Bike Skills Area at Upper Luther Burbank Park

I did all of this when I was a kid growing up on Mercer Island, except we had a lot more areas to do it.

-Before the Country Club was expanded, there was a huge dirt lot next to QFC where we made jumps and courses.
-The Lakes, before it was gentrified.
-Terriwood

There's not a lot of areas left so lets restore and preserve this for two-wheeled enjoyment.

I am a supporter for reopening "snake hill" and expanding the area to be used for further biking. Upper Luther Burbank is a beautiful park but completely underutilized and mostly inaccessible. There are a number of green spaces and walking trails on the island that are not conducive to bike riding. Why not support outdoor activity for youth similar to what many communities has done for skate boarding (where bike riding is not allowed either). What an opportunity for our youth to get OFF their phones, gather outside of the home, explore and learn new skills. Let's embrace our kids exuberance to build, sweat and get muddy instead of closing off spaces and forcing them back onto their tablets!

I saw what the bike area was like in 2006. Even then there was a problem of kids ripping out native vegetation to increase the size of the bike area. City Parks Dept. put in boundary markers but they were removed. Each year the bike area increased in size until it has reached its massive size today. Bikes have encroached onto pedestrian paths. Because of the parks loose, silly soil, Upper Luther Burbank Park is not a good location for a bike area. Mercer Island parks are not that large. It is not clear that a bike area suitable for Mercer Island. Duthie Hill has managed mountain bike trails for all level of difficulty plus lessons for kids new to mountain bike trail riding. Perhaps a bus could be provided for kids to get to that facility.

I understand the thrill of mountain bike riding. I had two boys who enjoyed the sport and still ride as adults. But they did not create new trails or did up vegetation to create jumps. Also, in California, mountain bikes were not allowed on trails in the winter, because the trails would have been destroyed by bikes when they were wet.

Removed by moderator.

I feel like there is a serious disconnect between the city and the citizens on this matter. First off, let's call it what everybody in the community calls it. Snake Hill! Nobody knows it as the Bike Skills Area. I've literally never heard anyone call it that. Second, why would you engage a consulting firm from Texas when we have the regional expert in trail design in Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance right next door? They know our soil, our native vegetation, our climate, and have designed city bike parks all over the region. The city should have engaged with the people who actually use this space before taking action, rather than asking for input AFTER it's closed and the consultant has been hired.

Thank you MI for temporarily closing this area to ascertain damage done and figure out the best way forward. I hope future plans include a way to prevent unauthorized digging in the area - both for the sake of the natural environment as well as the bikers' safety. We cannot have residents of any age digging up our public lands themselves. Despite pleas and signage from the city, the rules were disrespected so the time-out is appropriate and needed to prevent further damage. The walking trails have also been compromised in the area and need to be protected as well. The city is doing the right thing to have the area professionally and impartially reviewed. Thank you.

I am concerned that there is an allegation that the children have destroyed trees in this park. We have had the hottest and driest summer on record. Trees have died all over the island in record numbers. To contribute this to a bunch of children at play is shameful. I think the city needs to be in charge of bringing in a professional trail builder to re-vegetate, while correcting the trails, and let the children get involved.

To suggest that a 60ft x 3ft area is adequate for well over 50 current children is use, is to perhaps mistake them for chickens in a chicken run. I’m sure that we all agree that we should be doing everything we can to encourage children playing outside and giving them the adequate space is part of this.

If the space has been mismanaged, let’s get the right people to advice. I am concerned that the folks organizing the work parties here have already made it plain to the children that they do not want them to be using this space. Is it any wonder that they refrain from being involved? We really need the right approach here, and that should be to keep this park open and involve the kids with a professional trail builder.

