The Sports Boulevard, an avenue entirely dedicated to leisure. A Bailly-Romainvilliersyoung people can have fun in complete safety. On Saturday September 28, 2024, the legendary bike park was inaugurated. Rehabilitated last summer, it allows for athletes and novices alike to go scootering, cycling or even rollerblading. Nestled in a wooded and shady setting, the 280 meters of the moguls course are essential in the region. Near, the basketball court and the educational area were also renovated. At the heart of this project: an intergenerational spirit.
The Bailly bike park, a key facility. Located near the gymnasium and the Youth Housethe bike park is popular with all young people in the surrounding area. Some even took their first steps on a bike there! The renovation of the bike park? Obvious! « Above all, we imagined a place where young people from the town (and their families) could come to have a good time. There is indeed the bike park which is used by rollerbladers, scooters… This morning, we even saw a balance bike with a dad following his little boy (who had the helmet). Next door, we have a road safety course and a basketball court. Finally, there is the city stadium which has also been rehabilitated. The floor was very damaged, it was a promise I made to the young people. » Long-term work that ends up paying off. On Saturday September 28, 2024, four facilities were inaugurated alongside Jean-Baptiste Rey. Three of them were completely financed by EpaMarne/EpaFrance. « And, it gives an idea of the collective intelligence that we can have with the developer. They had revenue from the municipality (from developed areas) which made it possible to finance this bike park, which allowed us to finance the renovation of the city stadium. We have a great collective intelligence in the interest of Romainvillersois. » To face the challenges of tomorrow (and preserve this beautiful living environment), the municipality relies heavily on the public developer to build the future of Bailly. And it works!
The bike park, a freely accessible space. How does it work? In Bailly, the circuit is strictly intended for cycling (motor vehicles are prohibited). Children under the age of twelve must be supervised by an adult and wearing a helmet is obligatory. “ It is a space that is permanently open, there is no need for reservations. It is not reserved by associations. We realize that the generations mix, they interact with each other. We sometimes see seniors who come and sit on a bench, they see a lot of family life. » A beautiful meeting space which is preserved by its users. “ We monitored it all summer to see how things were organized and it was self-regulating. The older ones pay attention to the little ones. When there are BMX bikes (which go much faster), they are very vigilant. There is a kind of benevolence that has been established. The wooded park has been preserved. In the event of a heatwave or extreme heat, it is a place where it is cool. » Last summer, this island of freshness proved its worth! “ Le bike park, it is paved with a maintenance cost for the municipality which is much lower than what was before (with gravel, weeding). We must also think in terms of budget balance. We are trying to think of development districtsthat’s what we did all along the Boulevard des sports. » Very soon, a play area which was designed by the Neighborhood Council should emerge from the ground, it is located on the other side of departmental road 406. “ There is also a football field which is taking a little water today… We are trying to find a solution, the solutions identified are extremely expensive. We need to work on financing. We are focused on it, we know there is a wait. ” With EpaMarne/EpaFrancethe municipality is now actively working on deployment of its cycle paths. A project worth more than 700,000 euros.
The good understanding between EpaMarne/EpaFrance and Bailly-Romainvilliers. Today, municipalities are facing new challenges (such as the increase in the price of electricity, the cost of agents, the lack of resources)… To meet the expectations of local residents, they must absolutely rely on partners. “ It’s a double source of pride because it makes it possible to understand the role of a public developer, it is to support the territory in developing housing districts or business districts. We forget all too often that the public developer is also there to develop public facilities.. » On the day of its inauguration, some bikers came from far away: Chelles or even Torcy. « This morning, we saw residents of Val-de-Marne using this equipment. It’s a real pride to say that what we do is truly useful. And, this is done in a very partnership-based negotiation between the territory and the public developer. » Why does the municipality of Bailly-Romainvilliers must it absolutely rely on l’Epa Marne/Epa France ? « Val d’Europe is developing a lot because the attractiveness and dynamism of Disney is a reality (notably with the arrival of many companies). The link between employment and housing is essential. This is the reason why this territory is developing on its two sides. » The well-being of residents often depends on this equipment. Faced with progressive growth in the municipality, this need for public facilities is growing day by day. “ This is what we have been working to do on a daily basis since 1987. The agreement between Disney and the EPA was signed at that time.. ” underlines Jean-Baptiste Rey.
Le bike parkthe before and after. The famous bumps could have disappeared… In the 90s, the course was strewn with stones. At the first fall, the first scratch could traumatize some parents. Today, the historic route has been preserved. “ It is absolutely essential not to demolish what can be rehabilitated in an intelligent way. Whether for the educational course or the cross track (the bike park)… At the time, it was dirt, with a lot of stones. Maintaining a dirt track is not easy. The fact of coming to resume the route and redo new bumps (on hard ground), that means that it will be even more durable. » Thanks to this bitumen rehabilitation, the course is more secure. “ There are a lot of people who use it, and they are respectful. This is very important, there are no people going in the opposite direction, they are all going in the same direction. For the community, it is important. Having public equipment recognized as dangerous would be dramatic. The fact that people respect the equipment is the best thing that can happen to us. » Respect for the equipment which guarantees its durability.
The legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games is already beginning to be written. The images are still in everyone’s minds… Near the bike park, it’s the three-a-side basketball court which attracts the attention of young people. An unexpected enthusiasm! “ They helped raise awareness of three-way basketball which was little known. And there, the basketball court… It’s a three-way basketball court where there is a basket. Finally, we are in a real dynamic of the Olympic Games with BMX which was propelled by the media with the three French medalists. » An interest in its disciplines which did not exist before the Paris Games. Now we have to meet the demand! “ I think there is a before Olympics and a post Olympics. Besides, I don’t have any figures on three-way basketball but… BMX Race, there are today 23,000 licensees in France, 1,700 in Ile-de-France. The only two clubs in Marne-la-Vallée are Torcy and Chelles. There is one that is not very far away (Boutigny). All three are sold out on new memberships because there are too many requests following the Olympics. ” Today, a new club should be created in the territory to meet demand. Alongside associations and communities, we will always find EpaMarne/EpaFrance. “ I have a little interest in being an amateur competitor and having a cousin who is a member of the French team among professionals. I came to try it for the first time, a few weeks ago, and I just loved it for the two hours I came. It’s really very close to a BMX track ! The width is reassuring, you can be overtaken in complete safety ! » Equipment that withstands even the heavy rains of the day before. A great bet!
« This equipment is a reflection of what we have done in the Marne-la-Vallée region: very respectful of the environment.. » The Bailly-Romainvilliers bike park is located at Boulevard des Sports. Between the basketball court, the educational course (to deal with traffic) and the 280 meters of moguls… Young Romainvillersois can have fun together in complete safety. Renovated by EpaMarne/EpaFrance, this equipment still has many years to live!
