What happened next after Visalia’s BMX park was flattened by the city?

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – After a BMX park in Visalia that had been hosting two-wheel tricks for over 10 years was flattened by the City of Visalia, something bigger is now taking its place.

President of The Academy BMX James Karr, who started the non-profit following the previous park’s demolition, says he still feels sad about what the City of Visalia’s code enforcement did four months ago , but says it was the catalyst for great change.

“I’m feeling very optimistic, I’m really happy with the ways things have turned out,” Karr said. “It was the closing of an era, but the, the opening of a new one.”

The new era is the opening of a new permanent and city-approved BMX park for Karr and his fellow Visalia BMX riders to use. Karr says the new park will not be finished for another two years, but that doesn’t mean riders will have to wait until then to ride in Visalia.

“It’s about two years out for the city project, and they’re going to have to put that out for open bids so companies are going to have to bid on it,” Karr said. “They’re going to add it to an existing park project, but the city is right now looking for a temporary spot for us.”

Karr says the city plans to have a temporary location picked out for BMX riding in a few months, but Karr and the rest of the BMX community are ready to ride now. This weekend, they are hosting a free event to kickstart the plan and get everyone excited about what’s to come.

On Saturday, July 20, riders will get a chance to show off their best stunts in front of a crowd at the Tulare Skate Park. The park is at 85 W. Tulare Avenue in Tulare.

“We’re going to have a BMX competition, then we’re also going to have jam sessions,” said Karr.

These jam sessions won’t feature any instruments, or jelly, but instead will be an opportunity for every BMX rider there to show off what they can do.

“We’re gonna say ‘all right, everybody, over here on this obstacle! Let’s see what you got!'”

Karr says anyone interested in being a part of the competitive BMX Jams must sign a waiver. Once that’s signed, they will have the opportunity to win prizes for their performances. The event will also feature live bands, free food and drink, and a raffle. Karr says the event provides a fundraising opportunity for The Academy BMX non-profit – and supports operations for the future permanent BMX park in Visalia.

“Our goal in the nonprofit is to be able to provide some bicycles and some safety equipment and be able to do some mentoring programs with the kids,” Karr said.

Karr says while the old community park may have been torn down, the lessons he and other riders learned will become a part of the non-profit’s work at the new park.

“We would teach the kids how to build the dirt jumps. We had a rule [at the old park], no dig, no ride.”

Karr says the community park being demolished created a community response and influx of positivity he never expected, with sponsors offering to help wherever they can. If you would like to help the non-profit, click here to donate to The Academy BMX directly.

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