Aptos residents protest demolition of bike park for new development

UPDATED STORY: Emotions were high Tuesday morning for the Aptos biker community, as their dirt jump park was flattened to make room for new construction. Some didn’t want to let go without a fight. Others just wanted to take one last ride. Dozens came out to say goodbye to a place they called their park.

“This is doomsday for everybody that rides bicycles,” Aptos resident Chris Lofano said.

Lofano said he’s spent many days at the Aptos “post office jump.”

“So everybody is just pretty bummed out,” Lofano said.

For him, and for others who gathered here, it wasn’t an easy thing to watch.

“Definitely really emotional,” a young biker said.

The demolition is making way for a new multi-use development. Santa Cruz County deputies responded to the area after a woman tried to block one of the excavators and another one was damaged. But most were there to hit the jumps one more time, and say goodbye.

Bikers said they’ve been riding here for more than 20 years. What started out as two to three jumps turned into 12, and an important part of the Aptos community.

Soon, this area will be part of the Aptos Village Plan, developed by Barry Swenson Builder. He said he worked to keep the park open as long as he could.

“(We’re) creating a new hub and a downtown for Aptos,” Jesse Nickell of Barry Swenson Builder said.

But for now.

“It’s like a part of my heart is being broken off,” again said the young biker.

Others worry about what’s ahead.

“The idea of building new residences and businesses, how is the water system going to be supported that way? That’s my biggest question,” resident Linda Oleson said.

For now, the bikers are focused on finding another home.

“(It’s) probably going to take a lot of time, but we’re going we’re going to try to find a chunk of land and start over,” resident Greg Watts said.

The first phase of the new development project will cost $25 million. There will eventually be a New Leaf Market and some mixed-use buildings. It’s expected to be completed by the fall of 2016.

PREVIOUS STORY: Residents stood their ground Tuesday morning, protesting the demolition of a neighborhood jump bike park near Aptos Village to make way for new development.

A large group of people are demanding that developers delay the Aptos Village Plan Proposal, allowing residents to vote on plans to build a New Leaf Market.

Protesters said local business owners are being forced out to make room for the new market.

They said they’re also concerned about increased traffic and the loss of outdoor space to exercise if the bike jump area is torn down.