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San Clemente to build OC’s first pump track, slated for summer opening

March 3, 2025

Orange County’s first asphalt pump track is expected to open by summer in San Clemente – and a wave of similar projects around the county could follow.

Workers are set to start construction today, March 3, on the 18,000-square-foot track at Richard T. Steed Memorial Park, replacing a plot of dirt formerly used as a dog park next to the popular skate park and pickleball courts.

The city in December awarded American Ramp Company with a $615,000 contract to build the new amenity, a windy track with bumps and curves that will span more than 500 feet. There will also be a smaller beginner or warm-up track.

The pump track was approved in the city’s most recent update to the Steed Park Master Plan. Like the nearby skatepark, it will be maintained and operated by the city.

Maddie Ferson, action sports development specialist for American Ramp Company, said the Moussuri-based company has built more than 100 pump tracks across the country. The hope is that San Clemente’s will serve as a model for other local communities that might want to add a similar amenity.03

“It’s going to be an iconic project,” Ferson said. “It’s definitely a historic project for us and Orange County. Sometimes, you just need one city to step up and be the leader.

“We are already talking to other cities interested in attending the grand opening and using San Clemente as a template — how it changes the community and the offerings it brings,” Ferson added. “We’re excited and optimistic that this will be the first domino to fall into Orange County.”

Already, American Ramp Company has completed a few asphalt pump tracks in Southern California, including in Temecula, Corona, Menifee, Canyon Lake and Inglewood. Another in Moreno Valley is breaking ground next month and San Diego has plans for one in Chula Vista.

Evan Wallace, 24 from Lake Elsinore, rides his bike on the pump track at Ronald Reagan Sports Park in Temecula in 2021. San Clemente is slated to get Orange County's first pump track, with construction starting Monday, March 3, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) — Evan Wallace, 24 from Lake Elsinore, rides his bike on the pump track at Ronald Reagan Sports Park in Temecula in 2021. San Clemente is slated to get Orange County’s first pump track, with construction starting Monday, March 3, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

The company also does temporary pop-up tracks for communities that want to test one out and gauge the interest of the communitiy. Last year, Mission Viejo had a demo track installed for a few weeks, and it is coming back to the same spot May 5-18.

From there, the demo track will go to Garden Grove from May 19 to 25, then to Irvine from June 2 to 15, and to Huntington Beach from June 16 to June 29. The last stop will be in Buena Park from June 30 to July 14.

Those smaller, temporary tracks are about 25 feet in width and 70 feet in length in an enclosed loop.

A young rider gets an assist on the pump track. (Karen Billing)

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A young rider gets an assist on the pump track. (Karen Billing)

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Both the temporary and permanent asphalt tracks can be used by skateboarders, bikers, scooters and rollerbladers, Ferson said. The “pump” comes from the series of tight hills the track forms for riders to go over.

“It’s something inclusive from the apparatus standpoint, but also any skill level or ability — kids learning on strider bikes, teens, grandparents are out there using the tracks,” she said. “I think it’s really unique in that these facilities are so inclusive across the board. They are also just a lot of fun. The more you use it, the better you get, so your skill develops quickly.”

The most important perk: It gets people outside, she said.

“I think any outdoor recreation benefits the community,” Ferson said. “Our goal is to get kids and individuals outdoors and engaged with their neighbors and fellow riders. I think that’s the hope, it gives people the chance to practice their skills, meet new people and get outdoors — and maybe it leads to a life-long passion for the outdoors and opens the door for kids who may not have the opportunity to get outside to be active.”

David Browning, president of the Orange County Mountain Bike Association, said the city’s support was paramount to the public-private project. It also drew strong support from the mountain biking community.

The location is especially ideal, he said, due to its proximity to popular mountain biking trails in nature just steps away from the track. Riders can warm up on the track before hitting the natural-surface trails.

“It’s just a cool venue,” he said.

Shimano — which makes components for bikes such as shifters and breaks — donated $200,000 to kickstart the project. The Friends of San Clemente donated another $100,000.

The city matched the remainder of the funds, while the mountain bike association donated about $15,000 worth of design and planning work.

“It’s going to be a phenomenal project,” Browning said. “The support for biking is huge. Mountain biking is big in our city and in our county, and getting new places to ride is pretty tricky. Land in Orange County is pretty valuable. So a lot of times, we struggle to find a new place.”

There will be an area for people to watch above the small oval loop that’s meant for warming up or for small kids learning how to ride. Then, there’s the wider back section that will be the full 531-foot track.

“We really optimized the space,” Browning said.

While San Clemente is known for its surf and skate culture, many people aren’t aware of the rich mountain biking scene, he noted.

“Orange County in general is very popular with mountain biking and San Clemente has some of the best trails out there,” he said. “It’s a city that is committed to outdoor recreation.”

One of the best riders in the world, Freeride Mountain Bike World Champ Cameron Zink, calls San Clemente home and spoke at a city meeting in support of the project a few months ago.

“(Zink) will ride the track. My granddaughter will learn to ride it. I’m a spritely 60-year-old, I’ll be riding that track,” Browning said. “It’s the kind of thing anyone can enjoy. You can find yourself working up a sweat pretty quickly. And you can use the skills, learn how to manage the bike, you can turn around and ride into San Onofre State Park on the natural trails.”

Pump tracks are also popular for “flow skateboarders,” a cruisy-longboard style that is conducive to the bumps and curves of the track.

While other cities, including Laguna Beach, Tustin, Irvine, Santa Ana and Mission Viejo have shown interest and have found site locations for potential projects, the next pump track to come online is likely an OC Parks project in Fullerton at Craig Park Regional Park, Browning said. That project already has funding, has earned approvals and is in the request for proposal phase.

Construction will start Monday, March 3, 2025 on a new pump track in San Clemente, the first asphalt track of its kind in Orange County. It is expected to draw bikers, skateboarders and scooter enthusiasts when complete. (Courtesy of Orange County Mountain Bike Association)

A groundbreaking ceremony mid-Feb. marked the start of a new pump track in San Clemente, the first in Orange County. The pump track is expected to be complete by summer. (Photo courtesy of Orange County Mountain Bike Association)

San Clemente to build OC’s first pump track, slated for summer opening Orange County Register

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San Clemente to build OC’s first pump track, slated for summer opening

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