Commission votes to recommend mountain‑bike skill features at Valley View Park to City Council

The Oak Park Heights Parks & Trails Commission voted Jan. 27, 2025 to recommend that the City Council consider permitting additional mountain‑bike skill features at Valley View Park.

Commissioners heard a presentation from Matt Layman, who identified himself as representing the Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Advocates (SASA), a nonprofit affiliated with the local high‑school mountain bike team. Layman said the city already has about three miles of single‑track trail at Valley View Park and that SASA volunteers have been maintaining the trails. He requested permission to add a set of beginner‑focused skill features — including small drops (10–14 inches), steps (riser roughly 6 inches for many beginner features), boardwalks (about 12 inches wide and ~6 inches off the ground) and narrow 'skinny' elements (under 8 inches wide) — and emphasized each feature would include an A‑line alternative so less experienced riders would not be forced onto technical elements.

Layman told the commission the materials would be provided by SASA and the team's coaches and volunteers would supply the labor, saying "really all we're asking for is just permission to build it and and any guidance if you have any." (Matt Layman, representative, SASA)

During questions, a commissioner asked whether any trees would need to be removed and Layman said no. Following that exchange a commissioner moved to recommend the addition of features by SASA and the Stillwater mountain bike team to the City Council; the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for placement on an upcoming council agenda; commissioners discussed a likely council date of Feb. 11 and agreed to coordinate so SASA representatives can attend that council meeting to answer questions.

"We have about three miles of single track at Valley View Park that's pretty well used by the bike team as well as members of the public," Layman said, explaining the request and the focus on new riders. "The materials we should be able to get provided by Sasa so there won't be a cost to you from that standpoint and then the labor would all be by the team by coaches and that sort of thing." (Matt Layman, representative, SASA)

The commission’s vote to recommend is a referral to the City Council; the commission did not adopt construction plans or authorize work to begin. City Council will consider the recommendation on its schedule and any construction would be subject to council approval and any required permits.