CMBA works with City to develop Skills Parks

January 15, 2003
Skills Parks

CMBA is working with the City of Calgary to locate appropriate areas to develop skills parks. The skills parks will provide sanctioned areas for freeriders to improve their skills and enjoy their sport. The long term goal is to locate parks in each quadrant of the City in order to allow access by bike or public transportation. This will provide facilities for young riders that do not have access to a car for transportation to less accessible venues such as COP. The initial goal is to locate a single site that is accessible and meets the immediate needs of freeriders. This site will be developed as a demonstration site. If it is successful then other sites will be identified and developed.

Criteria for a Skills Park
  1. We are looking for an area that is approximately 2 acres in size.
  2. We would like access to water (preferably tap versus creek/pond), water is the secret to great dirt jumps...
  3. We would prefer areas not directly adjacent to houses so that noise levels do not become an issue.
  4. Easy biking distance to a city transit stop.
  5. A gentle slope is preferable as it saves from having to pedal hard into jumps built on flat land (or having to build a large run-in).
  6. City property is preferred over private property as then we won't have to deal with a landowner as well.
  7. Wind shelter (trees, buildings, fences, etc...) is definitely a consideration as it's usually pretty windy around here in the spring time.

CMBA expects that the creation of skills parks will reduce the impact on City natural areas from people building illegal jumps and ramps. By providing accessible sanctioned parks young people will have an outlet for their sport without having to resort to creating hidden tricks in natural areas. The park will also provide a venue for youth to develop physical skills and a healthy recreation.

CMBA members and long time freeriders, Danny Laroche and John Taplin with help from Radek Burkat have begun the process of creating selection criteria to aid the City in site selection. Once a site is selected that meets these criteria CMBA will enter into an agreement with the City to license the property as a skills park. CMBA members will also take on the responsibility of designing and developing the park.

You can help these parks become a reality. CMBA needs members from the Freeride community in order to demonstrate support for this facility. Joining CMBA will show you want these sorts of facilities in the City. It is a small investment to increase your future riding opportunities.

CMBA is excited to be able to support a growing side of the mountain biking community with this venture. Together we can increase the riding opportunities available to all Calgarians.

For more information on freeriding and making freeriding work refer to the following articles on the IMBA website: