Payson council approves 4 Bay bike skills‑park concept, authorizes phase 1

The Payson City Council voted July 2 to approve a concept plan for a 4 Bay bike skills park and authorized the city to execute phase 1 of the project, which staff and the Forebay committee described as primarily two trail segments: a dedicated equestrian loop and a connector “orange” flow trail tying to existing Wakara routes.

Kevin Crook, vice chair of the Forebay committee, presented the concept plan prepared by Avid Trails and summarized the five functional zones proposed for the site: a technical skills area, flow trails, a dual‑slalom/racing area, a core bike‑park staging/parking area and a dedicated equestrian/hike trail. Crook said the plan includes about 52 standard parking spaces and a separate trailer/horse parking area, and that grant funding is available to cover much of phase 1 work: “we think that we could do this with minimal development in that, bike park core and get the trails established there, find out what kind of use that we hit, and go from that point.”

Why it matters: the project will add multi‑use trail amenities to the city’s Forebay trail system. Committee members stressed the park will be designed to separate equestrian and downhill bike traffic where possible and to tie new routes to existing trails, and staff said phase 1 has grant support to limit use of general fund dollars.

Council action and vote: A council member moved to “approve the 4 Bay bike park concept plan, as presented.” Another council member seconded. The roll‑call vote recorded all council members present voting yes; the city clerk announced the motion carried.

Discussion highlights and caveats: Committee and council members noted that portions of the meadow shown in the concept plans are on private property and that acquiring or negotiating those parcels would change what can be built. Committee members also said the equestrian loop will help reduce conflicts between horses and bikes and that the pump‑track elements originally considered were removed from the Forebay proposal in favor of locating them in community parks.

Implementation: Staff said phase 1 will focus on the horse loop and the connector trail tying into Wakara; grant funds identified by the committee can cover most of that work. Council authorized staff to proceed with the phased approach and to seek required permits and final designs.

Ending: The council directed staff to return with project designs and grant contract details as they are finalized; no appeal or referendum was raised during the meeting.