I grew up behind those woods. As kids we had plywood ramps and made dirt jumps. While it was mostly kids in the surrounding neighborhood, we gathered there for outdoor space and fun. That was in the 70's & 80's. Friends on the south end were able to use the trails where the Lakes are now. In general, there was a LOT more space for kids to enjoy the woods and be creative. I love that my kids are doing the same thing I did as a kid. I just wish there was more woods on the island still. In the years since I grew up here, most things that kids could find to enjoy on their own have been developed. There were hobby shops, fast food restaurants where kids could get jobs, job programs for teens. My point is, most people move here to raise their kids and yet there is less and less non-structured spots for kids enjoyment especially for kids 12-16. Fields are taken up all year round by the various club sports. I am so glad they can safely meet up with others and just be kids on or off bikes. This is a gem for kids and should be preserved. They socialize and test themselves. I would also like to say my kids (as do the kids that enjoy the space) do MANY MANY conservation projects on the island and understand the importance of nature, space and native species. There does seem to be an opportunity for kid/ bike community "buy in" as long as they know they will be heard and welcome.

The bike skills area provides a necessary outlet for kids (and adults!) to engage in a fun, positive, and productive outdoor activity. Demand for mountain bikes has surged significantly since the pandemic began because it is an activity everyone can enjoy outdoors at a safe distance from others, and we should be working to increase these sorts of spaces, not restrict them. These environments give people a productive means of exercise, a way to relieve stress, and just have some fun - so let's not take that outlet away. Mountain bike parks have been successful in other local cities (Redmond and Issaquah, for example), and there is no reason that we can't do the same on Mercer Island. Let's take any opportunity to make our city better whenever we can, and keeping the bike skills area open is one of the ways we can do it.

I understand it must be frustrating for park workers and city staff when people break the rules and/or vandalize signs, but this may have been the act of a single person. Kids need safe and run activities near their house, and the bike skills park is one of the few activities like this located on Mercer Island. Please reopen it as soon as possible. I would advocate for a, "Closed until fixed" policy, so the community self polices and will ALSO self-correct. I'd also like to see the area expanded, and perhaps add more trails to the side of Gallagher hill. Thank you for the opportunity to give input.

The Luther Burbank Master Plan allows a dirt trail for bikes. When allowed in 2006, it was 60 feet long and 3 feet wide. It has grown over time but within the COVID-19 year and a half it has expanded exponentially with illegal digging, illegal trails and jumps and burrowing under mature trees which has destroyed all vegetation so that soil has eroded, and all the plants have died in an area now around half an acre, (20,000 square, feet) and stretching to 325 feet in length and varying in width from 10 feet to 70 feet wide. A dozen trees are endangered and several are to be removed now. There are at least 6 unauthorized trails that have been dug out that go up and down endangered steep and silty slopes. About 2 acres of forest area has been damaged.
I invited the bike youth to attend the Earth Corps forest restoration at Upper Luther Burbank Park last Saturday, October 16th - from 10AM-1PM none of them were there. There is another event on December 4th to try to help this lovely forest recover. Perhaps the best way for these young people who have damaged the park property to show they care - would be to participate in a positive project in our community. I welcome them and their parents to take part by contacting Earth Corps and signing up. The city was correct in calling for a time out...this open space park cannot take another winter of unsupervised destruction. Again, there is no Snake Hill park amenity on Mercer Island. I would ask youth to take down the Snake Hill MI YouTube video that is being shared with off island youth. I was recently told by a Renton mother that Snake Hill Mercer Island is a huge mountain bike hangout for kids. He was surprised to find out the park is called Upper Luther Burbank Park. What has been allowed is BMX - not mountain biking. The photos alongside this story don't begin to tell what has happened. I urge residents to visit the park. Thanks to city decision makers - a time out and serious review is totally appropriate.

I feel strongly that we should continue to provide access to this sort of activity to the communities youth. I know a good many of the kids that use this park and have witnessed first had the work and enthusiasm that could be leveraged for the upkeep with a little coordination and ongoing maintenance of this tiny postage stamp of a skills park. I disagree with an approach that focuses on setting rules and monitoring adherence to the rules set, it's crushing to the spirit of these kids. I also disagree with the unilateral decision to close it down and then dish out taxpayer money for a "specialized consultant" when all that is really needed is to organize around a shared set of goals and put a little more rigor into self-governance. You have people willing to put the work in, for free.

