Then, at 10 a.m., Mayor Boyd W. Dunn and other guests will speak, followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. riders will be allowed into the park by age group for 30-minute sessions. The park will officially open to all riders at 1 p.m. The first 400 bike riders to register at the event will receive a free t-shirt.
Because this is the first public bike-only park built by an Arizona municipality, its opening has been highly anticipated in the BMX/freestyle bike riding community. The grand opening event is expected to attract riders from around the state, and professional riders from throughout the southwest United States. More information is online at www.chandleraz.gov/bikepark.
“In other communities, the bike riders are sharing space with skateboard riders. This is the only public park in Arizona that has been designed with significant input from bike enthusiasts and with bikes as the only users,” said Mickey Ohland, the City’s park development and operations manager.
When planning for the park began several years ago, a 12-member focus group of local riders was formed to provide input in the design process. The group included riders of all ages and ability levels – from elementary school students, to teens, adults, and even a parent. “The focus group was instrumental in suggesting riding features to our architects,” Ohland said. “And we made every effort to incorporate their suggestions into the final design. It really is their park.”
The 23,000-square-foot Chandler Bike Park has features with names in the BMX jargon, like jump box, double roller, mole hill, hubba ledge, and sub rail. One of its most anticipated features for thrill seekers is a 6-foot tall wall that combines with a 5-foot wall extension to create a vertical surface that will be a foot taller than a basketball hoop. The park will also have a covered ramada inside the perimeter fence, a feature requested by the parent serving on the focus group. // The Chandler Bike Park will be open every day from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. during the summer, and 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the winter. However, on the last Tuesday of every month the facility will not open until 2:30 p.m. so that routine maintenance can be conducted.
The new bike park gives Chandler two of the best public extreme sports facilities in the State. The 35,000-square-foot Chandler Skate Park at the Snedigar Sportsplex in south Chandler opened to the public in May 2000.
Chandler Bike Park Grand Opening Saturday, May 5, 2007
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8:30 a.m. Pro-Rider Demonstrations*
10:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Boyd W. Dunn
10:30 a.m. Riders Ages 9 & Under Only
11:00 a.m. Riders Ages 10-13 Only
11:30 a.m. Riders Ages 14-17 Only
12:00 p.m. Riders Ages 18 & Older Only
12:30 p.m. Open Riding for All Ages
*Pro riders and teams interested in participating in the Chandler Bike Park grand opening event are asked to contact Mickey Ohland at (480) 782-2743.