Carlsbad Bike Riders Push City for a Bike Park

The following is a Letter to the Editor by Carlsbad resident Dee Folse

We have been working on getting the City of Carlsbad to help us build a bike park. We have attended the meetings and done the surveys and then attended more meetings. I believe we are as close as we've ever been to becoming part of the city agenda. What we need now is one more push. As a grandfather I would love to have the ability to ride my bike with my grandson in a safe creative environment that can handle skill levels from the most novice to the most advanced. How many of us see a kid get a bike and the first thing they hear is don't ride it in the street. So the bike begins to sit in the garage with the rest of the lint balls.
The push we need is for the Mayor and City Council to hear from "residents." Below is a letter you can put your name on and send it in. IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT. Every letter from a resident is huge. Thanks so much for your time, this is important. 
Here is where to send it.

City Council contact info:
City Hall
760-434-2830 
760-720-9461 fax
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
email: council@carlsbadca.gov

Here is a letter you can send to the city council: 

SUBJECT: Requested meeting between the Carlsbad City Council and the local cycling community regarding opening Bike Parks in Carlsbad.     

Mayor Matt Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Packard and Carlsbad Council Members: 

I’m writing today to ask for your support in creating a partnership between the local cycling community and the City of Carlsbad.  We would like to schedule a meeting with the Council to discuss the idea of working together to open Bike Parks in Carlsbad.  You can think of a Bike Park being similar to a skate park but built of dirt, for bicycles and being much less expensive.   We have been active in the recent Parks Assessment Survey and Bike Parks have had similar if not better results to Pickle Ball, which has ben added to the short-term action item list.  

Unfortunately, a bike park was included in a very large “adventure park” project. This adventure park might be built in 4 – 5 years if it is found feasible.  We know that Bike Parks are feasible projects because they are being built all over the country.  Fillmore CA has just announced they will be starting a Bike Park.  Orange County and Ventura Parks Departments are also currently reviewing plans. As I mentioned earlier, opening a bike park in Carlsbad has strong support. Approximately 30 bike park supporters attended the Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on December 4th to show their commitment to the project.  Unfortunately, neither the Staff nor Commission would add a Bike Park to the Assessment Recommendation as its own action item to be addressed in 2014.  

We are willing to volunteer time for construction and maintenance and raise money to bring bike parks to Carlsbad.   If Carlsbad will work with us, we will make it a success. Please make time in the coming week and meet with us.  We have sites in Carlsbad in mind (Hosp Grove, Zone 5 Business Center, Poinsettia and Stagecoach Parks) and concept drawings from other projects ready to discuss.   

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.