Council divides on proposed bike skills park at Merle property; funding removed from recommended budget

Councilors said they support the concept of a bike skills park but were sharply divided over siting the facility on the Merle property. Several councilors and two Open Space & Trails board members (through written comment) raised concerns about the Merle location’s narrow footprint and proximity to roads; others noted the City owns few viable sites and suggested continuing to study alternatives such as Buttermilk or Ski Co. sites.

One councilor asked staff to remove the location‑specific capital appropriation from the recommended budget; the mayor said he would amend the recommended budget to remove the funding but that administrative partnership studies could proceed. Austin Weiss, parks and recreation director, confirmed the Open Space & Trails board met in July and recorded a 4–0 recommendation in favor of the project at that meeting (including the alternate); staff clarified that some members who could not attend submitted opposing positions in writing because the board does not permit remote voting.

Councilors instructed staff that the city could explore partnership options with Ski Co. and other landowners and that site alternatives should be assessed before the council re‑commits capital funding to a specific parcel. No formal motion to adopt the project site was taken tonight.