In these demanding and troubled economic times, proponents of many worthy projects appear before a governing body asking for public money to help finance their programs. Let’s hear it for a local group that is willing to pay for its venture if the Lawrence City Commission will only provide a little land.
A local group is interested in setting up and totally paying for a BMX bicycle track. It may take more than $50,000, even as much as $100,000, to get it done, but David Ross and the new Lawrence Area Recreation Riders Initiative are willing to do the fund-raising, at no taxpayer expense, if the city will set aside some land for them, perhaps adjacent to the YSI sports complex south of town.
“What we’re trying to do is promote healthy lifestyles through bicycling,” Ross recently told the commission. “BMX is really catching back on. It was big in the ’70s and ’80s and then it went through a lull, but it caught back on fire again.”
The track would be for both youths and adults and could aid in the growing effort to encourage exercise and good health. The fact is, many youngsters spend too much time with their electronic playthings and do not get nearly enough exercise. A BMX track might not make a huge dent in this trend but even mild gains are a step in the right direction.
Many details would have to be worked out, including the supervision of a BMX facility, but the early view is that the track would have a number of merits, not the least of which that the proponents are not begging for public funds but are willing to raise the money themselves.
Whether there will be protest groups for such an activity remains to be seen, but unless there are some major reasons why Lawrence should not have a BMX track, paid for by the people who create it, it would seem the city should help out those willing to raise the money and do the work.
Comments
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kansasmutt (anonymous) says…
I don’t live in Lawrence or go to Lawrence and I would donate to them. Great idea. If the city won’t help, try renting land from The Corps of Engineers near Clinton Lake. Groups can rent land for $1.00 from them.
punkrockmom (Nikki May) says…
I'd donate. I know of a ball park that individuals offered to fix back up to use, and that wasn't allowed either. Why? I don't know. We need to get these kids outside, let's help.
grammaddy (anonymous) says…
How about promoting healthy lifestyles through education? Save our schools.How about the City helping out with that?!
imastinker (anonymous) says…
It's a neat idea, but what about liability? Insurance for this could be considerable!
5thgeneration (anonymous) says…
Insurance would be no more than for the skate park, which gets lots of use. On A.B.A. race days, the park would then be rented from the city, and A.B.A. insurance would cover it.
Meatwad (anonymous) says…
I think this would be a great idea! Kids need something to do and they need exercise. I grew up riding my bike on trails. Other BMX and skate parks make people sign a waiver in order to use them. That would help. I don't have much money but I would donate some to this cause.
rooster (anonymous) says…
I agree it's a good idea. Keep kids off the Video Game Crack.
pizzapete (anonymous) says…
Sounds cool that these people want to bring something positive like this to the community. I could imagine this being another popular outdoor activity for kids in Lawrence and the surrounding area. I'd like to see it happen.
Dirtman24 (anonymous) says…
Ok folks, to show people how serious we are in trying to get an ABA Sanctioned BMX Tack in Lawrence, we like the public to come view our website. There are pictures and also NEW pictures of our scaled model in progress of a bmx track. Also on the front page there is a video called "Getting Into BMX Racing".. This video is exactly what we are facing and doing everything in our powers to make it happen with all your supports. Thanks for your time in reading and support....
Please visit: http://larri-bmx.com/
Dirtman24 (anonymous) says…
As an ex member of this group and how I was mistreated of my medical conditions, which they claim they are out to help folks and with proof of emails, pm's and screen shots of the attacks on me they are not, seriously not nice to discriminate and harass someone over ones medical condition one has NO control over.
They are not representing themselves of claiming to help folks and just because of who I am and discriminating me and harassing me of 3 members which proof will be presented to show folks this group is not the right choice for this track. I think its fair to show the public my proof this group is not allowed to build a track in this city. On St. Paddy's day parade they allowed kids not to wear helmets as I was truck driver and people yelling where are the helmets, also to take kids into a bar while adults drink and some kids not even theirs which is a big NO NO.... Be careful as I learned first hand its all about larri and what they want and no one else like they was asked to have kids wear helmets and didn't and 1 kid wrecked on the bridge from getting his tire caught in the drain vent with NO helmet on.
Not a good group to run a track because I seen this first hand and glad I am not part of this group which allows kids today on bike rides with no helmets... Not a good way to represent the community for a track when kids safety is at risk.......
Since asking for public support I think its right that the public really knows the truth what this group is up to to be FAIR to the public and to do it the right way. Its only right that I provide to the public the truth before the public allows this unsafe group to build a track here which will be full of folks who drink and abuse drugs which is not a great combination for representing our community.
Vote NO against this group NOT to build a track in our community which they also have NO bmx racing experience nor how to run a track. This is a very unhealthy group... My proof will be presented to the City to show why this group is not worthy of what they are asking and I will do it legally by the laws!!!!!!!!! vote no on this group