STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
April 28, 2026
CONSENT
14 SUBJECT: TEMPORARY (2 WEEKS) BIKE PUMP TRACK AT THE COMMUNITY AND
RECREATION CENTER (CRC)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to participate in the temporary pump track program in summer 2026 for a period of approximately two weeks at the Community and Recreation Center, to be located on a portion of the grass area near the lower parking lot, including submitting an application for a Temporary Use Permit and executing any necessary rental agreements, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for an amount not to exceed $16,000; and
2. Find the recommended actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15304.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
This report provides an overview of a proposed temporary modular pump track program and recommends that the City Council authorize participation in a two-week installation at the Community & Recreation Center during Summer 2026, to be located on a portion of the grass area adjacent to the lower parking lot.
The estimated cost to participate in the program is not to exceed $16,000 and is anticipated to be funded through existing Recreation Division budget appropriations. The temporary installation would allow the City to evaluate community interest, usage patterns, and operational considerations prior to making any long-term capital investment in a permanent pump track facility. The City Council can also consider purchasing the modular pump track at the conclusion of the rental rotation in summer 2026 and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary purchase agreements, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for an amount not to exceed $39,000.
DISCUSSION
Background
At the July 22, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to investigate a site selection for a pump track, including a feasibility study and site evaluation, and appointed Mayor Pro Tem Jones and Councilmember Rounaghi to continue working on this effort.
On January 12, 2026, the City’s Recreation Committee made a motion to support a pump track in Laguna Beach and specifically to prioritize location on NW edge of the grass field at Moulton Meadows Park while still exploring other potential site options.
Since the January Recreation Committee meeting, the City has hosted a strategic planning meeting to discuss the upcoming goals and priorities. Though the pump track was on that list, it was listed as a low- TEMPORARY (2 WEEKS) BIKE PUMP TRACK AT THE COMMUNITY AND RECREATION
CENTER (CRC)
April 28, 2026
priority item. In response to the community enthusiasm for a pump track, however, City staff explored the middle-ground option of a modular, temporary pump track for a limited time period this summer.
Modular, Temporary Pump Track
Through City staff research, City staff learned that, in the summer of 2025, a modular temporary pump track was rented and rotated among several Orange County cities, including Mission Viejo, Irvine, Tustin, Garden Grove, and Huntington Beach on a two week basis for each city; it was purchased by Huntington Beach at the end of the rotation for it to continue rotating the modular temporary pump track through its parks. A modular pump track will return to Orange County again in summer 2026 with Mission Viejo and Fullerton already committed; there is an opportunity for Laguna Beach to participate in this year’s rotating track to see if residents like the amenity and use it as assumed. There are several benefits to a modular, temporary pump track, including that it needs minimal site preparation and only requires a flat surface and the temporary program can gauge community interest without the long-term investment of a permanent track. The cost of participating in the temporary pump track program during the summer of 2026 for a two week period is approximately $16,000. If the City Council approves participation in the temporary pump track program in summer 2026, staff expects continued dialogue with the community and the Recreation Committee after the track’s time in Laguna Beach – what was good about it, what was not, whether it met expectations, and whether it is worth having it as a local amenity anywhere in Laguna Beach. Bringing a temporary pump track does not mean that a permanent one will follow.
City staff has identified two potential options for the modular, temporary pump track: (1) Community & Recreation Center; and (2) Moulton Meadows. Below is a list of the pros and cons for each option and a depiction of where City staff anticipates potential placement:
TEMPORARY (2 WEEKS) BIKE PUMP TRACK AT THE COMMUNITY AND RECREATION
CENTER (CRC)
April 28, 2026
Location Pros Cons
Community &
Recreation Center
City-owned facility has youth-oriented
programming
Limited access without a vehicle would
reduce parking capacity on the lower
lot, and one would need to wait until
EOC construction is complete.
Moulton Meadows
Park
Existing park, adjacent to mountain
biking trails already utilized by the
community, multiple access points,
connects to both Arch Beach Heights
and the TOW neighborhood.
Recreation Committee‘s preferred
location
Group of neighbors concerned about
park impacts
Staff recommends using a small portion of the grass area at the Community and Recreation Center. The grass area is currently used for parking and just a small section could be used for the temporary pump track feature while still providing adequate parking for facility users.
Next Steps
If the City Council authorizes the City to participate in the modular pump track program in summer 2026, staff would apply for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) from the Planning Commission and, if the TUP is secured, staff will initiate the rental agreement and coordinate with the cities of Mission Viejo and Fullerton to determine the rental dates during summer 2026.
The proposed temporary use is not expected to require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) under Laguna Beach Municipal Code Section 25.07.0008(A)(6), which exempts a temporary event. The project does not appear to meet the criteria requiring a CDP, as it would not occur on a sandy beach area, as defined.
At the conclusion of the rotation program, the City may have the option to purchase the modular track at a discounted cost of approximately $39,000, subject to future City Council consideration and approval.
Community Outreach
The City installed signs (Attachment 2) in the area around the Community & Recreation Center on March 30, 2026. Informal notices regarding the City Council discussion were also mailed to residents within a 500’ radius of the proposed site. Staff will summarize feedback generated from the notification at the Council meeting, and welcome resident and cyclist input prior to and at that time.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action would include a rental cost of approximately $16,000 that is included in the Recreation Division budget. If Council recommends purchase of the track, the cost would be $39,000 and the Recreation Division has sufficient funds available.
TEMPORARY (2 WEEKS) BIKE PUMP TRACK AT THE COMMUNITY AND RECREATION
CENTER (CRC)
April 28, 2026
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 because it consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. Examples include but are not limited to minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment, including carnivals, sales of Christmas trees, etc.
Here, the recommended action meets the exemption because it involves the temporary placement of a modular pump track which is similar to the temporary placement of structures for a carnival or Christmas tree lot for a short period of time.
Further, none of the exceptions outlined in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply. The project site does not contain any environmentally sensitive areas. There will be no cumulative impact resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place, over time. There are no unusual circumstances resulting in a significant impact on the environment. There will be damage to scenic resources, including trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings or similar resources, within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway. The project is not located on a hazardous waste site or any other site included on a list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5. The project will not result in significant adverse impacts to historical resources as defined by CEQA. Consequently, additional environmental analysis is not necessary to meet the requirements of the CEQA.
Staff will cause the Notice of Exemption (NOE) to be filed with the County Recorder's Office and State Clearinghouse within 5 days of adoption of this Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Modular Pump Track Design (Pg. 5)
2. Notice in the CRC grass area (Pg. 6)
Submitted By: Alexis Braun Approved: Gavin Curran, for
Alexis Braun, Acting Director of
Transit and Community Services
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Tierney Doran, Recreation Supervisor Jane Abzug, Assistant City Attorney