Received Friday. -jsq In the Fall of 2010 the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority cut a red ribbon at a ceremony dedicating Phase II of Freedom Park. The park’s new phase included a walking track, disc golf course, and a dog park. The addition of the small dog park to Freedom Park’s amenities was largely the result of a motivated group of citizens who urged the Authority to build the leash-free exercise and play space. 444 locals signed an online petition requesting that the VLPRA “create an off-leash dog park, accessible to all residents and visitors where pets can safely be taken for exercise and play.” As a result of this community involvement, park visitors now have a safe and shaded spot to enjoy a game of fetch with Fido.

The mission of the VLPRA is

“to provide quality Recreation and Parks, and to advance environmental conservation, which promotes the highest quality of life for the entire community.”

In the upcoming months, the VLPRA will begin revising its master plan. According to the Director of the Authority this will be a time to assess previous projects and plan for upcoming ones. These meetings will also offer an opportunity for citizen involvement in the planning process. These meetings will be held in January and February and the VLPRA will begin advertising them in the upcoming weeks. These meetings will give ordinary citizens the opportunity to discuss the kinds of projects we would like to see the Authority pursue.

At the November City Council Meeting Lee Jones, a local cyclist, walked up to the podium at City Hall and spoke on the need for a bike park in Valdosta. He explained that he doesn’t feel comfortable allowing his daughter to ride her bike on Valdosta’s streets and suggested that a bike park would be a safe alternative. To borrow the language of the dog park advocates, one could argue that Valdosta should “create a bike park, accessible to all residents and visitors where cyclists can safely ride for exercise and play.”

When I learned about these meetings I began asking around the local bike scene for suggestions. “A velodrome,” replied one avid rider. As he explained, the project could be expensive, but would draw in tourists since the nearest track is in Atlanta. Another rider suggested looking into Ray’s Mountain Bike Park which turns abandoned warehouses into bike parks. “Imagine,” he told me, “The Remerton Mill loaded with inclines, berms, and jumps for mountain bikers and bmxers.” A park like the ones featured at raysmtb.com would be a welcomed topographical alternative given the mostly flat surfaces around Valdosta. Others have suggested a cheaper option of setting up a cyclocross course at Freedom Park, which could be done easily and would also attract riders from around the Southeast.

It’s time for you to get involved. Are you interested in helping make Valdosta a more bike friendly city? Then begin considering what kind of projects you would like to see in the community and plan to attend the upcoming VLPRA meetings.

-Matt Portwood

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