Gene`s BMX News

*** Moses Lake BMXers Dreaming Of Place To Ride ***

Moses Lake, Washington ( CBH ) -- 07/09/2007


While sitting in juvenile detention for a weekend, four youth
conjured an idea to keep them and others out of trouble while
providing a positive activity several others are interested in.

"We want to make a bike park," Mike Comerford, 14, said.

Comerford and friends Cameron Comley, 14, Corey
Meier, 14 and Brett Meier, 13, often find themselves
in trouble because they are riding their BMX-style bikes
where they shouldn't be riding.

They have each received tickets, had their bikes impounded
and spent time in juvenile detention for doing something they
love to do.

There are not a lot of places to go.

They are limited to one public area to practice their sport,
the dirt track at the Larson Field, they claim. They face a
few problems with the dirt track, it is better designed for
dirt bikes, Brett Meier said. Their bikes don't do very well
in the dirt, they often find themselves stuck.

The Moses Lake Skate Park, a favorite place
for the group, does not allow bikes at the park.

They are looking for a park similar to the skate park.

After getting in trouble a few times, a police officer advised
them to seek a street-style BMX park by asking the city.

"But then a day later we went to 'juvy,'"
Brett Meier said.

The four youth drew some preliminary drawings of
their dream park while in juvenile detention, Comley said.

They are hoping for something about the same size as the
skate park with similar equipment including pyramid shaped
jumps and a bowl. A bowl looks similar to an in-ground pool.
They are hoping it could be fenced in or built indoors.

Although bikes are not allowed at the skate park,
sometimes they are used despite the rules.

Usually it does not go over well with the other
patrons who are skating. It leads to fighting.

Eventually they want somewhere to go to
keep them out of trouble, Brett Meier said.

Their ultimate goal is sponsorship.
They each want to ride BMX professionally.

They have been offered sponsorships in the past.

For one, his passion started as soon as he got his training
wheels off. Corey Meier began doing stunts at an early age,
he said.

Comley said he's been riding a bike since he can remember.

"None of our bikes are stock, they're all upgraded,"
Corey Meier said. "Our bikes are made for hardcore stuff."

"We can't get better at it because there's nowhere to ride,"
Brett Meier said. "We can't become professional because
it's little stuff."

The four are scheduled to meet with the Parks and Recreation
Commission Wednesday July 11th at 7 p.m. to discuss the proposal.

July 11, 2007 - 7:00 p.m. Park & Recreation Commission Agenda
1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Introduction of Guests/Visitors
3. Approval of minutes of prior meeting
4. Plat Reviews/Dedication, or Fee in Lieu, of Land – Monthly Update
5. Street BMX Park Request – Corey & Brett Meier – Pedal Juncies
6. Director’s Report
7. Commission Questions & Comments
8. Adjourn
CC -
http://www.ci.moses-lake.wa.us/files/ag ... July07.pdf

ACC - http://www.genesbmx.com/moseslake-bmx.html

*** Comments ***
CC - Columbia Basin Herald, archived for reference purpose.
_________________________________________________

Be Positive wrote on Jul 13, 2007 11:06 AM:
" Money wasn't an issue when the city decided to spend it on downtown.
Money shouldn't be an issue now. If we do a park let's do something big
for BMX, roller blade, & skate boarders can be in one place. Now that
would be one nice park. It would be great to see competitions here in
Moses Lake which would also help the community by generating more
income. Of course I am thinking on a large scale.

I'm not some kid but a 30 something person who has watched these
comps for years in other states. So back on point the community involved
not just this artical but get signature to say we as a community want this.

Next talk to the businesses including real estate offices, construction
companies, & local store owners. Let them know what this park could
do for the other young adults in the area. You never know if someone
is willing to help even when it comes to some land that someone is not
using. From there you have to raise money to help with the costs.

Do whatever it takes if you are serious about it.
Don't give up!!!! Never give up!!!! "

Ralph T. Gonzalez wrote on Jul 13, 2007 8:22 AM:
" Our city has done a great job adding activities and events to help keep
kids busy throughout the year. The BMX park that these kids and others
who have approached the Parks and Recreation Commissioners with is
very expensive to build. This is probably the biggest reason that it has'nt
taken place in the past.

