Castle Rock Bike Skills Park - Association of Washington Cities

AWC Municipal Excellence Award Program
2014 Entry Form
Go to AWC’s website, awcnet.org, for application details.
Please check the category you are entering:
Include this form with each entry you submit.
~ Empowering citizens
El Innovative open government
LI Making a difference in your environment
El Process streamlining
Li Small city successes (pop. of 7,500 and under)
Title of project
CitylTown
Castle Rock Bike Skills Park
Castle Rock
Form completed by:
Name
Title
Phone
Email
Ryana Covington
Clerk-Treasurer
3602748181 ext 303
rcovington~ci.castle-rock.wa.us
Please email your entry and this form by April 29, 2014 to:
rnuniexawards~awcnet. org
You can also mail your entry to:
Association of Washington Cities
1076 Franklin St. SE
Olympia, WA 98501-1 346
Questions?
Contact Michelle Harvey at michelleh~awcnet.org or 360-753-4137.
__
AWC MUNICIPAL EXCELLENCE AWARD APPLICATION
‘CASTLE ROCK BIKE SKILLS PARK’
CATEGORY: Empowering Citizens
PROJECT STATEM ENT~
The Castle Rock Park Plan identified a barren stretch of land along the city’s Riverfront Trail for
off-road bicycle use. Using sandy dredge spoil material from the site, the city had ‘roughed-in’ a
small BMX bicycle track for children to ride on. During the summer months, the track did not
receive much use because the sandy material did not allow needed traction and the course did
not offer any variety to test skills.
In 2011, a group of mountain bike enthusiasts (an unofficial club called the Growlers Gulch
Racing Club), led by local resident Jim LeMonds, approached city councilmembers with an idea
to improve the site for use by all skill levels and age groups. LeMonds requested permission to
create a pump track in the location of the existing BMX track. He stated pump tracks are
growing in popularity, but the closest ones to Cowlitz County were in Seattle and Gresham,
Oregon. Once completed, the goal is to become a regional draw for the area. LeMonds stated
the project would be built using only volunteer labor, material and donations; with no funding
being requested from the city, School Superintendent Susie Barker and Castle Rock Park Board
Commissioner Roy Henson enthusiastically endorsed the proposal as a means to improve
bicycle skill levels for children and provide an activity for all age groups and families. With
unanimous support from city officials, LeMonds began to enlist his army of volunteers.
PROJECT PLANNING:
LeMonds and members of the Growlers Gulch Racing Club worked with Al Hansen to design the
pump track and bike park facility. The intent was to develop a bike park that would offer a
variety of riding choices and challenge levels. Features in the final design included the pump
track, technical trail lines suitable for refining skills used in mountain biking, and a beginnerintermediate jump line. LeMonds estimated the project would cost nearly $200,000 if contracted
out. He hoped with the use of recycled material, donated manpower and equipment; the out of
pocket cost could be kept to around $20,000, which would be used for equipment rental and
materials.
Growlers Gulch Racing Club called upon mountain bike enthusiasts from both Oregon and
Washington and also local community groups and individuals to assist. North County
Recreation Association, a local non-profit offered to manage the project donations. The City of
Castle Rock allocated $1,000 toward processing of environmental permits, which included a
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SEPA review, fill/grade permit and a stormwater permit from Department of Ecology. Local
contractors offered machinery and donated man hours.
The area proposed for development of the castle Rock Bike Skills Park Is approximately three acres and is located on city-owned
land between the Riverfront Trail and the cowlitz River. Vehicular access is from Dike Road and includes a proposed parking area.
Finalized plans prepared by Al Hansen, with input from mountain bike enthusiasts. The plan actually includes three different bike
areas designed to be used by all skill levels.
Members of the Growlers Gulch Racing Club expected the process would take time and
estimated a year to complete the initial phase. Work parties began near the end of 2011 and
by February 2012, over 1,000 volunteer hours had been logged by over 71 volunteers. Projects
2
completed included the pump track and an elevated trail. LeMonds credits the dedicated
volunteers. He noted they worked in monsoons, snow and spent precious ‘good weather’ time
at the site when asked. Almost 80% of the logged volunteer hours came from those living
outside of the immediate city limits and included residents from the surrounding Castle Rock
area, Woodland, Battle Ground, Vancouver and Oregon (Rainier, Portland and Clatskanie)
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January 2012. Excavator had been rented — no matter the
weather. Eighteen hardy volunteers showed up to help.
