On March 18, 2026, the City Council directed staff to begin a feasibility analysis for the development and construction of a pump track. Council also authorized the appropriation of approximately $8 24,802 in anticipated park in -lieu fee s to the fiscal year 2026 -27 Capital Improvement Plan budget.
Discussion:
To determine feasibility of the development of a pump track in the City, Staff began initial analysis in the following areas: funding, location, liability, maintenance, and operations.
Funding
The City anticipates receiving a total of $824,802 in park in -lieu fees from the 61 -unit residential project located at 95 Argonaut . Chapter 14.16 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code ("AVMC") authorizes the collection and expenditure of park dedication and in -lieu fees for park and recreational purposes. Th e ordinance broadly defines "park and recreational facilities" to include public improvements necessary to develop, improve, or rehabilitate land and facilities for recreational purposes, including bicycle facilities and other recreational improvements. As a result, the proposed pump track would qualify as a recreational facility and bicycle facility within the meaning of Chapter 14.16.
In addition, Chapter 14.16 expressly recognizes that qualifying parks may be owned, operated, and maintained by either a public agency or a private association. AVMC therefore contemplates recreational facilities that are not necessarily located on City - owned land. Based on the language of Chapter 14.16, a publicly accessible pump track located on AVCA property is reasonably considered a qualifying park and recreational facility.
Park in -lieu fees are restricted to capital improvements and/or the acquisition and development of parkland or recreational facilities. Fees cannot be used for ongoing park maintenance, staffing, or operational costs. In general, public funds cannot be used for private property, and the use of in-lieu park-fee funds requires that the pump track be open and accessible to the general public.
Since the California Constitution prohibits gifts of public funds and even though AVCA parks are private property , Council can consider the construction of a pump track on private land a public benefit. The City will need to obtain from AVCA a long-term property interest sufficient to protect the public investment of funds and ensure public access. The City and AVCA will need to enter into an agreement for a recreational easement, long - term lease, or similar property interest.
Location
As part of the requested due diligence by City Council, staff has init ially looked at the three locations: Aliso Canyon Community Park, Canyon View Park, and Woodfield Park.
All three are AVCA owned and operated parks and would be subject to AVCA Board 339
approval and any Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) on the l ocation, which still requires review. Staff had preliminary discussions with AVCA staff about the use of AVCA property for the project. AVCA communicated interest in a partnership with the City for the construction of a pump track . However , because the project has not formally been approved by the City Council yet, no specific park location has been finalized yet. AVCA has expressed a desire for the City to officially submit a proposal to use one of their parks for a city -owned pump track to start the process in collaborating with the City. Staff will move forward with this action if City Council provides approval of the project during tonight’s meeting. Moreover, if directed by City Council, staff will work with AVCA on the final selection of a park along with an agreement for recreational easement, long-term lease, or similar property interest.
Liability
Staff received input from both the City Attorney’s Office and the City’s insurance provider, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA), regarding any liability that the City may have by constructing and owning a pump track . Government Code Section 831.7 grants certain immunity to cities from lawsuits arising from “hazardous recreational activities,” which are defined to include “ bicycle racing or jumping” and “bicycle motocross” on public property.
According to CJPIA, the City would not be exposed to any additional liability coverage- specific issue, and the pump track would generally be treated as another City -owned recreational facility. CJPIA has advised that from a risk management perspective, the City would need to ensure that design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of the facility does not expose residents or visitors to a potentially dangerous condition of property. As part of all agreements, Staff will ensure the construction contract includes applicable indemnification language and insurance requirements.
Also, the pump track would not automatically increase the City’s general liability premiums because premiums are generally tied to payroll, loss experience, and other factors, and not the addition of a single facility. The new pump track, however, would be added to the City’s property schedule to protect the facility from damage at an additional cost of approximately $1,260 per year.
Maintenance
Staff contacted the cities of Temecula and San Clemente regarding the maintenance of their existing pump tracks. According to both cities, annual maintenance has been minimal and the cost (approximately $2,000 to $10,000) absorbed within their existing park maintenance budgets. However, since Aliso Viejo does not have dedicated park maintenance staff, the work would need to be contracted. Staff estimates that contracting out routine maintenance would be approximately $12,000 annually for the pump track.
Maintenance consists of regular inspections, debris removal, and minor surface patching or sealing . Costs may increase depending on the surrounding landscape and other amenities provided near or at the pump track location. The Orange County Mountain Bike 340
Association has expressed interest in providing an annual contribution to the City to pay for these annual maintenance costs. So, there is a possibility that the City will not incur any maintenance costs if these donations come to fruition.
