BSA Operations Update: Things to Know Heading into Thanksgiving Weekend

The new Bike Skills Area (BSA) opened on November 15. Thank you to all the community members who joined the City Council, the Parks & Recreation Commission, and City staff to celebrate the new facility with a ribbon cutting event.

With clear weather sticking around through the holiday weekend, City staff anticipate the BSA will be busy! Here are a few updates and reminders about facility operations.

Using the East and West Trails to Enter the BSA

Two new access trails are open to enter the BSA:

• East entrance from Island Crest Way
• West entrance next to the Island Crest Park tennis courts

Walking in the BSA

Speaking of trails, the East and West access trails are open for walking, but pedestrians, dogs, motorized vehicles, and other non-bikes are not allowed on trails or features inside the BSA. Keeping the course to peddle bikes-only helps maintain the dirt/gravel berms, jumps, and other features that were built for the course and support the manufactured features.

Need to dismount and walk your bike back to the start hub? No problem! Just make sure you pull off the bike trail and stay out of the way of other riders on the course. Looking for a new trail to train for your next 5k? Please use one of the City’s trail systems that are open to walkers and runners.

The one exception for pedestrians at the BSA is inside the Bicycle Playground area, where walkers are allowed when assisting less-experienced riders.

Upcoming Maintenance on the Green Line

Now that the BSA is open, the City’s Parks Operations team manages the facility, overseeing maintenance and repairs to ensure the course is safe to ride. The team has observed that the ground anchors securing the wood berm turns on the Green Line are a bit loose. Out of an abundance of caution and to prevent further damage, the City is temporarily closing the Green Line while staff work with the contractor to fix this issue. Staff will notify the community as soon as possible once the Green Line is ready to ride again.

Additional closures and site tweaks may take place over the next several months as the Parks Operations team gets to know the site. When closures need to happen, signage will be posted on-site. If a closure will last more than a few days, staff will also post information on the new BSA webpage on the City’s website:

www.mercerisland.gov/bikeskillsarea

Reporting Course Damage and Other Maintenance Needs

See an issue on the course? Report needs to the City online or through the MI-Connect app (Apple | Android).

Thank you to the community members of all ages who have enjoyed the BSA so far! Questions about this information? Contact Sarah Bluvas at sarah.bluvas@mercerisland.gov.