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VIRGINIA BEACH — Hampton Roads’ bicycle motocross riders, who for years practiced on a secret, illegal track, may soon have an official park to call home.
“It’s pretty surreal that it’s happening,” said Connor Clifton, 34, a Virginia Beach BMX rider, who is one of the principals of a new organization VB BMX, LLC. “Years of hard work and dedication are paying off.”
Plans are underway for VB BMX to design, build and maintain a track in Dunwoody Park off General Booth Boulevard. The park is about 7 miles from “Mount Thrashmore,” the hidden track on a privately-owned wooded lot where BMX riders practiced without permission for 20 years.
The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation is in the process of drafting an agreement with the group on how the track will look, what materials will be used and how it will be operated, said Chris Ray, Virginia Beach city planner. The city will supply the land, while the organization will cover all construction-related costs.
“It’s falling into place,” said George Alcaraz, a local action sports enthusiast who is also the chair of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission. Last year, Alcaraz helped the local riders organize and begin the process of working with the city to build a sanctioned track.
The partnership will take cues from Marshview Park near the Oceanfront, where a regional bike group recently created a trail system.
The Mount Thrashmore track operated in secret for years until it came to public light in 2021 at a planning commission meeting when the land owners were preparing to sell the lot, and the riders had to abandon it.
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Soon after, Clifton, fellow rider T.J. Butler and others met with city leaders about finding a new place to build a sanctioned track. The city is also contemplating plans in the future to build a national BMX event venue and training facility.
The initial practice track built at Dunwoody Park will be temporary, and construction can begin after the plans are approved by the city.
“I don’t foresee it being a really long process,” Ray said.
Further development of Dunwoody Park is planned in the future.
A BMX track is usually comprised of mounds of clay and winding paths for riders to perform stunts. At Dunwoody Park, the track will be located within about 15 acres of the park’s southwest portion, he said.
Residents who live adjacent to the park will receive a letter this week with more information. A community meeting will be held soon.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com