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Residents urge caution on pump track cost and call for safer bike routes as council hears public input
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Summary
During public comment Aliso Viejo residents warned about potential safety issues and cost for a proposed pump track (estimated by commenters at $850,000–$1 million), urged more park lighting and protected bike lanes, while the Boys & Girls Club endorsed the pump track as a youth amenity.
Multiple residents spoke during the public comment period about parks, active transportation and a proposed pump track, urging the council to weigh safety, cost and community input before major spending.
Kent Smith, a first-time attendee, said he had heard the pump track could cost "almost $1,000,000 or $850,000" and cautioned that many riders now use fast e-bikes that can reach speeds of about 30 miles per hour; he recommended better lighting at basketball courts and turning lights off at park closing to improve safety and nighttime use. "These e-bikes... they can go fast. Just watch out for that and caution to that," Smith said.
Marie criticized a recent council vote and urged more public engagement about how new park-in-lieu funds — which she said total $6 million — will be spent; she also urged policies to increase owner-occupancy and reported 49 market-rate home listings in Aliso Viejo as of that morning. Marie characterized recent council behavior as poor optics and said the public should be consulted on park priorities before the city spends new funds.
Sebastian highlighted pedestrian and bicycle safety on Pacific Park Drive where he sees students riding downhill on sidewalks to avoid high-speed vehicle traffic. He urged short-term options such as temporary bollards to create protected bike lanes and longer-term planning to connect schools and trails safely.
Nicole Watson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs at Capistrano Valley, thanked the city for its long-standing partnership and endorsed the pump track as an intentional amenity that supports youth development, resilience and active lifestyles. "It isn't just about building another amenity. This is about creating a place where community will gather," Watson said.
Council members and staff responded that resurfacing and road projects will include clearer, better-defined bike lanes and that the city is working with stakeholders on pump track outreach; no formal action was taken at the meeting on the pump track or park-in-lieu spending.
Next steps mentioned on the dais included further outreach, ad hoc committee work on the 25th anniversary and a planned council discussion about a youth financial literacy program on April 15; council members also encouraged residents to engage with staff about specific safety ideas for Pacific Park Drive and other corridors.