Your timing of the closure is inappropriate. With so many activities unavailable due to Covid, this park should be reopened immediately.
Study it while it’s open.

So similar to the train park. Close it, study it, order equipment, wait for equipment. All the while it could have been open during the pandemic.

Please reopen the bike park.

I completely agree that this bike park is a great resource for our kids and community, and worth putting in the work and the funds to address valid concerns in a timely fashion - 6 months is too long . As is the precedent for mountain bikers , I’m sure the users themselves would put in the work towards trail building and maintenance . Let’s support them in a positive way !

I'm so sad there wasn't more notification of this closure but I'm so excited to see community members rally around the preservation of this asset. The bike area has been a fun lunch break from working from home and really has brought joy back into my biking. I would love to see more integration of bike trails on Mercer Island and community events promoting safety and skills at the park rather than strict closure. This was not the way to approach this "issue".

The bike skills area is a huge asset to our family! It’s one of our favorite places on the island that connects us to the community. During these times of limited social opportunities, mountain biking has become one of our few safe outlets. I am the parent of 2 boys, one of which struggles with anxiety. The bike skills area has been a special place where he has gained confidence not only in his physical skills but also a sense of much needed independence. Both boys are so proud of the accomplishments they make at snake hill. I have seen nothing but respect for this area with riders being mindful of walkers and a well-kept course. It would be a shame to lose such a local treasure.

The bike skills area should remain open and is an important resource for kids and families. My two kids and I have been going there for several years and I’ve been able to teach them important lessons not only about biking and safety but about community and environment. I’m disappointed that the city closed the park with little notice and consideration of the generations of families that have come to love the skills area.

I’m incredibly disappointed at the City of Mercer Island at their decision to suddenly close the bike skills area at Upper Luther Burbank Park, in what seems a military style operation over night! My two boys 10 & 8 love the park, and I appreciate the mountain biking skills and friends they have gained from riding there.
The fact that the City decided to do this in a time still undecided with COVID where the park has become an essential part of outside activity, a place for kids to interact, get some real off screen time and a place for kids to be kids. Which by the way, involves getting dirty and occasionally scraping a knee or a elbow!!
What is even more frustrating, is that the closure seems to be a personal agenda from someone pushing issues that have been resolved. Instead of rewarding the kids with ride time at what is considered the peak of the season (perfect damp dirt) the kids have been locked out.
There has been no recognition for the following:
- The improved up keep of the park – I haven’t seen trash there in months
- The visible return of vegetation, and most importantly
- The parks static format – ie the jumps have remained constant.
Why is it in the photo section; there aren’t any pictures of the new vegetation? There are sections where the orange markers are barely visible any more. The middle high point where the tool box used to be, where once there was a trail cut out of bounds…but due to the kids respecting the new rules, is almost over grown!!
Way to go City of Mercer Island!

There is no Mercer Island Park amenity called Snake Hill. The 28th Avenue roadway east of Island Crest has that name. The youth are damaging Upper Luther Burbank Park with illegal digging, trails and jumps. Park staff tear down illegal jumps every month - only to have them rebuilt. Two elementary age youth got injured while a former and current council member were in the park recently. I congratulate the city for taking initiative to hire a professional. The area is technically BMX - not a mountain bike facility. I appreciate the writer below who says the boys love the forest - me too. I hope to see them all volunteering in forest restoration this coming Saturday, October 16th with Earth Corps. At the moment I'm submitting this there are 8 more volunteers needed.

My family was deeply disappointed to learn of the sudden closure of the Upper Luther Burbank Bike Skills Area.

With the covid pandemic unresolved, that park is a key outdoor recreational outlet for my two sons, especially my youngest son (11 years old) who recently joined the Mercer Island Mountain Bike Team. My son and many of his teammates regularly use that park for training. I feel that the City of Mercer Island should have consulted the Mercer Island Mountain Bike Team and the local biking community in general before implementing this closure.

My family truly hopes that this “temporary” closure does not become permanent. Overall, we believe that the Bike Skills Area is an important community asset, and we will be closely watching how this situation unfolds.