Numerous BMX bikers attended a Parks and Recreation Board Subcommittee meeting on Thursday evening to advocate the integration of bikes at Phoenix’s planned downtown skateboarding park.
The Urban Skate Plaza, set to be built near East Roosevelt Street and North Central Avenue at Margaret T. Hance Park, is a street plaza for all people, said Jim Burke, assistant director of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department.
You “could enjoy a morning coffee or kids could come ride their boards without getting chased away,” Burke said.
Using an initial donation of $50,000 by the Rob Dyrdek Foundation, Phoenix will construct the urban skateboard park that is expected to be ready for use in as little as six months, according to the Parks and Recreation Board Subcommittee.
However, it is because the park will not allow bikes that a group of Phoenix-metro area BMX riders is in distress.
The park is currently not set to be designed to handle bikes, said Jason Ryan, president of the Bike, Blade and Board Coalition.
“I do not agree with that at all,” Ryan said.
Following Ryan’s testimony, five other BMX riders told the Subcommittee their thoughts on skateboard-only parks.
Phoenix resident Joshua Small was quick to point out the potential economic benefits from bike integration at Urban Skate Plaza.
“The proposed site has always been a hot spot for bicycles, skateboards, roller blades,” Small said. “I see a lot of economic stimulation that can occur because of bikes being allowed into a park.”
After giving testimonies, those who spoke were asked to meet in the lobby so the Phoenix city officials could get into contact and start a dialogue.
“I’ve heard you. I’m willing to work with you,” said Karen Williams, Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department’s Parks Development, Planning and Downtown Division. “If you walk away now, that’s your choice,” Williams told the group of BMX advocates in an informal meeting following their testimonies.
“We don’t mind sharing,” Glendale resident Donald Seidel said, suggesting that sharing one park between skateboards and bikes would cost Phoenix less in the long term.
Ryan, however, said he is wary of the cooperation the City of Phoenix will present in the long term. In his testimony to the subcommittee, Ryan cited a 2004 incident between bike riders and the city council.
“Mayor (Phil) Gordon assigned Councilman (Greg) Stanton to look into this issue,” Ryan said. “He completely blew us off over the course of seven months–wouldn’t answer any e-mails or calls.”
Williams, on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Department, acknowledged the incident saying it was investigated, but Williams said no concrete solutions could be attained at the time.
Further complicating the matter was the assertion that the contract with the Rob Dyrdek Foundation is exclusively for skateboarders.
“But, we’ve heard you, and we’re going to try and find a place to accommodate you,” Williams said. “It all comes down to cost.”
Regardless of the outcome at Urban Skate Plaza, the BMX riders said they will advocate for the continued integration of bikes and skateboards.
“It’s time Phoenix lets bikes in–they’re behind the times,” Ryan said.
Contact the reporter at crcruz1@asu.edu
