Pump Track opens in Vacation Park

BY Dawn Rankins

Nearly five years in the making and the Pump Track is officially open and the families who flocked to its opening couldn’t be more excited. Vacation Park had its soft opening Wednesday last week and with it, the pump track opening to eager riders.

In June of 2017, Mika and Marga Kidd, after attending the grand opening of Serenity Park in Lake Elsinore, thought it would be a great idea for the kids of Canyon Lake to also have their own pump track. They immediately jumped into action.

Photo by Dawn Rankins

“After living in the same home in Canyon Lake since 1989, we saw the demographics change dramatically to younger families, without the amenities being updated to accommodate them,” Marga said. “It was now time for the kids and it would take the next five years to make a pump track a reality here.”

She said that once they had the vision, they decided to survey Canyon Lake families about both a pump trace and a splash pad.

“We went to Taco Tuesday and did surveys for both,” she said. “We obtained hundreds and hundreds of signatures for both.”

Photo by Dawn Rankins

Additionally, she said Eric Kerker and Willy West and others helped set up a Facebook Group Page and formed a subcommittee that worked with the Canyon Lake POA and Facilities Committee for input and pushed the project along.

“We had parents and kids show up to the POA meetings with signs in Sept. 2017,” Marga said. “We even had a demo day at Eastport that year.

We also knew it was important to elect board members who supported the kids. And supporting the kids is just what those newly elected board members did. Funding for the track was approved in June of 2018 for $425,000.”

Photo by Dawn Rankins

Deciding on the location was also very important, Marga said. Yet to be approved Sierra Park North (now Vacation Park) was the best location, she said, and now the next step was getting the park project put on the ballot.

The community spoke, she said. They wanted this project for the kids and families and it passed.

“It’s with our deepest appreciation and thanks to GM Eric Kazakoff and Director of Operations Steve Schneider for seeing the project through,” Marga said. “Mike and I know that this would never have been done without those guys.”

Mika and Marga Kidd. Photo provided by Mika and Marga Kidd

The Kidd family had already made a contribution to Canyon Lake by way of donating a bench, Kidd’s Place. Now, the pump track is something they’re extremely grateful for.

Although Vacation Park isn’t complete and is still waiting on back-ordered items, the pump track is ready.

The park had its soft opening on Wednesday last week and the pump track was officially opened. Dozens of grateful riders and their families made it to the park to try the state-of-the-art pump track out.

Amara Non, 15, said she enjoyed being at the track and watching her friends ride.

“It’s so nice to have the pump track,” Cruz Cortez, 15, said. “I am glad we have a place to ride and not get into trouble. I will be here a lot.”

Photo by Dawn Rankins

Photo by Dawn Rankins

Photo by Dawn Rankins