PORT ANGELES – The Port Angeles City Council took another step forward in making Erickson Playfield an even more attractive destination for families by awarding the contract to build the planned pump track to the American Ramp Company, one of the premier skate park builders in the world.
Parks Director Corey Delikat is justifiably stoked to get on the company’s schedule for this September, with the goal of opening the facility in October.
“It’s just going to be an amazing feature to the park, especially right after we finish the Dream Playground this year. Erickson Playfield is just going to be one of those awesome spots, and I just think about the improvements we’ve done the Civic field, and the Race Street improvements that are coming. It’s just going to be an amazing place.”
With a price tag of over $650,000, funding for the project will be a combination of state and local grants as well as donations from the community.
The City Council and Clallam County Commissioners authorized $100,000 each of Lodging Tax Funds, but the last piece of the budgeting puzzle will come from the state Recreation Conservation Office, to the tune of $350,000.
Delikat is confident they’ll come through.
“Out of 30-plus applications we rank ninth. And there was $11 million set aside for RCO Grants, and really that almost funds every project that was in there. Now, I’m not saying that every project’s going to get funded but we’re looking good as far as receiving that money.”
Pump tracks are designed to accommodate almost anything on wheels, as long as it’s people-powered, and features a large circuit of rollers, bank turns, and bowls designed to be ridden without pedalling: riders generate momentum by up-and-down body movements, or pumping, much as you would to get a swing going.
Organizers have set up a Facebook page called Port Angeles Pump track where you can learn more about the fundraising effort, see a rendering of the planned design, and there’s a link to watch a video shot at the Leavenworth track to get a better idea of what’s coming.
(Banner graphic: Proposed design of Port Angeles’ pump track)