Sapwi Bike Park welcomes riders from anywhere — and volunteers are building more
GoFundMe campaign underway to help pay for planned improvements and maintenance
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Sapwi Bike Park sits inside Sapwi Trails Community Park in Thousand Oaks, but it doesn't belong to Thousand Oaks alone. Anyone from Simi Valley, Moorpark or anywhere else can ride here. There are no day passes, no membership fees and no admission. You need a pedal bike and a helmet. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.
That openness shapes who shows up. Families come here. Kids come here. Cyclists of all ages ride the berms and rollers, watch from the sidelines and meet other riders. For parents looking to get kids outside and active, it's an easy trip. You don't have to ride to enjoy it. Watching a beginner nail their first roller or an experienced rider link a string of jumps is part of the experience. The park asks that children be supervised by an adult at all times.
The layout makes it work as a learning space. The park includes a pump track and three jump lines, each stepping up in difficulty. The pump track is built for endless laps with multiple routes and is designed for all ages and abilities. The beginner line has mellow berms, small rollers and two dirt tabletops. Riders stay on the ground. The intermediate line adds wood ramp jumps and dirt jumps. Riders decide whether to take air. The advanced line has five wood ramp jumps that aren't connected to the landings. It's built for riders who are comfortable leaving the ground.
A rider can start small, get comfortable and move up when ready. A beginner and an advanced rider can share the park without either one feeling out of place.
Volunteers have also built a downhill trail that runs from the parking lot at the top of Sapwi down to the park. It includes some easy jumps. Beginners can ride it too, since every obstacle can be rolled over. There is another practice area next to the bike park. The surrounding community park has additional skills stations along its multi-use trails, according to the park's website.
None of this came together quickly. Planning began in 2013, led by a small group of volunteer board members, according to the park's website. The Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association, a nonprofit and chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association, built the park in partnership with the Conejo Recreation and Park District. The agreement covers construction and maintenance of the bike park and the trails and skills stations within Sapwi Trails Community Park. Since 2017, a small crew of volunteers and a community of riders have built, maintained and steadily improved it, according to the park's GoFundMe page.
Unlike many public parks, Sapwi does not receive a budget from a city or other municipality, according to the park's sponsorship page. Organizers describe the park as entirely volunteer-run and community-funded, supported by donations, sponsorships and grants. Volunteers hold maintenance hours Sundays from 8 to 11 a.m. The crew welcomes newcomers.
Now that crew is looking ahead. A GoFundMe campaign launched by the park's organizers lays out improvements planned over the next few years. They include more dirt features and new lines for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. They want to upgrade the downhill trail with additional features, smoother and more dynamic laps and better progression. Organizers also want to add a trick jump and airbag setup for special events, so riders can safely practice jumps, build confidence and learn new skills.
According to the campaign, donations would pay for dirt, tools, lumber and raw materials for new features. The money would also cover equipment rentals and maintenance needed to safely build and shape the park. It would support upkeep of the existing jump lines and event support, including the airbag setup. Organizers say the park stays free because people care about outdoor recreation, youth development and a strong local riding community. They hope to keep it growing for the next ten years and beyond.
Those who want to help can donate at www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-sapwi-bike-park-maintenance-fund, share the campaign or join the volunteer crew on Sunday mornings. Sponsorship information is available at SapwiBikePark.com.
The park is open to pedal bikes only. E-bikes, electric scooters, electric unicycles, electric skateboards and remote-control vehicles are not allowed. Properly rated helmets are required. A full-face helmet is encouraged, along with gloves and pads. Bikes must be in good working order with at least one brake. Riders are asked to stay off the dirt when it is wet or muddy and to check SapwiBikePark.com or the park's social media page for closures. Dogs are not allowed in the bike park. The park is unsupervised. Riders use it at their own risk. For special events, email info@sapwibikepark.com.
