A proposal to build a bike park in Cromwell will be discussed at the town's community board meeting this week but any agreement from the board could contain conditions after public submissions raised concerns.
If the proposal is accepted, it could mean a significant part of the Nepulsultra Recreation Reserve is turned into a bike park that proponents Cromwell Bike Park Inc say would cater for people aged 18 months to 18 years.
They had approached the board in March but more information was requested and no decision was made other than two board members would work through the proposal with the group and Central Otago District Council property officer Brian Taylor.
The result was a scaled-back version of what was initially proposed and the board then agreed in principle to grant a lease for the park, subject to public notification and the Minister of Conservation's consent.
Public notification closed on June 15 with only six submissions received, a number Mr Taylor found surprising in light of "perceived community interest".
Five of those submissions oppose the bike park with just one supporting submission, from the Cromwell Lions, only supporting in principle and raising several concerns, including the lack of toilets as well as security of and access to their yard and building, which are next to the park.
The Lions club also appointed a club member to help in the construction and ongoing maintenance of the park.
The most common concerns among the other submissions were the potential for vandalism, lack of toilets, potential for dust and land degradation and a loss of opportunity for passive recreation.
"We are very concerned that vandalism and antisocial behaviour will increase within the reserve, particularly during the evening twilight and hours of darkness," Cromwell residents John and Karen Quinn said in their submission.
"To place any unsupervised youth activity in a secluded area surrounded by mostly older people, desirous of living in a quiet neighbourhood, is not possible to meet with success," Cromwell residents Natalie and Derek McKeown said in their submission.
However, Mr Taylor said while it was recognised that those concerns could become realised, the risks would be manageable.
He told the board, in his report, it would need to weigh the consequences and impacts on the small number of nearby residents against the benefit to the larger community.
He has recommended the board reaffirm the lease in principle but add conditions such as: signs displaying contact details in case of misbehaviour or vandalism; prohibition of amplified sound systems; landscaping where appropriate; if possible, a single point of entry and exit for bike park users; and hours of use to be confined to specified times.
The community board will discuss the issue on Thursday.
