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2015

Poulsbo Pump TrackNE Bernt Rd

Little Valley Rd NE

COVER LETTER

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

REFERENCE LIST

BUSINESS PLAN AND MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

28 January 2015

Dear Ms. McCluskey,Please find enclosed a proposal for the Poulsbo pump track to be located on the Little Valley park parcel. We appreciate this opportunity and would love to see the proposal become the asset to the community we know it can be. It will provide free, in-town, outdoor recreation for both youth and adults. The park will also be part of a larger mountain biking system developing in Kitsap County, which will draw tourism to the Poulsbo area and boost the local economy.

A pump track is a series of rollers (smooth bumps) and berms that can be ridden without pedaling and is suitable for riders of all ages. Our pump track design will have multiple lines to allow for different skill levels, which will draw families to the site and keep all riders coming back for more. A large pump track can be built in a relatively short time period at very little cost while maximizing community benefit.

We commend the City of Poulsbo for its progressive thinking in park usage. The city has shown leadership in its development of Fish Park, Lion’s Park, and Raab Park, as well as developing a network of local trails linking neighborhoods. We hope we can partner with you to provide another gem in this system.

Sincerely,

Brian Kilpatrick,President, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance West Sound Chapter360-626-3107briank@evergreenmtb.org

Mary McCluskey City of Poulsbo, Parks and Recreation200 Moe StreetPoulsbo WA 98370

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

EVERGREEN MOUNTAIN BIKE ALLIANCEThe West Sound chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is proposing the construction of a pump track on the City of Poulsbo property located on Little Valley Road. A pump track is a relatively small series of bicycle courses made of dirt berms and rollers designed for skill-building and fun.

There is a clear need for an outdoor recreational area like this in our community. Cycling is on the rise all over this region, especially family-friendly, off-road cycling. A pump track helps meet this need.

Evergreen West Sound puts people first and has a track record of positive community interactions. We are financially solvent and founded on strong volunteerism. Therefore, this project will move quickly and safely. Combined with statewide Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance resources we have the proven expertise to get the project completed successfully.

The benefits of a local pump track are outstanding. The site will be a draw for cyclists of all ages and abilities, both locals and out-of-towners. Poulsbo can expect to benefit economically and socially because the track will make our area a better place to live and visit.

Poulsbo Pump Track

A series of rollers and berms that can be ridden without pedalling but rather pumping your bike up and down the rollers with your arms. Physically challenging, safe and fun for all ages and skill levels.

“

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUNDEVERGREEN MOUNTAIN BIKE ALLIANCEEvergreen Mountain Bike Alliance has been promoting mountain biking since the early 1990s. Through a balanced program of education, advocacy, trail-building, and social events, Evergreen maintains hundreds of miles of trail throughout Washington state. Part of Evergreen’s growth has been its chapter program and that’s where our local organization--Evergreen West Sound--enters. Evergreen West Sound began as Ride Kitsap in early 2012. It started with a group of like-minded mountain bikers who wanted to see natural-surface trails protected and to share their passion for riding with others. After only a few months, Ride Kitsap was able to secure a grant to educate the community how to build sustainable trails and raised over 5,000 dollars for North Kitsap Trails Association. Ride Kitsap became the West Sound chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance in October 2013, and has quickly grown to be Evergreen’s largest.

With almost 300 dues-paying members, volunteerism is the most notable thing about Evergreen West Sound. Our membership has not only made us financially strong but physically strong too, with thousands of volunteer hours spent on local trail maintenance and building. One way we promote our organization is through events. In the past year we’ve premiered a movie, hosted over 60 group rides and frequent work parties, had a beer brewed for us, and coordinated our 2nd annual Biketoberfest. This year, we saw this Port Gamble-based Biketoberfest event grow to over 400 attendees. Events included a race, a poker run, and many family activities throughout the day. We make it a habit to partner with local businesses and throughout the year gave away more than $15,000 dollars worth of prizes as fundraising incentives for our Evergreen chapter. None of this would have been possible without committed volunteers.

In 2014 we applied for a land acquisition grant with Kitsap County to build a ride park in Port Gamble. Our grant presentation in Olympia was ranked near the top of grant applications by the review committee, which dramatically increases our likelihood of funding. This grant process involved some of our younger members. Together with nearly a dozen teens we made multiple trips to Olympia in support of our ride park grant.

We also partner with other civic organizations. As part of the Kitsap Forest and Bay Coalition we’ve teamed up with organizations like Greater Peninsula Land Conservancy and Kitsap Audubon to plant trees and raise money for new park lands. We’ve contributed to local parks throughout the peninsula and Bainbridge Island, most recently designing the new map for North Kitsap Heritage Park.

Although we’re committed to local land conservation, outdoor recreation opportunities, and cycling, our first priority is people. We want our community to grow through healthy outdoor activities and to see our cities benefit economically from the popularity of those activities. We see this as a win/win situation by keeping our land open and our local businesses thriving.

REFERENCE LIST

ROBERT GELDER - KITSAP COUNTY COMMISSIONER

OLYMPIC PROPERTY GROUP

NORTH KITSAP BAPTIST CHURCH

CENTRAL MARKET

POULSBO RUNNING

POULSBO ATHLETIC CLUB

NORTH KITSAP TRAILS ASSOCIATION

NORTH KITSAP HERITAGE PARK STEWARDS

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND BICYCLE

CLASSIC CYCLE

OLYMPIC OUTDOOR CENTER

Nearly as many people ride bmx and mountain bikes as play soccer but there are no outdoor bike facilities in Kitsap. We have the oppourtunity to change that! “

BUSINESS PLAN & MANAGEMENTSCHEDULINGThe pump track park will be open during daylight hours only; therefore park hours will fluctuate with the seasons. Park hours will also be coordinated with immediate neighbors as not to disturb them during the time of the year when the days are longer. Solar lights and infrared cameras will be installed to deter vandalism and unauthorized or after-hours use of the property. The current site parking will be maintained and overflow parking for events will be coordinated with neighboring North Kitsap Baptist Church.

MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENTPark maintenance such as trash pickup, pump track grading, and landscaping will be a function of the volunteer park stewards. The park will have a portable toilet provided by Randy Kan Restrooms. The park stewardship committee will be comprised of five local Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance members as well as a member of the Poulsbo’s Parks and Recreation department. The stewardship committee will have regular meetings and make decisions about the park with guidance from Evergreen West Sound’s council.

The development of the property will be undertaken by experienced, qualified volunteers. Before writing this proposal, we enlisted the help of our parent organization to evaluate the site’s suitability. Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance has a proven track-record of construction and maintenance at other sites around the state: Tiger Mountain, Duthie Hill in Issaquah, Swan Creek in Tacoma, and Colonnade in urban Seattle. Our local chapter also has its own trail-building experts who will take the lead in this project.

The site itself is ideal for this project. Because we will use non-toxic biodegradable erosion-control polymers for hardening the pump track surface, grading maintenance becomes almost non-existent. In addition, the soils at the proposed property are very suitable for storm run-off. Our soil tests revealed two feet of sand in the outfield and four to six inches of clay/sand mix in the infield. We would not be changing the overall grade so storm run-off will remain excellent.

Signage throughout the park will comply with the Washington’s Recreational Use Immunity Statute and safety will be our top priority. Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance currently does and will continue to maintain high liabilities insurance.

In brief, all costs of regular management and maintenance will be provided by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance West Sound Chapter.

PHASE I: Design, fundraising and community involvment 1 Month

Upon approval of the proposal, our fundraising and stewardship committee selection begins. Design review would be finalized with the city and any permits obtained and regulations met.

Estimated completion date: April 1st, 2015

PHASE II: Building, signage and stewarship comittee 1 Month

Month 2: Building commences on the small beginner loop, signage produced and the stewardship committee selection finalized. At the end of the second month, the small beginner pump track loop is finished and open.

Estimated completion date: May 1st, 2015

PHASE III: Building outer loop 1.5 Months

Month 3: Construction of the large outer loop. Estimated completion date: mid-June, 2015

PHASE IV: Building mulitple smaller loops 1.5 Months

Month 4: Smaller loops will be added in this phase. All the berms and rollers--including those in the beginner’s loop and the outer loop--are checked and adjusted if necessary. The pump track surface is hardened with non-toxic biodegradable polymers.

Once the project is completed we would have grand opening celebration inviting the entire community.

Estimated completion date: August 1st, 2015

DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE Part of the beauty of pump tracks are their relatively quick and safe construction. The Poulsbo pump track project will roll out in four distinct phases. By the end of Phase II--just two months from project approval--we will open the smallest self-contained loop, and see kids and beginners enjoying the ride.

FINANCIAL With a combined revenue of over $580,000 per year, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is the largest mountain bike organization in Washington, and in a healthy financial position. As a chapter of that alliance, Evergreen West Sound has a proven record of successful fundraising efforts and has the largest membership of all Evergreen chapters.

This proposed pump track will require approximately $13,100 to construct (see attached estimate). Evergreen West Sound currently has reserves of over $27,000 with no financial obligations. This puts the cost to construct the track within our reach before any pump track fundraising occurs.

Contruction Costs

230 Yards of Dirt & Delivery $6000.00

Machinery Rental & Gas $4000.00

Solar Lights $1500.00

Miscellaneous Supplies $500.00

Signage $300.00

Soiltac erosion control non-toxic bio-degradeable polymer $500.00

Cameras $300.00

Volunteer Labor $0.00

(Does not include potential permitting fees) $13,100.00

Yearly Operational Costs

Portable Toilet $966.00

Supplies $120.00

Garbage $360.00

$1446.00

Item Cost Estimate

MARKETING Evergreen West Sound diligently publicizes its message through relational and promotional marketing. Our genuine focus is ‘people first,’ which inspires enthusiasm for biking. When we announce something new through our many channels of social media and direct marketing we get a great response. In addition we often utilize promotions to raise money and awareness of our projects. In just the last year, we have given away roughly 15,000 dollars worth of merchandise donated from local and Washington-based businesses, like REI, Outdoor Research, Transition Bicycle, Santa Cruz Bicycle and Platypus hydration. We have the support of all the local bike shops from Bainbridge Island to Gig Harbor. Promotion is all put together by our marketing and communications expert who capably produces all our design, photography, and video. It is safe to predict that the public response to this pump track will be very positive.

COMMUNITY BENEFITThe Poulsbo pump track is built with one purpose in mind: to give people of all ages a safe place to ride their bikes and develop their bike-handling skills. It will encourage healthy outdoor recreation and motivate kids to enjoy the outdoors instead of lapsing into sedentary activities. The pump track is adjacent to many neighborhoods, and will compliment Poulsbo’s plan to interconnect the community with trails and parks.

Economically, the pump track will benefit Poulsbo, encouraging local shopping and dining. Cyclists will be more inclined to lodge in Poulsbo while on biking holidays or at nearby race events. A pump track is an amenity that will help North Kitsap become a destination spot for people who spend their free time biking, bringing further positive attention and press to our community.

As pump tracks pop up all around the nation, communities are discovering the latent need for such facilities. Men, women and children equally enjoy the satisfaction of riding the rolling terrain and once they’re built people don’t stop riding.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.- Winston Churchill“