A years-in-the-making proposal to construct a BMX pump track at Christmas Hill Park took a step further May 17 when proponents presented a conceptual plan to the Gilroy City Council.
Garlic City BMX, founded by Mary and Jim Garcia of Gilroy, is looking to build pump tracks for older children as well as for toddlers on a half-acre site on the park’s Ranch Site.
A pump track is a circuit of hills, banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders “pumping”—generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedaling or pushing.
The project, which is entirely volunteer- and donation-driven, has been in the works for a number of years, but gained steam in 2019 when the city entered into an agreement with the nonprofit to explore the feasibility of the park. That agreement was later extended to May 2021.
According to the proposal submitted by Garlic City BMX, the nonprofit would be responsible for constructing and maintaining the tracks, as well as hosting various events throughout the year to promote bicycle skills. The city, meanwhile, would assist in delivering dirt from the Glen Loma Ranch housing construction site that would be used for the track, as well as provide liability insurance, among other responsibilities.
Mary Garcia said the track will give Gilroy youth a chance to get outdoors, as well as provide a much safer venue than the makeshift jumps they may build in their own neighborhoods.
As of now, Garcia said that many young people looking for a place to ride their BMX must travel out of town to Santa Cruz or Watsonville, which opened its own pump track earlier this year.
A fundraiser in 2019 showed strong financial support for the project, with more than $5,000 raised, according to Garcia.
“I hope the council realizes this is a very beneficial, fun, safe addition to our community,” she said.
City Administrator Jimmy Forbis said city staff will work with Garlic City BMX to develop a final agreement, which will then be considered by the Parks and Recreation Commission before heading to the council for approval at a future meeting.
