hockey rinks during the non-winter season. This in response to the common response we were hearing after tearing a jump down;
”where are we supposed to go” ?. The users are allowed to shape the piles, but not dig into the native ground. The piles can not exceed 4’ in height, no enhancements (boards,
blocks etc) are allowed. In the fall the dirt is removed and the rinks flooded as usual.
When the City installed the skate park, bikes soon became problem. Kids were lifting their bikes over the 4’ fence, using the equipment and sometime hauling in additional ramps.
There were a multitude of conflicts and complaints, especially from parents of younger kids. In response, we tried several approaches including additional signage, additional
police enforcement and even having a staff monitor—none of which provided consistent relief.
Last year, an 8’ high fence with a bike gate (and emergency entrance) was installed around the paved slab. Complaints regarding conflicts with bikes have essentially been none
existent.
Sometimes solving one problem creates new issues—once again we were asked; “where are bikes supposed to go” ? Many kids bike to the site and wanted to not only board but also to
bike. In response, we opted to create a small bike area, similar to our rinks, adjacent to the fenced skate park. Staff dumped several strategically place several loads of dirt
on a nearby area of low quality turf. The same rules as exist in the rinks apply here; no digging into the native ground, 4’ height limit, no artificial elements.
To date, knock on wood, there have been no issues. Our insurance provider/risk manager (Lm CIT), while not necessarily endorsing the concept, has accepted these bike areas with the
caveat that we are consistent with the same rules of height, inspection etc that apply to the skate park.
Our Park Commission has floated the idea of creating a more traditional “bike park” that incorporates more traditional commercial equipment—I suspect it is more of a “when” than
“if”
Hope this helps—call me at 651-675-5313 if you wish to discuss this further.
Good luck
Paul Olson
City of Eagan
From: Schuster,Tom [mailto:tom.schuster@ci.rosemount.mn.us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 11:50 AM
To: Paul OlsonSubject: BMX area
Hi Paul. I was asked to contact you to gather information about recreational opportunities for BMX type bikers. Someone told me that Eagan has a bike park close to the skate park
at Lexington/Diffley. Is this true? If so, what can you tell me about it? How long have you had it? Did your crew “build” it or are users allowed to move materials around
to create jumps and things? Do you know if there are regulations about how high piles and jumps can be? Does this get a lot of use? Do you need to patrol it? What kind of
problems have you had and do you think offering this is a good idea?
We have had several requests to create a bike park next to our skate park. On the one hand it seems like a pretty cheap way to provide recreation if all we have to do is strategically
dump some dirt. But if there are standards that have to be met or if communities that have these parks encounter a lot of problems, it might not be as easy as it seems. So anything
you might be able to share about your experience would be greatly appreciated. If it would be easier to just call and tell me about this, my number is 651 322-6005. Thanks for
you time Paul.
Tom Schuster
Rosemount Parks and Recreation
Parks Supervisor
651 322-6005
651 322-6080 fax