The bike park at Island 22 Regional Park is about to get a much-needed facelift.
There’s a big “closed” sign out front and the bike park is behind metal fencing as they ensure the jumps, trails and tracks are in tip-top shape as the summer season approaches.
The Bike Skills Park has experienced “heavy use” and “significant environmental impacts,” since it was built at Island 22 seven years ago, according to an FVRD report. It is in need of an upgrade.
FVRD parks staff have a regular maintenance routine with path grooming, inspections, and other tasks, but the park “requires the involvement of a bike skills park professional on a regular basis,” to ensure that everything is shaped, packed, and functioning properly and safely, according to a staff report.
The bike skills park was originally designed and built by bike park expert Jay Hoots, with input from the local riding community, and was intended to challenge riders of every skill level.
Island 22 itself sees half a million visits per year, and the bike park is “hugely” popular with families and professional riders alike.
“There are riders present at any time of day on a daily basis, and on a good day can see up to 30 riders at a time,” the report states.
The bike park features five main riding zones and one perimeter trail.
“A recent review of the Bike Skills Park, which involved the riding community and a bike skills professional, identified that additional maintenance was required to ensure that the park continues to be safe and meets the recreational needs of the riders,” according to the report.
The $9,500 facelift for the park is coming out of the 2019 FVRD parks budget.
Upgrades include:
