Kids come out for 'Kids-R #1' Action Sports Park opening
A scooter rider turns a 360 flip while demonstrating the Gale Webb pump track on Saturday. (Staff photos) By Doug Spoon, Editor In what ...
By Doug Spoon, Editor
In what was perhaps the Menifee Community Services Department’s proudest moment, a grand opening was held Saturday for the Gale Webb “Kids-R #1” Action Sports Park in southeast Menifee.
The park consists of six acres of hills and jumps creating a pump track for BMX bikes – the largest facility of its kind in California. A large crowd including hundreds of youth with their bikes in hand gathered to celebrate the attraction, which is named after a Menifee resident who is synonymous with extreme sports.
Gale Webb has been a fixture at local events for years, showing off her team’s skill in bike riding and skateboarding. Now, at age 78, she is honored to have such an elaborate facility named after her.
“I have never seen anything like this before, and I’ve been around town. I’m old enough to say that,” Webb told the crowd before the ribbon was cut. “To see all these kids here, having a great time, is wonderful. I made a promise to my friend that I would help kids for the rest of my life to believe in themselves, follow their goals and dreams and never give up, and to say no to drugs. It’s a great day to see this.”
Menifee city officials, including the entire City Council, were on hand to witness the event. One of the proudest was Matt Liesemeyer, in whose District 2 the track is located. Liesemeyer was happy to see the track opened before he leaves office next month because of term limits.
“I’m so proud of the contractors,” Liesemeyer said in reference to the track design. “They went above and beyond anything we could’ve imagined. We’re thrilled to have Gale and her family here today. Gale has been an awesome pillar in our community and we’re lucky to have her.”
Many top BMX professionals were on hand to support Webb and to demonstrate their skills on the pump track. Meanwhile, younger bikers tried out a small-scale skills course on a lot next door.
The pump track, which is open free of charge to the public, is located at the corner of Craig Avenue and Evans Road.
City Council member Bob Karwin addresses the crowd during grand opening ceremonies.
Kids lined up for free shirts, caps and other goodies from Vans and other vendors.
A BMX rider gets big air while riding on the Gale Webb "Kids-R #1" Action Sports Park pump track.
Kids tested out the smaller skills course prior to the opening of the main pump track.
Rider after rider went airborne while moving through the pump track course.
"You want hills? We've got hills!" seems to be the theme of the Gale Webb "Kids-R #1" Action Sports Park.