Much of the work involved manual labor and
no fear of getting dirty.
Volunteers laying recycled payers to add s
dredge soil base.
Volunteers working on developing the jump lines.
~y to sandy
3
In a February 12, 2012 Daily News article, Jim LeMonds marveled at how much they were able
to find in donated material. In fact, he was quoted as proudly saying ‘we are the kings of
recycling’. He noted that organizers are proud of the way they have been able to use a variety
of recycled material. Old poles from Public Utility District of Cowlitz County have been cut for
supports and obstacles, surplus four-by-fours were found in a salvage yard at Oregon
Department of Transportation. Concrete slabs from replaced sidewalk projects have been
crushed into gravel. Old culverts that were slated to be disposed of were integrated into the
design. Volunteers were asked to check scrap piles for usable materials, especially pressure
treated wood and outdoor wood. This article also reports that monetary donations exceeding
$17,000 were collected with about half of the funds collected from businesses and the other
half from members of the mountain biking community. And no construction funds were paid for
by the city.
Donated PUD poles with PUD General Manager Don
McMaster handling the work.
Donated drainage pipe from Cowlitz county
Concrete slabs from street project
View of east side of project, Spring 2012
One special donation came from Castle Rock High School student Eli Kranz. Kranz, assisted by
a large group of friends and family, raised funds, purchased materials and constructed a 12’ x
14’ picnic shelter, with a cement floor, at the Bike Park for his Eagle Scout Project. The
structure was completed September 2012 and is valued at more than $3,500.
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Eli Kranz and and friends building picnic shelter
for Bike Park.
This project was initiated by Kranz as his Eagle
Scout project.
~j
Picture of completed project!
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OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING
—
Sept 22~ 2012 (Bike Park Blowout)!
After nearly sixteen months of planning and construction, an excess of $20,000 in donations
and over 2,000 volunteer hours; a crowd of over 300 attended the Grand Opening celebration
of the Castle Rock Bike Skill Park! Events included a skills clinic, a 10-station kids challenge,
raffle prizes and lunch provided by North County Recreation Association. Cowlitz Fire District
#6 provided EMT coverage and PeaceHealth Medical Center sponsored a helmet giveaway.
Guests included representatives from several businesses that donated toward the project, and
supporting organizations which included Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, City of Castle
Rock, and Cowlitz Economic Development Council.
Bike Skill
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The pump track designed for all ages and skill levels. Pump tracks are a series of rolls and berms built in a loop that can be
ridden continuously without the need for pedaling. Riding on a pump track is a highly effective way to build biking skills and
techniques such as balance, cornering, speed maintenance and stamina. These little ones are just having fun!
L.ONG-TERM COMMITMENT:
Jim LeMonds and the Growlers Gulch Racing Club continue to make improvements to the site;
remarking ‘this will always be a work in progress’. The long term goal is to create a regional
destination spot for mountain bike and pump track enthusiasts that will accommodate all age
and skill levels. In 2013, the City of Castle Rock granted use of an additional two acres for the
development of more trails and berms to be built. Aside from regular maintenance of the site,
volunteers continue to improve the parking lot facilities, install landscaping, and install payers
for traction on hills, Added features also included a new kid’s line, beginner ramp and log ride
overs. A second annual Bike Park Blowout was held and plans are to continue this well-received
event.
LeMonds stated this year’s priority will be maintaining the site. This includes vegetation control
and continuing to find ways to reduce erosion on the sandy slopes. Volunteer interest
continues to be strong. Projects for 2014 will include installation of additional payers to create
a more stable surface for bikers and improving some of the jumps.
6
KIDS’ CHALLENGE
STARTS HERE!
Hit all 10 stations and collect a
sticker for your helmet at each.
