Following a dozen video appearances by Mercer Island residents stating their support and opposition of the Bike Skills Area (BSA) at Upper Luther Burbank Park, the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission and staff members settled in for a robust assessment of the area.
As the nearly three-hour video meeting came to a close on April 26, the seven-member commission moved to support the staff-recommended short-term option No. 2: To reopen the current BSA at its current site with a more simplified design, predicated on the city finding an alternative location that can be opened within two to three years.
Alaine Sommargren, the city’s deputy director of Public Works, noted that it would take some time before reopening the BSA since the city needs to find a designer and develop a plan, secure limited permitting with Community Planning and Development and complete construction work.
Since Oct. 7, 2021, the area has been shuttered due to significant operating challenges and safety concerns, including unauthorized course expansion and construction of new trails — which deteriorated some vegetation — and large jumps that exceeded the posted guidelines, according to the city.
“The wheels are in motion to temporarily open the BSA again and continue to look for a long-term option,” said Jodi McCarthy, chair of the commission. Staff-recommended long-term option No. 5 for the commission to consider was relocating the BSA to Deane’s Children’s Park at 5701 Island Crest Way. The commission didn’t make a long-term decision at the meeting.
According to Jason Kintner, Public Works director and chief of operations, the commission-approved short-term option would require new jump-building materials, a consultant to assist with the rebuild and more. Users wouldn’t be permitted to alter or expand the course, and the site would be closed if they don’t follow the rules. Projected cost of that option would be $50,000-$75,000.
In addition to the option approval, the commission moved that it should receive the preliminary design from staff for review and that the entire process should include “reasonable opportunity for meaningful public comment” through the city’s Let’s Talk page, a weekly newsletter and signage at the BSA.
A host of residents who appeared at the meeting spoke of the importance of the BSA for kids, who engage in riding to be active and are drawn toward its energetic nature. One resident who opposes the BSA said that the illegal expansion damaged the natural suburban forest.
Following the closure, the city hired consultant Mike McIntyre from Action Sports Design (ASD) out of Austin, Texas, to provide the city with a condition assessment, areas of concern and recommendations for improved design and operation.
“A lot of our focus in this work with Action Sports Design was focused on site safety, No. 1, and second, sustainability. So, really figuring out if there was a way for the Bike Skills Area to coexist with the open space area that surrounds it,” Sommargren said.
The city received the report in late March, and some of ASD’s recommendations were: to restore native soil used for jumps to all slope bases in order to stabilize the adjacent hillsides; replant native vegetation; perform a full tree assessment; and have a professionally designed course maintained in its designed form.
Since October 2021, the city has regraded soils at the site, removed all jumps, restored soils to undermined slopes, removed four declining trees, hosted a volunteer event that included the planting of 400 native shrubs and trees and more.
For more information about the BSA, visit https://letstalk.mercergov.org/bike-skills-area-at-upper-luther-burbank-park.
