By Zach Friend, County Supervisor 2nd District
One new bike pump track and one significant remodel are providing new bike options for our community. As our office works with the Parks Department and the local biking community to look for improved bike park options in our district (and countywide), the new pump track and bike jumps at McGregor Park and the Polo Grounds provide great options for our district.
McGregor Park
A new bicycle pump track opened in mid-August at McGregor Park in Capitola. The pump track is part of a popular multi-use park with a skate feature and dog park. A pump track is a continuous loop of dirt berms that allow riders to travel the entire length without peddling — just “pumping” their bike to keep moving. Since pump tracks don’t have formal jumps, it allows for riders of all skill levels and ages to use the park. The approximately 7,000 sq. ft. park was built by Alex Fowler and Action Sports Construction, a local firm with experience building and maintaining bike parks worldwide. Action Sports Construction is based in Aptos and has played a role in several local bicycle parks, including the jumps at the Polo Fields (more details below).
The pump track was funded as part of a community partnership with Family Cycling Center and CrossFit. They provided a $15,000.00 donation, which allowed the project to move forward.
In addition, the McGregor pump track has a special separate section for smaller kids that are just learning to ride. This section was funded in part by the Capitola Public Safety and Community Services Foundation, which donated $2,500 toward the construction of that section. McGregor Park can be found at 1560 McGregor Drive in Capitola (in between Park and State Park Drive).
Polo Grounds
The nearly 10,000 square foot site provides bike jump opportunities for differing levels — from beginning to intermediate. Last spring Epicenter Cycling and the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz received approval from the County Parks Department to rebuild and update the jumps. Volunteers, such as Alex Reveles and Dirt Magic Creations, Alex Fowler of Action Sports Construction and Dave Smith of Shuttle Smith Adventures took the lead on the bike jump improvements.
The volunteers improved drainage at the site and made notable improvement to the jumps. Local bike riders have taken note. The County Parks Department has noted increased enthusiasm at the park including the new design features, which include small jumps and “rollers” for true beginners. Part of the work designed by Alex Fowler included an intermediate tabletop jump line that provides a challenging option for the more intermediate riders.
Interested in riding the rebuilt park? The Polo Grounds can be found at 2255 Huntington Avenue in Aptos.
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As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to call me at 454-2200.