Bring the stickers back here
and we II give you a raffle hcket
for our prize drawings for each
sticker you earn.
Prize drawing at 2:00pm.
Dont miss it!
Pictures from 2013 Second Annual Bike Park Blow-out Event.
G ROWLERS GULCH RACING RECOGNIZED:
In 2012, Cowlitz On The Move and Pathways 2020 recognized the accomplishment of Growlers
Gulch Racing by awarding them with the Champion of Healthy Lifestyles. The award was given
in recognition to the group’s contributions to area biking by encouraging new ridership, creating
and maintaining trails, development of the Castle Rock Bike Skills Park and providing
opportunities for riders of all skill levels.
BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME:
Since opening in 2012, the Castle Rock Bike Skills Park has seen a variety of groups taking
advantage of the facility. From mountain bike skill training clinics to birthday parties, family
gatherings and annual community events; the Castle Rock Bike Skills Park provides a place
where families of all ages and skill levels can come to play. The facility also has received
attention from the biking industry. In addition to local news articles, information on the Castle
Rock Bike Skills Park also has been published in Bike Parks And Trails, NW Cyclist and Portland
Bicycle Travel Examiner; all of which bring new visitors to our community.
Jim LeMonds stated ‘I can’t stress enough how proud I am of the people who have been
involved in the build. They have donated money and time and when we have a work party it is
a tough full-on, physical day that is very demanding.’ He noted, ‘Seeing people out there;
that’s what it is all about. The smiles on their faces.... that makes all this worth doing.’
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April 2013; Volunteers working on landscape improvements. Raised trails, picnic shelter and pump track area.
Volunteers have installed over 700 payers on the site to provide a
more stable surface on the sanding dredge spoil slopes. More
payers are to be installed in 2014.
Good picture of dredge spoil materials at site
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Castle Rock Bike Skills Park
Castle Rock Bike SkIllo Park
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Castte Rock Bike Skills Park
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Jump tires, drops, stdrrules, lugouers, and the Pacilic Nurthwnsfs largest pomp track.
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Write somethIng on Castle Rock Bike Skills Park’s Page...
Castle Rock Bike Sluillo PaiR shored a hpk.
April21
A creun of 27 accomplished big thingo at the pork on April lglh,
Huge thanks to those who showed.
tovite Your Prirrnda to Like Ihia Page
Type a frluud’s name,..
lrttp:f(wrlteteknorthweut.ccm/archivus/15083/smsli’crew’
ccrnpletes-big~work’at-csstla’t’cck’bike’park
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WrIteTal( Northwest
Rock Bika Park
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Small Craw Completes Blç~ WarS at Castle
it was our only siguiflcaut work party 0f thu year at the Castle Rock thke
Park and we made It count. A crew ci’ 27 completed a number of lobs
that mu hoary the quality of the park op another level.
L7e Ccerrr.uit’ Sharu
4 pecçtv like this.
review.
Chaos, Martin
My kids and I loved the bike park blow out and the bike park. My
51 year old Iked the pvnrp track and jarup lions hesta,.. SeC Mare
Like
3
5 about 7 nronthu ago
~ iliohani Howard
Ii. * **~
ten like clrrlulxnras ten rue every time I ride thIs parkl
Like about 3 orouths ann~
Write a ceusmeut,..
~ Castle Rock Bike Striltu Park thured a lot.
~ Castle Rock Bike SkIlls Park
~ February $
Great to hear that Touya breedlove was in town anti had a
chance to chock out the bike park. Tonya In married to Al
ilanten, wlro helped put together the violon for the park dating
the early days. He and Tonya now live a Florida.
t.tarch t7
http:/Jvlrtteteknorthwevt.coln/arcllinesf1493lIbike~park’bulld’setfor-april’tOth
WrlteTel, t’lorthnanst r’ Bike Park Build Set fur AprIl 1901,
writetekeurthwest.coor
We oil be booing only one nrajnr build duy at the Castle Reck Bike...
She pronounced the park ‘awesome~ and ‘intense.’
https ://www.facebook.cornlpages/Castle-Rock-Bike-Skills-Park/1 53407048045082