There was an area east of the BMX dirt track that was allocated for this
type of track when that dirt track design was put together. I wanted to
be at the Parks and Recreation Commissioners meeting to support these
kids. I suggest that you keep approaching the city with ideas on building
the track.

The ideas should be specific to design, cost and financial support from
local organizations and clubs. When I was on the Parks and Recreation
board we analyzed the cost of building a track and it was between
$100,000-$150,000. Suggest to the city that we build it in stages.

The big selling point for the BMX track is that races put on their would
bring in revenue from visiting riders. The BMX dirt track took over 10
years of kids approaching the city to build I hope the kids don't have to
wait that long. Please call if you want help or suggestions. GOOD LUCK! "

Lani Nickell wrote on Jul 13, 2007 8:17 AM:
" I think this is a wonderful idea. Not only should these kids have a
proper place to practice their sport, but the fact that they are being
encouraged to participate in the process to bring it to fruition is invaluable.

Kudos to the policer officer who suggested it. I hope the other
officials involved assist them in making their dream a reality.

Where do I contribute to the cause? "

Teri Allen (Isaacson) wrote on Jul 13, 2007 5:50 AM:
" I wish you boys all the luck in making your BMX track come to life.
Five years ago, my son Cody went through exactly what you have been
through, with the exception of doing time in juvi for riding in the skate
park. He took his ticket to court with pictures of the signs posted at the
skate park. They did not state that bikes were not allowed. He won his
case. He also thought up a plan for a skate park with ramps and jumps.

A safer alternitive to jumping curbs, loading docks, stairs and rails in
downtown Moses Lake late at nite. Biking was his main priority and
kept him and his friends out of trouble. He built a track on our back
acre on Bob White Dr. Every day we had at least 12 bikers out there
"jumping". (with signed permission /insurance forms) "

tristin osborne wrote on Jul 11, 2007 9:46 PM:
" yea i think that would be a good idea thats y i quit biking because
i always got taled to by cops so i was like screw this and now im
ballin it up "

jesse james wrote on Jul 11, 2007 5:42 PM:
" hell ya we should make a bmx park so we can ride "

Good clean fun wrote on Jul 11, 2007 9:18 AM:
" I feel so sorry for the kids today. As us baby boomers are getting
older, and sometimes more cranky, alot of us have forgotten what its'
like to be a kid, or even a young adult. Being a real kid involves loud
laughter, physical activity, and overall good clean CRAZYNESS! Try to
remember! With the young spirit dead in many older people, they find
these activities annoying and obnoxious where the kids think of it as
normal and fun. So what is normal and in whose eyes?

Since the children of today will be our leaders tomorrow anyway, we
need to forget ourselves for the sake of themselves and allow them to
live like teens and twenty somethings not like 60 somethings.

Put earplugs on or something if they're too loud for your old intolerant
attitude or look the other way. Try to look through the eyes of our youth.
Leave these poor kids alone and pick on real thugs, or is that too
dangerous? "

sasha wrote on Jul 10, 2007 5:22 PM:
" Putting them in juvi for riding their bikes was ignorant, not giving
them a place to legally and safely ride their bikes is even worse.

The city should be thankful these kids aren't out spraying walls with
graffiti, doing drugs, stealing and other things that would be worthy
of some time in juvi. Then again, that's exactly what kids do when
they get bored because there aren't programs and activities to keep
them occupied, particularly during the summer when school is out.

When I was a kid we rode our bikes all over town (we lived in
another city obviously) and never got in trouble. That's what kids are
supposed to be doing, playing and being kids. Why on earth would you
punish them for it? "

kathy morris wrote on Jul 10, 2007 10:04 AM:
" I am the aunt of corey and brett meier and i know these boys
love biking. It would be great to have a place for our youth to do
this kind of thing. when the city has things like this for kids to do
it keeps them out of trouble. Corey and Brett have been in a lot
of trouble due to riding bikes where they are not be riding, so this
would help keep them and others out of trouble. They are good kids
just wanting to have fun and enjoy what they like to do. "

