Update: Plainfield Bike Park

This past week CAMBr-West, formally CAMBr-Oswego, took the floor at the Plainfield Park District’s board meeting to present our presentation and proposal of a bike skills park. The mastermind behind the proposal, Kevin Marley, hit a home run with the delivery of the bike park and Mark Baudler put together a top-notch slideshow. Local riders were well represented as there were contingents of Team Sally members and CPX trail builders, along with KC and Jake from American Bicycle. If we wanted to we could have filled the room wall to wall but we elected not to.

The park district was great by giving Kevin the floor to present the entire presentation that probably took almost an hour including a Q and A session that all the riders chimed in on. It was very hard to gauge what they were thinking as there were a lot of very bland looking faces but when the time came to ask questions they fired away. What was excellent is that for every question they asked Kevin, like a magician, pulled out graphs and charts, referred back to previous slides, held up insurance policies or an IMBA book, or had his answer formulated in his head.

By the conclusion of the meeting the park district; board commissioners and staff members, was excited about the proposal. They praised us on our very thorough presentation and having conducted adequate research. But most importantly they said that they could see a bike park going up! The biggest road bump right now appears to be land for the park and for parking. Our design was based on an acre lot for the park.

Next step is for us to present to them the additional information they have requested so they can conduct their own research into the pros and cons of bike parks in the communities in which they serve and to get a better understanding of bike parks in general.

The way things are going right now Chicago will be getting its first bike skills park soon!

One thing to keep in mind is that the building phase of the bike park is not possible without the help of volunteers and monetary donations. Yes, we will be applying for grants, sponsorship, and doing additional fund raising but additional funds will still be needed. Renting earthmovers will be burning a few holes in our pockets. Anyone willing to man a shovel, make a donation, or do both will be greatly appreciated by Kevin, Mark, and I.