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Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

BMX park taking shape in Turlock

Young enthusiasts dig in to build track

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TURLOCK — A collection of BMX bikes sat nearby, waiting, while their owners pitched in to help build jumps and dips.

This weekend was the first volunteer work day for the city's BMX-style park, set off Christoffersen Parkway near Walnut Elementary Education Center.

Teenagers joined a city work crew, shoveling dirt and shaping the park.

As projects go, a BMX park is fairly straightforward — it consists of a series of dirt hills; riders jump off and over them.

Supporters raised $10,000 in donations for the project, which won City Council approval in February.

Dominick Rufo, who proposed the idea for the park when he was a middle school student, is now a 17-year-old preparing to enter the military.

But he was out at the track Saturday morning, spraying down piles of dirt that will be jumps.

The water, he explained, helps compact the dirt to strengthen the hill. "If it's too soft, you slide in," he said.

City maintenance employee D.J. Fransen, who runs TurlockCityNews.com, helped Rufo spread the word about the park and raise money.

He also was at work Saturday, though he isn't a BMX rider. "I might do the kiddie track," he said. "On a beach cruiser."

Workers hope to have the park complete before the winter rains set in.

As for Dominick, he said he'll probably take a couple of turns around the track before heading off for the Marines.

"But at least other kids will get to use it."

Bee staff writer Patty Guerra can be reached at pguerra@modbee.com or 578-2343.