Members of the community weigh in on the BMX track improvement project during a public meeting Thursday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
When asked to submit feedback regarding the BMX track located on North Mesa during a public meeting Thursday, the consensus in the room was: we support having the track but put it somewhere else.
The Los Alamos County Parks and Recreation Division and Action Sports Design hosted the meeting at Fuller Lodge. No action was taken during the meeting, Action Sport Design’s Mike McIntyre emphasized that this was merely a kickoff toward deciding what should be done to improve the track and transform it into a racetrack that would be sanctioned by USA BMX.
The track is located off North Mesa Park Road. It touches a tennis court and is near the horse-riding arena, Brewer Arena, and is in the vicinity of the North Mesa Stables, which attracted not only cyclists but a group of horse owners to Thursday’s meeting. Many equestrians at the meeting supported having a BMX track but not its location.
“I have nothing against having a BMX, high class track, but I don’t think it needs to be squished in where there are already users that it will impact especially when I know how much room is down in Overlook Park in White Rock that’s easier for people to get to … I think the location is off,” Georgia Strickfaden said.
“There was a lot of support from our community and the stable community as well to have it just not on this side of the park,” an equestrian said.
There are safety concerns, another attendee said.
“To have that so close to … animals … you have no idea how your 1,100 pound (horse) is going to act today or not … you never know,” she said. “Most of the bikers we met on the trails have been fairly good, there have been a few negative interactions … and when there is a negative interaction it is usually fairly catastrophic and that is a bad thing.”
She invited McIntyre to tour the stables and arena to see first-hand the equestrians’ concerns.
Parks Superintendent Wendy Parker provided some historical information on the BMX Track and the County’s desire for resident feedback on the project.
She explained in the spring of 2019, a local group began fundraising and performing work on the track. The County halted the work because of liability and safety concerns. In the fall of 2019, the project was presented to the Parks and Recreation Board to approve funds for making improvements to the track. The board approved it and council approved additional funds. The project halted due to staff changes and COVID. It was paused for more than two years. The effort to revive the project began when the County hired Action Sport Design.
It was questioned where else the park could go and McIntyre said that will need to be investigated.
An attendee suggested it be moved so that the North Mesa dog park is a buffer between the stables and bike track.
McIntyre touched on what is initially being considered: having a BMX track that caters to all demographics – from age 3 to 70.
“Five-year-olds, beginners and experts are all riding on the same track so this would be a very tame, low impact racetrack,” he said. “It would be all about keeping kids healthy, families going out there and riding…”
Furthermore, the track would operate the same as any other County-owned facility. It would be open for anyone to use but closed during BMX-sanctioned practices and events.
The track would only be for pedal-powered bikes not motorized vehicles. McIntrye added sustainability would be key in the materials used for the track, which would be dirt and a sub-surface of asphalt and other materials such as aggregate and recycled concrete. The hope is that the track could potentially host state race qualifiers and a regional qualifier. This, he said, would be beneficial for those who don’t want to travel.
Several bikers in the meeting agreed; saying the closest BMX track for races is in Albuquerque.
One parent said he and his kids used to race but “we used to race in Albuquerque and really the reason we don’t race anymore is it’s a lot to drive to Albuquerque every weekend.”
A teenager who participates in the sport added she has friends who would be interested in joining but don’t want to travel to Albuquerque.
It was noted that in improving the bike track other amenities need to be considered as well such as restrooms and water fountains. With these considerations, audience members noted that other locations should be considered – the current site would not work.
Armed with this feedback, a second public meeting will be scheduled. The public can also visit the project page or contact Wendy Parker at wendy.parker@lacnm.us or 505.663.1771.
Action Sport Design’s Mike McIntyre discusses the BMX Track during Thursday’s public meeting. Action Sports Design is contracted by the County to develop a design to create a USA BMX sanctioned track. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Parks Superintendent Wendy Parker discusses the history of the BMX Track project. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com