Possible BMX park/ dirt jumps in Bloomington

[Gnat5680]

I need your help. i found some of what look like an old bmx park. the only delema is that is is located in or right next to the leach-free dog park in south west bloomington on 111th st and nesbitt ave across from best buy distribution center. the problem is that the trail is by a fenced area. the dog park is about 25 acres or so and it has one side that is not fenced off. immedely inside that area is an old bmx area the somehow flows into the dog park. i was wondering wether anyone in that area could look other wise the gps (for those with google earth) is [44 48 11.08 N 93 21 41.84 w] if you look at the trees it is nothing but jumps and moguls. please let me know what you think of the idea.

[ShortThrow]

Is that really a bmx park? I don't think it is, but maybe you know better than I do. I know there is one HUGE mound, and the one smaller one, and then the ones you are talking about within the trees; but I don't think it's an old bmx park because there are probably 500 'moguls' in there. I think they were built up like solely for the pupose of the dog park. They are aligned in what seems to be complete randomness with no ride line. I really don't think that's what it's meant for.

My dogs love it though!

[Gnat5680]

but they could be used as them if you clean them up a bit but the other end is open an dogs can escape from the park if they want to. but it would make some good riding. the big mound has got some tire marks on it so people have been using it. and the inside has some wood post and what looks like a ladder on some of the trees.

[Wheels]

If you're interested in a legit bmx area in Minneapolis, get in touch with me - I'm rounding up a group to work with the city on a full-blown BMX park.

Keep in mind, we support legal access for all riding here at MORC - so I hope any suggestion of using the area in Bloomington follows the proper channels.

[ShortThrow]

but they could be used as them if you clean them up a bit but the other end is open an dogs can escape from the park if they want to. but it would make some good riding. the big mound has got some tire marks on it so people have been using it. and the inside has some wood post and what looks like a ladder on some of the trees.

Sounds like a decent Idea, but I don't see it going anywhere. TONS of people use that dog park, including myself.

[fresh]

I've been searching these boards to try and find a decent place for us BMXers to fool around and have some fun. Maybe a place with some nice doubles and rythem section.

Any ideas? I'm up in Champlin.

[Gnat5680]

If you're interested in a legit bmx area in Minneapolis, get in touch with me - I'm rounding up a group to work with the city on a full-blown BMX park.

Keep in mind, we support legal access for all riding here at MORC - so I hope any suggestion of using the area in Bloomington follows the proper channels.

sorry for sounding like an idiot but what do you mean by leagal access for all and follow the proper channels.

do you mean asking for MORC's help or talk to the city?

but the area is big enough for the dogs if you cut out that part. there will probuly be a good 15- 20 acres or so(if im right that it is 25 acres) and the area at the end is not fenced in.

[Wheels]

I'm just suggesting that you work with the city (not necessarily MORC per se) if that's not what you were already saying. But it is MORC's board, so we like to encourage following the proper channels - and you could get help from MORC as they have a relationship with Bloomington via the River Bottoms trail and IMBA.

IMBA has some great resources available (even grants) for building jumping trails.

[steef]

Shawn: I'm glad to hear this project is still in the works. I'm not much into dirt jumping, but I think I could learn again and do what I can to help out. I finally got a chance to ride my Freestyle bike a little this afternoon. :D

[Wheels]

Unfortunately I can't report anything solid, but I keep pushing it whenever I get the chance (that is when I'm talking to the MPRB planner).

It's going to take a group like MOCA to come forward and make it happen, it's not going to happen on it's own - but the opportunity is there.

[Gnat5680]

who should i talk to up in the city offices?
parks and recreation or some one else?

[biker joe]

The Roseville Skating Center has the largest skate park in the midwest and is open to ALL (open to mtn bikers who want to give it a try) bikers. We open up May 6th. Give me a call m-f 8am to 1pm if you want any more info at 651-792-7124 or our direct line at 651-792-7007. There are 19 ramps jumps etc, all of which are designated as tier 2, which meens they are over 4ft. A waiver must be filled out in person or notorized at the skating center (that is good all year), and persons under 18 must have a parent/guardian fill out the waiver at the skating center. A helmet and knee pads are required at all times when in the park. The surface consists of ultra smooth concrete and metal/wood ramps-jumps.
www.ci.roseville.mn.us (http://www.ci.roseville.mn.us)

[biker joe]

the cost for the RSC bmx/ skate park is $5.00 a time and you may buy a ten session punch card for $45.00 (saves you five bucks). The price is down $2 from last season.

[manual63]

About BMX vs MTB (MORC).

Not that MORC isn't interested, but right now MORC is not into BMX parks. That being said, I think we are in the days of major cross overs between BMX and Mountain biking, mostly because of the freeride movement.

It seems we see a lot of people asking MORC about BMX jumps. Right now we don't affiliate with any and we don't support or promote illegal trails. But, there are some freeride parks being talked about. If we can simply change the wording to freeride and most likely that will include BMX bikes (why not? a bike is a bike). The MPRB is talking about doing one and it looks like Salem is working on one this summer. So we are headed in the right direction.

Besides, a BMX bike is an Off-Road bicycle.....so I guess it fits in with the MORC name....:-). But this isn't really the place to discuss non-legitimate trails which MORC does not support in any way shape for form. As far as I know, besides official ABA or NBL BMX tracks, most BMX trails are non-legitimate. Hopefully that will change and we too can be involed in developing legit and sustainable BMX/Freeride parks.

[qheuie]

but the area is big enough for the dogs if you cut out that part. there will probuly be a good 15- 20 acres or so(if im right that it is 25 acres) and the area at the end is not fenced in.
off leash dogs and bikes don't play well together (usually). if the city wanted to officially allow bikes in that "forest of mounds" they would have to fence it seperate from the dog park. if you can talk the city into that, good work.

being a regular visitor to the dog park i would avidly fight allowing bikes and off leash dogs to co-exist in a common unfenced area, though. :)

p.s. one of the dog park rules posted on the bloomington web site:
"Keep your child close and do not allow running, screaming or biking."
one can only assume that biking in general (not just by children) is frowned upon. so if you plan on riding the mounds on your own free will, don't be surprised if my monster (http://gallery.straczyk.com/MoreSpazWeb/pages/DSC_9027.htm) attacks your rear wheel :laugh: