It’s intriguing, but premature. Those four words from board member Allen Jones summed up the reaction of the Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB) to an ambitious plan to build a city-owned bike park and community garden at the southeast corner of Nimitz and Famosa boulevards. The concept, developed by a group of bike enthusiasts calling itself Freeride Famosa, envisions a park that would be free of charge and beckon riders of all ages and ability levels. Supporters said the site, south of Famosa Slough and Bill Cleator Park, had been enjoyed and informally maintained by the sweat and shovels of volunteers on and off for decades until the city, citing liability and legal concerns, bulldozed away the most recent series of jumps and bumps in February. The land is owned by the San Diego Housing Commission and zoned for multi-family residential uses, though no housing has ever been built there. Freeride Famosa had asked for the PCPB’s support in changing the land-use designation in the Peninsula Community Plan for the area to allow for park activities. Instead, the board, citing uncertainty over how to amend the plan, liability, maintenance and the environmental impact on Famosa Slough, voted unanimously at its monthly meeting April 19 to refer the idea to the board’s Park and Rec Committee, and a room full of supporters filed away and met outside to ponder their next move. In the two months prior to pitching the idea to the PCPB, Freeride Famosa appeared to be making great strides in developing and gaining traction for the concept. They developed a logo, a website, a Facebook page, a site plan and a PowerPoint presentation and publications to explain it all. They even successfully applied for a grant, said Scott Irwin, vice principal of Dana Middle School and one of the eight organizers named on the group’s website. They also created quite a splash: more than 600 people have signed an online petition — many attaching messages describing heart-felt experiences and sentiments, Irwin said. The concept even appears to have international admirers: some of the petition-signers hail from as far away as Europe, he said. But supporters hoping to keep the momentum going got a glimpse of how slowly and deliberately the wheels of the democratic process can turn. Three imposing challenges appear to be in the path of such a park. Clay Bingham, a deputy director of the city’s Park and Recreation Department, offered this outline of the process: • Changing the land-use designation would eventually require the approval of the City Council; • Transferring the land from the Housing Commission to the city would require an appraisal and funding, unless the commission donated the land; and • Dedicating the park for bikes would require the creation of a general development plan from its current designation of Park and Recreation, which requires funding and public comment. Sizing up the hurdles, resident Jim Gilhooly asked, “Is this going to happen in our lifetime?” “I hear this all the time and I can understand,” Bingham said, noting his department’s director favors more parks, but not specific park uses. “But the process is out there to represent all citizens. It can be done, but it takes time and public input.” Irwin said parties he’s reached out to — including bicycle groups, nearby residential associations, the Housing Commission and District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer — have expressed interest. “Community support has been crazy,” Irwin said. “When the trails went away, we thought it was such a positive environment that maybe it’s worth fighting for.” He said the trails have offered quality time and camaraderie for kids and families and the opportunity for adults to convey the importance of safety and outdoor activity. Darren Miller, another Freeride Famosa member, said the park would include three trail areas corresponding to different ability levels and take advantage of existing topography. Other features include a community garden where residents could get a plot and grow their own food, walking trails for spectators and dog walkers, shade-covered benches and native plants to provide a buffer to adjacent housing. “This park would be so much more than a place to ride bikes,” Miller said. “This is a potentially trend-setting park that would bring value to our community.” Newly installed board chairman Geoff Page said, “It’s a great presentation and I think you have a lot of support here, but there’s more that needs to be done.” Details of the plan are available at http://freeridefamosa.com. OTHER PCPB NEWS • Page has been unanimously elected chair. Page was the only candidate after Jones, who had been elected chairman of the planning group in the Navajo area (eastern San Diego) days earlier, declined nomination. Commenting after what he termed his “tough election,” Page said, “I’m just a facilitator. I’m not up here to tell anyone what to do. The thing I like most about the planning board is that it’s a place for the community to come and have a chance to be heard.” • Of the remaining four other offices, half remain vacant. The selection of treasurer has been postponed to offer the position to former board member Nancy Graham, Page said. Graham did not run for re-election in March but is reportedly interested in filling the remaining year of John Gott’s term. Gott resigned earlier this year and will be replaced this month, Page said. The other vacant office is secretary and no board member has expressed an interest. Page said he will explore the possibility of the eventual officer partnering with a community volunteer for minute-taking duties. The other two officers, who will serve one-year terms until elections next March, are: Julia Quinn, first vice chair; and Rich Possanza, second vice chair. • Scott Peters, Democratic candidate in the Congressional 52nd District, has rescheduled his appearance to the next monthly meeting on Thursday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library, 3701 Voltaire St.