City Council to review plan on Jan. 13
BY ALEX CANTATORE
After nearly two years of meetings, the proposed Turlock BMX Bike Park appears to be back on track-the dirt track, that is. The Parks, Recreation, and Community Commission approved a finalized set of rules and an comprehensive operational plan for the site on Wednesday, clearing the path for a small parcel on the corner of Paseo De Leon and Panorama Avenue, less than one acre in size, to be filled with dirt berms for BMX riders to jump.
The Bike Park initially came before the Turlock City Council on Aug. 26, having already been approved by the PRCC, but the Council was concerned that there were neither proposed rules for the site nor was there any plan on how to run the park. In the months since that decision, the PRCC has revisited the park, with the help of Police Chief Gary Hampton and City Attorney Phaedra Norton, to develop a legally sound plan for the potentially dangerous site.
All visitors will be required to wear a full set of safety equipment, including helmet, gloves, elbow and kneepads, shin guards, and chest and shoulder protectors. Users of the BMX Park will also do so at their own risk, with the City assuming no responsibility for what they term a, “Hazardous recreational activity which creates a substantial risk of injury.”
A total of 21 rules were crafted by the PRCC, which will be posted at the Bike Park so as to be enforceable.
“This looks like it’s going to be an awfully big sign,” said Public Facilities Manager Rick Harden. “We don’t want it billboard size.”
Other rules include required adult supervision, prohibition of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, and a slew of regulations intended to make the park a good neighbor to the nearby Walnut Elementary Education Center and the houses across the street. Anyone breaking these rules will be guilty of an infraction of the Turlock Municipal Code, and will be liable for fines ranging from $100 to $300.
Weather permitting, the hours of operation will be from 3 p.m. to sunset, Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to sunset on Saturday and Sunday. During school holidays and the school summer recess, the hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to sunset.
“You can see we’re trying to work around the school schedule for our hours of operation,” Harden said.
To ensure the patrons of the Bike Park obey these hours of operation, the entire area will be fenced and locked outside of normal operation hours. This fencing was not included in the original plan, and could increase the initial cost of the facility from the projected $20,000 to $35,000 or more, as well as generate on-going costs from maintenance employees required to lock and unlock the park each day.
The Turlock City Council is expected to make their final ruling on the Bike Park plan at their Jan. 13 meeting.
To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2005.
Originally published in the Turlock Journal 12/12/2008.
Retrieved from the Turlock Journal Web site.