LOCAL wrote on Jul 10, 2007 9:20 AM:
" I think a BMX style park for these kids is a great idea.
The city has to understand that there are many extreme
sports out there. If something is not done for these kids
they are going to get into more trouble..instead of hurting
our youth, lets help them. "

awesome idea wrote on Jul 10, 2007 7:04 AM:
" my son is one of there friends and he loves to ride his bike so
i think that a bike park would be an awesome idea and will keep
the boys out of trouble cause they are doing what they love so much "

michelle Durfee wrote on Jul 9, 2007 7:16 PM:
" i think they should build a park for the bikers only because the
skate boraders have some where to hang out at and the bikers dont "

Amelie wrote on Jul 9, 2007 6:59 PM:
" omgi think that is soo awesome 4 guys i know that are
really into biking are doing osmthing about sucky things! "

BriAnne wrote on Jul 9, 2007 5:24 PM:
" I think this is a great idea. This will keep them out of trouble
and knowing each of them personally, that's exactly what they
need in their life. "

** Gene`s BMX Quotes Moses Lake BMX Freestyle Park **

Some of you are looking at this as a big money thing
to pull it off to give the youth a freestyle bmx park.
I look at it as something that could work for everyone.

There are 1 or 2 ways to do it to make everyone happy
that don`t cost much money at all But it just takes some
work to do so from a few of you people in Moses Lake.

--
1 - The skate park is already there, SHARE IT, Save lots of money.
http://www.genesbmx.com/BMXandSkateparks.html
BMX and Skateparks - How the two can-and should-mix
Fair Play - BMX riders shouldn't be excluded.

The Skateboarders and the BMXers would have to learn how
to get along with each other. In away this would be a good thing
as people should learn to work with each other and work out problems.
As it is now the two groups don`t see eye to eye- so this, It is a good
way to try and get people to get along with each other.

If the 2 groups, BMXers and Skateboarders shared the skate park,
the 2 could use there heads to find ways to raise money to make
the skate park better. new ramps rails and or what nots for it.

`2 groups in one makes for more people and more ideas to raise money'.

If you was to ask me, looking at the Moses Lake Skate Park
http://www.genesbmx.com/moseslake-skate-park.html
It is well built and could take the abuse of both groups using it.

If the city of Moses Lake would change a rule that says no bikes
on a few papers and a sign at the skate park that would let the
BMX bikes ride there bicycles at the skate park, Just think how
much money that alone would save the city in having to build
something new just for BMX. I say share what you got already.

--
2 - The lot east of the bmx dirt track ( looking at this the cheap way )
http://genesbmx.bmxair.com/10-28-2006/0054.jpg - photo
guessing its the lot off behind the flying bike in photo?.
IDEA:::::
Cut the weeds down and out smooth down the dirt maybe
some gravel to make it smooth and then asphalt it then add
a hand full of ramps on to it. somewhat like a small parking
lot but not as much input as a parking lot, in all a flat asphalt
lot to add ramps on so the bmx bikes can jump on and off of
them.

Idea with this is to find or build cheap ramps somewhat like
what you see at the skate park now. and just put them on a
slab of asphalt. A HINT - the city of Cashmere Wa had a skate
park built like the a few years back but its closed
http://www.genesbmx.com/CashmereSkatePark.html
( Scroll down on url page and look at photos of park )

Since the Cashmere Skate Park closed down it makes
you wonder if them nice ramps are still around. Maybe
the city of Cashmere has them in a shed or something?
Wonder if they would give them to the city of Moses Lake?
Them ramps would work well for a freestyle bmx park
in Moses Lake I would think. But what are the chances of
2 Washington state towns talking with each other. Hmmm.

Yes, it would be nice to see Moses Lake get big ramps like
what you see in the AST Dew Action Sports Tour and other
big time BMX Freestyle events Them ramps in the most of
them events are set up for Pro Riders, not the everyday
bmx freestyler out there. Not to say the high cost would
make your head spin and the city world go chapter 11.

Ask your self this
How many Pro BMX Freestylers are in Moses Lake or area
that would make it worth for the city of Moses Lake to spend
more money than they got? As a big time BMX nut in eastern
Washington Iv not seen that many Pro BMX Freestylers in the
area. yes, over the years a few of them show up for demo
bmx events and they move on to the next event the next day
........ So I would say think hard and long on that
one unless the citys has the money like Bill Gates does to burn.

There are lots and lots of more ways to look at this,
Them are just a few ideas to start off with...... hmmmm.

Talk to you all soon,