Council hears master plan to add bike trails, pump track and playground at Flying Creek south parcel

Consultants from Thompson Engineering and Taylor Trails presented the Fairhope City Council with a master plan for the south parcel of the Flying Creek Nature Preserve that would add multi-use trails, a bike playground, a pump track, restroom pavilion, a tool shed for volunteer maintenance and a small adventure play area.

The south parcel described in the presentation is roughly 32 acres and is proposed as the city’s active park component of the preserve; the plan aims for about 3.5 miles of mountain-biking trail by preserving approximately 1.5 miles of existing community-built lines and adding new, engineered trail. Project representatives told council they want to preserve vegetative buffers, limit tree clearing and maintain connectivity to the north parcel and the site’s tunnel access.

Project lead (Thompson Engineering) described program elements that include a main entrance on Triangle Drive, a trail hub and pavilion, a viewing perch, restroom pavilion, bike playground and pump track, and an adventure play area near the parking and restroom. “We’re looking for approval of this master plan from you all as city council,” a presenter said during the presentation.

Aaron Steel of Taylor Trails explained the bike-skill features and pump track as training spaces for beginners and warm-ups for riders: “The bike playground are a series of features, both dirt and wood or concrete ... they’re for people trying to build up their skills and trying to learn how to ride their bikes safely,” he said.

Presenters emphasized balancing advanced mountain-bike features with safety; they identified about 0.7 miles of advanced trails in the concept and said they will scale or remove unsafe gap jumps built by community members. They proposed construction techniques using dirt and natural materials where possible and recommended a small locking tool shed for volunteer maintenance groups that currently store tools under tarps.

Council members asked about trail density on the modestly sized parcel and liability for higher-risk features. One council member asked whether 3.5 miles of trail would crowd the 30–35 acres; presenters said the lines would be separated and routed to avoid feeling crowded. On liability, staff advised the council that the city is entitled to some legal protections for recreational facilities under state law, though there remains a risk of claims for injuries on advanced features.

Not all council members were persuaded. Council member Jack said he was concerned that the south parcel is “a biking park. That’s all it is,” and warned the plan may cater to a relatively small user group even if it brings tourism. Other council members and staff noted that planned multi-use segments, a playground, restrooms and pump track could broaden the parcel’s appeal to families and non-mountain bikers.

Presenters asked council to approve the master plan so the project can proceed to design development, construction documents, bidding and then construction; no formal vote was recorded at the work session. Next steps listed in the presentation were design/bid phases, habitat-management coordination and project permitting; the city also noted additional GoMesa grant funds for a Phase 2 on the north parcel and an anticipated nature center opening in July.

Ending: Council discussion closed with staff and consultants saying they will refine design details, address safety and liability concerns in the engineering phase, and return with construction documents and permitting actions for future council approvals.