Salt Lake County parks officials have decided to pass on a mountain bike skills park an advocacy group proposed for an undeveloped portion of Olympus Hills Park.
The Salt Lake Valley Trails Society developed the proposal for the park’s eastern side and pitched the idea to the county, as well as to the cities of Holladay and Millcreek.
Neighboring residents and birding enthusiasts objected during a public comment period last month, raising concerns biking would monopolize a part of the park enjoyed by nature lovers. Audubon Society members feared cycling features would displace numerous species of birds that inhabit the park.
In a joint statement released last week, the two cities and county said they concluded the bike amenities would not be in the public’s best interests.
“The 11-acre site has been utilized as a passive recreation destination with walking trails and benches and it will remain as it is currently designed,” the statement said. Officials did note the need to add cycling amenities to the county’s portfolio of recreational assets.
Bike parks are proliferating around the state, with destinations at the far north and south ends of Salt Lake County: the top of Salt Lake City’s I Street and Draper’s Corner Canyon. Mountain bike advocates had looked to fill a void in the midvalley region with the proposal for Olympus Hills Park, located at 4500 South near Interstate 215.
“Mountain biking and trail riding has grown in popularity and is a healthy activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime,” the June 14 statement said. “We support these efforts and want to work with bicycle advocates to identify areas in the valley to build more bike parks. We will continue to work strategically to find locations that are long-term solutions to meet the needs of biking in the Salt Lake Valley.”
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