The starting gate drops and the riders explode down the hill of the dirt track, helmets fastened and pedals turning through bumps and rollers, carving through steep berms before sprinting across the finish line. That is the experience Corpus Christi BMX, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group, hopes to bring back to the Coastal Bend, with a project to reopen the former Salinas Park track.
The nonprofit is working to develop a USA BMX-sanctioned race track, creating new opportunities for local youth while strengthening community connections and filling a recreational gap that has existed in South Texas for years.
BMX racing carries deep roots in Corpus Christi, with multiple tracks built in the ’80s and ’90s, and most recently with Salinas Park operating from 2012 to 2018. With a passion for BMX still alive locally, volunteers ranging from parents to former riders created CCBMX to bring opportunities to new riders while providing youth with a positive place to spend their time.
“Sometimes simply having a place to belong and something to look forward to can make all the difference in a young person’s life,” Laurie Lyng, President of Corpus Christi BMX, said. “Bringing BMX racing back to Corpus Christi wouldn’t just serve our local community; it would become a hub for all of South Texas. Right now, there isn’t a sanctioned track anywhere south of San Antonio, which means families from Kingsville, Alice, the Rio Grande Valley and many surrounding communities have to travel even farther to participate in the sport.”
Building a local track would allow riders to explore a new sport or continue their dream without balancing long weekend drives, work and school schedules, fuel costs, hotels and other expenses. It would also support local businesses, attract visitors to Corpus Christi and create new experiences for South Texas families.
“I’d much rather see those travel dollars invested right here in Corpus Christi—supporting our own hotels, restaurants and local businesses—instead of spending them in another city,” Lyng added. “We love where we live, and that’s what makes this project so meaningful. Our dream isn’t to stop traveling for BMX altogether; it is to have the sport we love in the city we love. We look forward to the day when instead of driving hours up the highway, we’re simply loading up our bikes and heading to Salinas Park, just 25 minutes from our home. That’s the future we’re working toward, and we truly dream of the day it becomes a reality.”
This project would create year-round recreational opportunities that help promote physical fitness, expose Corpus Christi to district, regional, state and national competitions and allow young riders to pursue a beloved sport in their hometown. A design for the track is complete, and the nonprofit’s focus is now on securing funding. With commitment and community support, the vision of BMX racing returning to Salinas Park could soon become a reality.
Follow CCBMX on Facebook for updates and opportunities to help rebuild and reopen the track at Salinas Park.
