Vanier Park Dirt Jump Park FINAL VOTE this Monday, Sept 21, 2009

We have made it to the FINAL step before the approval of a new dirt jump park in Vancouver. The last, and arguably most important step, is to vote, this Monday, September 21, 2009, otherwise this fantasy may never become a reality.

VANCOUVER RESIDENTS PLEASE READ - More important details inside...Some years ago, an well know, although informal, dirt jump terrain was developed by BMX/mountain bike enthusiasts in the Oak & 37th park site (now Oak Meadows Park), directly adjacent to Eric Hamber Secondary School. In 2005, the development of the park came to an abrupt halt as flagging tape was placed throughout, and heavy machinery moved in. As a result, th Park Board staff vowed to work with the BMX/mountain biking community to find an appropriate location for development of a youth park facility suitable to their needs as a replacement for the user-built dirt jump course eliminated through the development Oak Meadows Park.


At long last, this may finally be the park we have been promised, and waiting for. Unlike other local, hidden trails and dirt jump areas, the proposition is for a progressive layout of jumps (something for everyone), and it is to be constructed on land owned by the City of Vancouver. The proposition has now been the subject of several meetings, including one open to the public, where a large gathering of the local biking community came together to rally. Once the common misunderstandings were set aside - many believed that the bikes using the park would be motorized and therefore a disruption to the community - the Kitsilano community has subsided to the point of welcoming the idea (at least for the most part). Several months of planning and gatherings later, we have arrived at the final hurdle; the vote.

The turnout in past meetings has been somewhat meager, although the few who showed up acted in such a manner that City councilors have decided to move forward, and stage the final vote regarding the development of the bike park. This attempt will hopefully gather the publicity required to progress.

For those unclear or unaware of this proposition, unless you have seen it, you may not be familiar with the land. The area is actually just under and beside the Burrard Street bridge, at the mouth of False Creek, and along the road which passes the H.R. MacMillan Space Center (as seen in picture) and City of Vancouver Archives. It is very central, only minutes from downtown, and the soil seems prime for building. The area is roughly 100 feet wide, and well over 300 feet long - no shortage of space. Several trees have been taken down and the land has been leveled, although more may be taken down in future. There are actually a set of jumps and an overgrown pump track present now, although they are further back in the trees, and not on the proposed site. The designing of the park will take place only after the vote goes according to plan, although the idea of lighting has been raised. One of the main concerns is from the coordinators of Bard on the Beach (a popular series of Shakespeare plays in big red and white tents; takes place for several months of the year and is present now) and the level of noise and garbage. The mountain biking community is generally very good about respecting the neighbors and the 'pack-in, pack-out' ideology, and we must make sure that every is aware of that.

You now know almost everything that has been discussed unto this point in time, and in case it is not abundantly clear: unless you get out and vote in favor of this proposal, it will be put on the shelf, and we will not get a much needed bike park.

This is a note from the coordinator on our end (directions to vote in note):

Hi all,

This Monday, Sept 21 at 7pm is the FINAL VOTE for the Dirt Jump Park proposal for Vanier Park in Vancouver.

This is a very important meeting for the BMX and Mountain Bike community to attend. This is the 3rd and final step towards getting this park approved and on to the design stage. We need people of all ages – from young kids to parents – residents of the neighbourhood and beyond. We want to see you girls and women riders out at this meeting too – we want the Park Board to see all the different people that will be using this park, from beginner to expert.

If we have a good turnout, and if it’s approved on Monday evening, we could realistically be riding this park in the Spring...

The meeting is at 7pm SHARP, and we're 3rd on the agenda, but things do shift around –so please be on time. The Park Board office is at 2099 Beach Avenue, first building on the right in Stanley Park.

You can read the Staff Report and specifics about the Dirt Jump park here (Bicycle Skills area - Vanier Park):
http://vancouver.ca/parks/board/2009/090921/index.htm

Here's the event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=275412605133&ref=nf


To our international friends – thanks for your support, we realize you can’t make it out to the event.


Thanks again, hope to see a bunch of you out Monday night.
-- chris young

If you would like to read more this is a great place to start:
http://vancouver.ca/PARKS/info/planning/vanier/index.htm

Otherwise I am happy to answer questions if you would like to PM me.

Thanks, and see all you locals out on Monday.