Thom Cat
Silver Member
Bikes, scooters now allowed at skate park
Friday, May 21, 2010
By Kathy Fuller
The Hillsboro Argus
The Argus
Bike and scooter riders will soon have a place to frolic in Hillsboro.
The Hillsboro City Council adopted an ordinance Tuesday allowing the use of bikes and scooters, side-by-side with skateboards and inline skates, at Reedville Creek Skate Park.
This is a trial run for the summer months. After researching what other cities allow at their skate parks, the parks and recreation commission recommended that bikes and scooters be allowed at Hillsboro's only skate park.
The new rules take effect June 18, according to Corinne Bloomfield, park and recreation community resources manager. The trial period will continue through mid-September.
Several city councilors expressed concern about the safety of bikes using the same space at the same time as skateboarders.
"I'm interested in what impact bikes will have on other users," said Councilor Doug Johnson. The parks and recreation commission researched the idea of allowing bikes at specific times, separate from other users, but concluded that enforcement of such a rule would be difficult.
"The reality is that bikes have been using the park anyway," Bloomfield said. "There probably will be additional bike usage now."
Park and recreation staff will observe the skate park during the summer months. Park maintenance staff will assess the facility regularly to determine if bikes or scooters are causing additional damage to the skate park surface.
Park users can send comments to the city via the community feedback link on the city's Web site, www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/ParksRec/Default.aspx. In the very near future, Bloomfield said, skateboarders and bikers will be able to text their comments and concerns directly to the city. Signs will also go up at the park about the new usage rules.
The City Council will get an update on the issue again in the fall and decide whether or not to allow scooters and bikes permanently.
Bloomfield said there was discussion during this process about building a bike-only facility in the future. The 2009 Hillsboro Parks and Trails Master Plan identifies future demand "for another facility, especially one that accommodates both skateboards and bikes."
Timing of a future park would depend on funding availability and appropriate location, Bloomfield said.
Friday, May 21, 2010
By Kathy Fuller
The Hillsboro Argus
The Argus
Bike and scooter riders will soon have a place to frolic in Hillsboro.
The Hillsboro City Council adopted an ordinance Tuesday allowing the use of bikes and scooters, side-by-side with skateboards and inline skates, at Reedville Creek Skate Park.
This is a trial run for the summer months. After researching what other cities allow at their skate parks, the parks and recreation commission recommended that bikes and scooters be allowed at Hillsboro's only skate park.
The new rules take effect June 18, according to Corinne Bloomfield, park and recreation community resources manager. The trial period will continue through mid-September.
Several city councilors expressed concern about the safety of bikes using the same space at the same time as skateboarders.
"I'm interested in what impact bikes will have on other users," said Councilor Doug Johnson. The parks and recreation commission researched the idea of allowing bikes at specific times, separate from other users, but concluded that enforcement of such a rule would be difficult.
"The reality is that bikes have been using the park anyway," Bloomfield said. "There probably will be additional bike usage now."
Park and recreation staff will observe the skate park during the summer months. Park maintenance staff will assess the facility regularly to determine if bikes or scooters are causing additional damage to the skate park surface.
Park users can send comments to the city via the community feedback link on the city's Web site, www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/ParksRec/Default.aspx. In the very near future, Bloomfield said, skateboarders and bikers will be able to text their comments and concerns directly to the city. Signs will also go up at the park about the new usage rules.
The City Council will get an update on the issue again in the fall and decide whether or not to allow scooters and bikes permanently.
Bloomfield said there was discussion during this process about building a bike-only facility in the future. The 2009 Hillsboro Parks and Trails Master Plan identifies future demand "for another facility, especially one that accommodates both skateboards and bikes."
Timing of a future park would depend on funding availability and appropriate location, Bloomfield said.
