Council approves MAMBA pump track at Country Club Road; staff say it can move if housing proceeds

The Montpelier City Council approved a proposal from MAMBA (the local mountain biking group) to build a pump track at the Country Club Road property, and staff said the arrangement is intended as a community amenity that can be moved if the city later develops housing on the same parcel.

Alec Ellsworth, the city’s parks director, told the council the pump‑track location shown in MAMBA’s materials sits on the edge of a development area and is intentionally vague in the concept map. Ellsworth said the pump track is not sited squarely where future housing is planned and, importantly, MAMBA understands that “this infrastructure would have to move” if the land it occupies were later needed for housing. Ellsworth said the likely housing on that parcel is in an outer portion of the larger Country Club Road plan and would come in later stages, reducing the near‑term risk of displacement.

MAMBA chair Arthur Folcia and other group members said the pump track would broaden recreational offerings for Montpelier youth and fill a gap between the small North Branch pump track (which they said is heavily used) and facilities suitable for older or more advanced riders. Folcia emphasized the track’s community and youth focus and said local summer camps have used pump tracks as programming anchors.

Councilor comments emphasized support for the amenity and staff noted MAMBA’s proposal included conceptual drawings; staff had asked MAMBA to supply an updated map after the packet deadline, and staff said they would share it with councilors. The council approved the item on a voice vote.

What happens next: Parks staff will follow up with MAMBA on a refined site map, and the group will move toward permitting and site preparation consistent with park rules and with the understanding the track may be relocated to allow future housing development on the parcel.