Bike‑park advocates urged Los Alamos County Council on Oct. 7 to approve a larger, multi‑feature bike park at North Mesa after a year of planning, community outreach and a 272‑respondent survey.

The bike‑park working group — represented by Kyle Dickman, a founder of the Tough Tykes youth riding program, and Nathan Mayer, a local trail builder and working group member — told council the community strongly supports a permanent facility to teach skills, host youth programs and attract visitors.

“The pump track needs to be paved,” Kyle Dickman said, explaining that paved pump tracks resist damage from monsoon rains and reduce long‑term maintenance. “A full bike park that would include intermediate and advanced features would cost between $500,000 and $800,000 and needs about 5 acres.”

The working group said its survey found 89% support from those who responded; 55% of respondents were not regular bikers, the presenters stressed. The group recommended North Mesa and White Rock’s Overlook Park as top sites and asked the county to prioritize a 5‑acre footprint rather than the 3 acres shown in Site Southwest’s recent North Mesa draft plan.

“The community really agreed with us. North Mesa has all these attributes that would be a great bike park location,” Nathan Mayer said, citing proximity to schools, existing parking and connections to trail networks.

Supporters said a full facility could host youth programs such as the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) discovery pilot for ages 7–11 and help local events draw overnight visitors. The working group noted potential funding partners including IMBA matching grants and a State Trail Accelerator program (grant amounts discussed during the presentation ranged from roughly $100,000 up to larger matching awards). They also pointed to a 5‑acre park in New Mexico (Pecos/Pueblo example cited) that cost under $500,000 and drew hundreds of users on opening day.

Equestrians and nearby residents, however, told council they had not been sufficiently involved in planning and warned that certain design choices could create conflicts with horses and other trail users. Lisonbee Reeder, representing the Equine and Livestock Working Group and the Stable Owners Association, said stakeholders appreciated tabletop exercises but urged more time for review and requested the project return to Parks and Recreation for more detailed consideration.

“By posting educational signs … this is a chance to alleviate conflict between communities,” said a working group member during public comment, but equestrian owners asked that proximity to stables be treated as a significant design constraint.

County staff and the Parks and Recreation Board said North Mesa had been more heavily vetted than other sites, but that finer design details remain to be resolved. The council did not take an immediate vote on a bike‑park appropriation; instead, Park Board review and further public comment were emphasized as next steps.

If the county proceeds, the working group offered to assist with grant applications and maintenance partnerships, pointing out local volunteer capacity for trail work and trail maintenance experience among builders in New Mexico.

The public record on Oct. 7 shows strong grassroots support for a bike park but also significant concerns about siting, materials and coexistence with equestrian uses. Councilors and staff said they would continue the planning process and integrate stakeholder feedback before any construction funding is approved.