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Parks and Rec to pitch pump track for Esposito Park

It would be a great place to combine fitness and fun for kids of all ages, in a downtown location.

It would be a great place to combine fitness and fun for kids of all ages, in a downtown location.
 
The community bicycle parks committee, a group within the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC), wants to see a special type of bicycle park known as a ‘pump track’ constructed on the west side of Esposito Park on Queen Street West.
 
The group held a public information open house at the Civic Centre Thursday, along with the City’s Community Services Department staff.
 
The proposed facility is based on pump tracks in other communities around the world, like the one shown here.
 
The area of the park would be 115 metres east to west and 32 metres north to south.
 
PRAC member Deane Greenwood told SooToday.com at Thursday’s open house that a pump track includes features such as rollers and berms that cyclists ride up and over on.
 
“As cyclists ride down, they accelerate a little bit and ‘pump’ down the track.  They can actually go around the track without having to pedal very much.”
 
Pump tracks are ideal for cyclists from six years old to 18 years old, Greenwood said, but can be enjoyed by cyclists of all ages.
 
Greenwood said the Esposito Park location was chosen out of six different sites, because of its proximity to the Hub Trail and the number of young people in the surrounding neighbourhood who could enjoy such a facility, adding that it would help fill a need for recreational areas in that part of the community.
 
“The committee would like to see two or three of these, one in the west end, one in the east end, one in the central area.”
 
Greenwood’s group, which includes well-known local cyclist Andre Riopel, received the go-ahead from City Council in January to proceed with the public input phase of the project.
 
The next step is to take input from Thursday’s open house and compile a report to take back to Council.
 
It would then be up to Council to approve the project, but construction of the facility, if approved, would not likely commence until spring 2014 because aqueduct repair work in the Esposito Park area will begin this summer and last until October.
 
The price tag for a pump track covered with a dirt surface is approximately $45,000.
Community Services Department Commissioner Nick Apostle told us “Council hasn’t set aside the money yet, but they are very supportive and aware of how much is in a reserve account, and there’s enough to go ahead and support it to the level of $45,000.”
 
Greenwood and his group would ideally like to see a pump track with an asphalt surface, but the cost of an asphalt pump track is estimated to be twice, or even three times the amount for a dirt-covered track.
 
Greenwood said his group is eagerly seeking out private sector support.
 
What concerns were raised by residents Thursday?
 
Greenwood acknowledged “I’ve had neighbours concerned about fencing, to protect children from Queen Street West traffic.”
 
What of the potential risk of the pump track as a target area for drug dealers?
 
“We’ve found the kids police themselves at places like the skateboard park in the east end,” Greenwood said.
 
Ward 4 City Councillor Rick Niro described himself as a supporter of the plan, but noted he would prefer to see an asphalt-covered track.
 
Commissioner Apostle said “we hope to have something to PRAC soon and report back to Council in May.  We don’t want to sit very long on this.”
 
Apostle added “this would be absolutely great for the whole community.  The physical activity aspect and the age range this would cater to is great, and it would be good to integrate this location close to the Hub Trail.” 
 
“I haven’t heard of any concerns from neighbourhood residents, just minor ones that can be easily addressed,” Apostle said.
 
SooToday.com would like to thank Community Services Department Commissioner Nick Apostle and Community Services Supervisor Virginia McLeod for providing the photo above. 

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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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