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Residents oppose BMX plan for Quarry Park, urge nature‑first upgrades
Summary
Speakers at public comment said Quarry Park — an 11‑acre urban woodland — should remain informal trails and habitat, not be converted to a BMX facility; residents suggested alternative locations and modest trail improvements instead.
McMINNVILLE, Ore. — Multiple residents told the City Council that Quarry Park, an 11‑acre green space off Second Street, should be preserved as a neighborhood natural area and should not be repurposed as a BMX facility.
Stacy Mayhew, a 22‑year McMinnville resident, described Quarry Park as mature planted woodlands created after the state put the parcel up for sale in 1968 with a restriction “that this 11 acres was absolutely not to be developed.” Mayhew noted the park has multiple informal access points, hosts cross‑country practices and supports wildlife, and said park users favor walking and low‑impact uses over a large BMX installation.
Roshana Shockley said a BMX facility would “completely redo the whole park” and serve a comparatively small user group, and suggested instead locating a BMX facility near other youth‑oriented amenities such as the existing skate park.
Why it matters: Quarry Park is an accessible neighborhood green space; speakers said preserving the informal trails, improving signage and maintaining tree canopy would better serve the broader community than investing substantial sums in a highly specialized bike facility.
What residents asked the council to do Speakers urged the city to: 1) halt plans to build a BMX park at Quarry Park; 2) invest in modest trail and access improvements so more residents can use the area for walking and passive recreation; and 3) explore alternative locations near existing youth facilities for a dedicated BMX facility.
Ending Council did not take action during public comment. Staff said they would follow up with the speakers and also consider alternative locations and improvements.
Speakers: Stacy Mayhew (resident), Roshana Shockley (resident), Emily Kerrigan (resident).
sections":{"lede":"McMINNVILLE, Ore. — Multiple residents told the City Council that Quarry Park, an 11‑acre green space off Second Street, should be preserved as a neighborhood natural area and should not be repurposed as a BMX facility.","nut_graf":"Commenters described Quarry Park as mature woodland used for walking, wildlife viewing and youth cross‑country; they urged lower‑impact improvements rather than a specialized BMX installation.","ending":"Council took no action; staff said it would follow up with residents and explore alternatives."},
