Bike Park on Private Land?

[steven_er]

The idea of a new bike park sounds like an exciting possibility! I was just curious if logistically it could be done on private land? With interest rates so low and so many properties in foreclosure would it be in the best interest of the MTB community to try and purchase private land? A few years back a few friends and I mulled it around and found 3 acres in a rural setting could be hand for around 10,000. At least with private land we could do our own thing and not need approval from a land manager who wouldn't know much about MTB'ing. If 100 people could pony up 100 dollars we could almost purchase enough land. With Trek and Pacific Cycle so close they might be pursuaded into providing funds as well as Trek did with Rays MKE and Pacific did with  Middleton Bike Park near Madison. SRAM and some local shops might be willing to help as well. I suppose this could turn into a nightmare, I was just thinking about it and wondered what others might think.

[keithzim]

It would cost way to much + all the bills. We are looking at building a big park on 40+ acres. We have a good group of guys that are working on this and are not going to stop till we have something. It would be great on private land just cause we could go wild with no one saying NO. We also want this park to be free to ride if we buy the land we would have to charge to ride.

[fat-tyr]

Liability, the laws don't protect Private landowners here in Illinois. We looked at leasing some land and that put a stop to it.

[Seanbikes]

I wonder if a way to get around the liability risk of it being private land could be to purchase the land and then donate it to a park district or forrest preserve district conditional of the use being a bike park.   I'm no lawyer, just an idea I had.

[Zaskar24]

I wonder if a way to get around the liability risk of it being private land could be to purchase the land and then donate it to a park district or forrest preserve district conditional of the use being a bike park.   I'm no lawyer, just an idea I had.

I think that would lead back to the problem of not being able to build what we want.  Since it would under their insurance they could say no since it is not covered.  At least that is what I could see as an issue with that idea.

[black_box]

I'd say insurance and liability is the problem.  A local park district would probably be easier since they already have a precedent with skate/bike parks.  Perhaps badgering the legislature to change the law would be feasible and a step in our favor?