Operations
Staff found that many pump tracks are not staffed; however, some cities have park patrol staff who may monitor parks for the ir cities , open and close facilities if needed, and respond to calls for service. Staff’s recommendation is that the pump track would not be staffed and would be open dawn to dusk, seven days a week. However, h ours of operations, security, lighting, special events, and other operational activities, may depend on the agreement with AVCA.
Next Steps
As mentioned, in order to move forward with the project, the City will need approval from AVCA for a pump track location and a land-use agreement that would address public access rights, maintenance responsibilities, insurance and indemnity obligations, operational control, and the disposition of improvements upon expiration or termination of the agreement. This process may take several months to complete, as there could be other unforeseen factors that come into play, such as AVCA’s CC&Rs and site related mitigation/preparation or environmental issues.
Once everything is finalized with AVCA , staff will move forward with the Capital Improvement Project process, which includes completing all design work and construction. Because there are contractors that participate in cooperative purchasing agreements via Sourcewell who have designed and built several successful pump tracks in the Southern California region, there is the opportunity to utilize those cooperative purchasing agreements and forego a public bidding process, which is allowed per AVCM
3.02.090. Staff will analyze this when the time comes and proceed accordingly. The contract(s) for the design and construction of the pump track will be brought to the City Council for approval at a future meeting.
With the requested due diligence completed, staff is now seeking City Council direction on whether or not to proceed with the Pump Track as a Capital Improvement Project for FY 2026-27.
Attachment:
1. Presentation
341
Pump Track Update
City Council Meeting
June 9, 2026
342
THE ASK…
City Council provide direction to staff whether or not to move forward with the Pump Track Project as a Capital
Improvement Project for FY 2026-27
2 343
Background
• September 17, 2025
• Concept of Pump Track in Aliso Viejo proposed
• Creation of Council Ad-Hoc Committee
• October 1, 2025
• Approval of City’s Indicia related to Ad-Hoc activities • March 18, 2026
• Authorized staff to begin feasibility analysis (“due diligence”) • Earmarked $824,802 in anticipated park in-lieu fees for FY 2026-27 Budget
3 344
Funding Considerations
• Park-in-lieu Fees
• Capital improvements
• Excludes staffing, maintenance, and operating costs
• Chapter 14.16 of AVMC
• Authorizes collection of park in-lieu fees
• Park and recreational facilities
• Recognizes that parks may be owned by private association 4 345
Funding Considerations
• Gift of Public Funds
• Public Benefit
• Continued public access
• Recreation, youth activities, public health, and community services • AVCA Agreement
• Long-Term Property Interest
• Recreational Easement
• Long-term Lease
5 346
Possible Locations
Examined
• Aliso Canyon Community Park
• Canyon View Park
• Woodfield Park
• AVCA Parks - subject to
approval and agreement
• Other potential unforeseen issues
may impact location selection
6 347
Liability
• Government Code Section 831.7
• Immunity provided to cities from lawsuits arising from “hazardous recreational activities”
• Health and Safety Code Section 115800
• “Skate park” immunity provided to cities for injuries arising from the use of nonmotorized bicycles, scooters, inline skates, and roller skates used in the park
7 348
Liability
• CJPIA
• Pump track similar to other recreational facilities
• Contract indemnification and insurance
• Design and construction
• Routine maintenance and inspection
• Property Insurance – estimated $1,260 annually
8 349
Maintenance & Operations
• Maintenance
• Inspections, debris removal, surface patching/sealing • Estimated contract - $12,000 annually
• May increase depending on landscaping and other amenities • May be offset by donations from OCMTBA
• Operations
• No staffing proposed
• Dawn to Dusk, 7 days a week
• Agreement with AVCA
• Security, lighting, events, etc.
9 350
Future Steps (if Project Approved)
• Work with AVCA
• Location logistics
• Land-Use Agreement
• Proceed with purchasing process for design and construction • May include cooperative purchasing (“piggybacking”)
• Return to City Council for approval of contract(s) for project 10 351
In Summary
• No issues with use of park-in-lieu fees for project, even at AVCA parks
• No liability issues or concerns
• Annual maintenance is minimal, and offered to be covered via donation
• Numerous items to work out with AVCA, which may several months
11 352
THE ASK…
City Council provide direction to staff whether or not to move forward with the Pump Track Project as a Capital
Improvement Project for FY 2026-27
12 353