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Working group presents bike-park plan for North Mesa; board delays forwarding to council
Summary
A volunteer working group outlined a proposal and community survey supporting a North Mesa bike park, estimated costs and funding options, and secured broad public support; the Parks and Recreation Board tabled a motion to send the presentation to County Council until after a July 22 master-plan meeting.
The Los Alamos Bike Park Working Group presented a community-backed plan for a purpose-built bike park at North Mesa and asked the Parks and Recreation Board to consider forwarding the concept to County Council.
The working-group presentation summarized an eight-month effort to document community benefits, design requirements and site options. “Los Alamos has a huge mountain biking community, but we have, honestly, very limited, biking infrastructure,” said Nathan Mayer, a member of the working group. The presenters recommended a pump track and a larger progression area with jumps and berms, and estimated construction costs of about $250,000 for a pump track and $500,000–$800,000 for a full bike-park buildout.
The group said funding opportunities could reduce the county share: “We could pretty reasonably expect to cut that in half through grants provided through state and even national organizations,” a presenter said. The working group reported more than 270 survey responses; 89% supported a bike park and 85% preferred a North Mesa location. The packet and presentation also noted community outreach including meetings, a May 12 listening session with over 100 attendees, and targeted outreach to equestrian stakeholders.
Why it matters: organizers argued the facility would provide a safe place for skill-building, a hub for trail-etiquette education and family recreation, and a potential modest tourism boost for local businesses.
Presentation details and site selection: the group evaluated four town sites (North Mesa, Olive Street, Overlook Park and Pinion Park). They recommended North Mesa and Overlook (for White Rock) as best meeting design, access and zoning needs. Advantages cited for North Mesa included proximity to a middle school, existing restroom and parking infrastructure, appropriate slope and connectivity to nearby trail systems.
Community engagement and mitigation: the working group emphasized outreach to the equestrian community and said a liaison from the horse community helped shape buffer and routing options. “There’s been a good interaction, as far as making sure that they’re happy with what direction we’re taking,” said Jerry (working-group participant). The group said designs from a public workshop all included a roughly five-acre bike-park element within the broader North Mesa concept.
Costs, materials and maintenance: presenters urged investment in asphalt pump tracks for durability and recommended professionally built wooden ramp structures for advanced features; they acknowledged ongoing maintenance will be required and suggested partnerships with local volunteer trail builders and groups to reduce operating costs.
Board action: a member read a recommended motion to “extend thanks to the bike park working group for their presentation and recommend to council the bike park concept” and to forward the presentation to County Council. After discussion with county staff about timing and an upcoming North Mesa Recreation Master Plan public presentation, the board agreed to postpone sending the presentation to council until after the July 22 North Mesa master-plan public meeting; the motion was tabled.
Next steps: presenters said the bike park concept could move forward either as part of the North Mesa master-plan process or independently using grant funding. The working group offered to continue grant research and to participate in county planning if requested.
