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ADAM GRIMSHAW/Daily Herald Christian Peper, left, and Steven Flygare, center, take a test run on the jumps at the Alpine BMX park. Christian, who just finished his sophomore year of high school, began building these jumps with his father when they moved into the neighborhood ten years ago. They have added to it little by little each year. He says that on a good day in the summer, bikers will come all the way from Ogden to jump.

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ADAM GRIMSHAW/Daily Herald Christian Peper works on a jump at the Alpine BMX park. Christian, who just finished his sophomore year of high school, began building these jumps with his father when they moved into the neighborhood ten years ago. They have added to it little by little each year. He says that on a good day in the summer, bikers will come all the way from Ogden to jump. Now that the park is being leased by the city of Alpine, Christian and his father are both part of the committee that oversees maintenance of the track.

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ALPINE — The City of Alpine acquired a BMX track in the city limits for the bargain-basement price of $10 per year. The city agreed to lease the property from Autumn View Properties for such a low price in order to switch liability from the owner to the city.

Darin Peper constructed the BMX track years ago on some lots adjacent to his property. Peper and his son have become regulars at city hall, appearing with a contingent to get a skateboard park in Alpine.

“This is something I championed,” said Mayor Hunt Willoughby. “It provides the youth with a good recreation opportunity.”

Some council members were concerned about liability issues at the track.

“We would need a posting for the property that states, ‘Using the track is at your own risk,’ ” said Councilman Tracy Wallace during a recent City Council meeting.

“If you provide it and fail to maintain it, then it is a liability,” said city attorney David Church said. “By doing this, the city will be the responsible party to make sure it is done.”

“The riders put in a lot of time and effort to keep these maintained,” said Steven Flygare. “If you ride, then you put in time with a shovel.”

Councilman Kent Hastings expressed a concern about liability issues as well as potential complaints about noise and dust.

“We have 270 acres of some of the best mountain biking in Utah; have you ever cared about that?” Willoughby said. “I have a simple view that this is not that big of a deal.”

“I am not recommending that you do it or don’t,” Church said. “You can’t stop doing things because of potential liability or you wouldn’t do anything.”

“We can see how it goes for the summer,” said Councilman Thomas Whitchurch.

Wallace made a motion to approve the lease of the property and instructed the Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Committee to appoint a subcommittee to monitor the track. Whitchurch seconded the motion. The motion passed with Wallace, Whitchurch, Kimberly Bryant and Jim Tracy voted in favor of the motion while Hastings voted against.

If you go

Alpine BMX track

545 East Ridge Drive