Albany Bike Park

Updated: 9/19/2008

The next Bike Park Task Force meeting is Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 6:30 in the Council Chambers at Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin St. SW, Albany, Oregon. The task force will be using a web-based design program to layout the park design. They will also discuss logos, stories, and brainstorm some positive responses to possible bike park objections.

To volunteer or to find more information on the task force please contact Tari Hayes, Administrative Assistant, Albany Parks and Recreation at 541-917-7778 or tari.hayes@cityofalbany.net.

On March 5, 2008 over 60 BMX riders, parents, teachers and local businesses attended the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting and asked for a bike park. The Commission decided to create a task force to explore the creation of a park.

On April 8, 2008 a forum was held to identify the needs and related issues of those with a stake in the building of a bike park, including skaters, BMX bikers, donors, public safety officials, parents, neighbors, and event organizers; to develop strategies and actions to address those needs and issues; and to determine the next steps in appointing a bike park task force. From that meeting 6 focus groups were created and initial areas of focus were decided:

• Location – possibilities, impacts, costs (city owned, private)
• Design/Construction – materials, costs, design
• Volunteer Coordination – maintain contact lists, seek out community resources, coordinate support
• Recorder/Admin – provide minutes, agendas, thank you notes, phone lists
• Treasurer/Fundraising/Sponsorships – donations, tracking expenditures, fundraising, seeking out in-kind donations
• Community Relations – Provide public information, rules, establish a web presence, marketing the park
  Many more volunteers are needed. To volunteer , or to find out more information on the task force or a specific focus group, please contact Tari Hayes, Administrative Assistant, Albany Parks and Recreation at 541-917-7778 or by email.

What is BMX?

BMX (an acronym for Bicycle Motocross) is a form of cycling on specially designed bicycles which usually have 18 to 24-inch wheels (the norm being the 20-inch wheel). Freestyle BMX is a creative way of using bicycles originally designed for bicycle motocross racing. It can be split into several disciplines, although riders will generally participate in more than one discipline. These are Street, Park, Vert, Trails (sometimes called Dirt) and Flatland.

Why BMX?

BMX Park and The Community
A BMX Park will enhance a community both economically and socially. BMX riding provides a safe and challenging sport for kids of all ages, male and female alike, benefiting the community by keeping youth involved in a positive, healthy environment that promotes family bonding and safe competition. Developing a vacant lot into a BMX park for the kids and their families increases the value of our community and adds new economic and community benefits, such as:

• Good for local businesses. Currently they are only a handful of parks in the state that allow BMX riders. The group has received interest from across the state and up and down the I-5 corridor, showing that riders are willing to come to Albany to ride, and in turn stimulate the local economy.
• BMX riding is a family sport offering a great way for kids and parents to enjoy a sporting event together.
• Encourages participation – riders don’t have to "sit-on-the-bench” or wait long for their turn to compete.
• Enhances city appeal and increases tourist activity. Major events can attract up to 1,000 participants and spectators.
  

This site is under construction, please check back often for updates.

Meeting	Agenda	Minutes
March 2008	n/a	59K
April 2008	17K	53K
May 2008	18K	69K
June 2008	n/a	n/a
July 2008	18K	78K
No meetings in August or September 2008
October 2008	19K

How You Can Help

The Task Force needs community support. That support can be in many forms. We’re searching for riders, parents, teachers, business members, civic organizations to become part of the task force.

Do you have marketing, organizational, promotional, banking, maintenance, construction, or bookkeeping experience? Each focus group would welcome your skills.

Location and design costs have not been determined yet. Financial support will be needed once these have been determined. One easy way to help is donate time and materials or in-kind donations.

To volunteer or to find more information on the task force please contact Tari Hayes, Administrative Assistant, Albany Parks and Recreation at 541-917-7778 or tari.hayes@cityofalbany.net.

To be added to the mailing list please send your name, complete address, phone number and email address to the email address above.