A great pump track, jump lines, and a skills park inspired by a legend
By Stephen Krcmar
One of three jump lines at the Gale Webb Action Sports park in Menifee, California.
Located about 80 miles from downtown Los Angeles, right next to Lake Elsinore, the Gale Webb Action Sports Park is one of Southern California's best parks for skateboarders and BMXers.
The massive park spans six acres and includes three jump lines, a wonderful 22,000-square-foot pump track by Velosolutions, and a skills park for new cyclists and mountain bikers.
Finished at the tail end of 2022, the park has been vital in increasing bike sales at Menifee Bike Shop. "We've seen a fair increase, but not nearly as much as the local urgent care," joked Craig Cooper, the CEO and owner/manager of the family-run store that opened in 1982 and is still in the family.
Menifee, a city in Riverside County, is a part of the Inland Empire and is often referred to as a bedroom community to Los Angeles. The city, named after a local miner, Luther Menifee Wilson, is known for its rolling hills and horse farms, making it an ideal location for the Gale Webb Action Sports Park.
With rolling hills, it's in horse country. Head to Temecula from Action Sports Park and pass a few horse farms. And those equine-loving folks love some jumping, so it's safe to say getting rad is in the water in Menifee, whether on wheels or a beautiful, four-hooved beast.
The park is named after Gale Webb, a Menifee resident dedicated to kids and action sports. For her decades of hard work, the septuagenarian was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and the BMX Hall of Fame.
The lay of the land.
THE DETAILS: ONE TRACK, THREE JUMP LINES, AND A SKILLS PARK
The Velosolutions-built pump track before the masses arrive! The Track
The track, a phenomenal Velosolutions build, covers 22,000 square feet. It has a ton of turns and many opportunities to get creative. Just keep your head on a swivel if you do. Or go early. If you go when school is in session, it’s pretty quiet until mid-afternoon.
Pro-tip for skateboarders: bring a broom. Menifee can be windy and the town landscaping crew is active and their work can kick rocks and detritus onto the track.
Pro-tip #2 for skateboarders: Bring a normal-length board if you have a quiver. The Lost Longboarder writes, “The pump track in Menifee, California is one of the most advanced Velosolution pump tracks I have experienced so far. And I would be surprised to see longboards here very often.”
The Lost Lonboarder provides a tour of the pump track.
Bikes dominate the park. We visited twice. There wasn’t a skateboarder to be seen. Some locals were surprised to see us on a board. One mentioned he’d been there a dozen times and had only seen one skateboarder.
Although the talent level is diverse and the median skill level is high, we saw some absolute rippers, including one little guy charging on a 12” bike.
There’s also a beginner section connected to the rest of the track, but it’s a great place for folks still learning.
Andy Buckworth, Bryce Tryon, and Javier Villegas Jr. charging! The Jump Lines
There are three jump lines: beginner, medium, and expert. The beginner track is ambitious for first-timers. The expert line can be intimidating for more experienced riders. "When it’s hot and windy, the jumps can be sketchy (obviously)," says local rider Patrick Gallaher. "Earlier in the day is nice when the winds are low and the sun isn’t in your eyes. Check the website; sometimes the advanced line is closed -- Saturdays, I think -- for work on the new jumps."
The builders moved tons of dirt when they were building. They trucked in 2,000 cubic yards.
A nice overview of the park, which includes the history of the park and an appearance by BMX legend turned stuntman Eddie Fiola.
AMENENITIES
Restrooms
There are two porta-potties. They’re pretty clean. On a scale of one to Burning Man, they’re about a four.
Water Fountain
Yes. It’s right next to the pump track.
Snacks
Nope. BYO.
Weekday vibe
During the academic year, it’s pretty mellow until mid-afternoon when schools let out. If school isn’t in session (holidays and breaks).
Weekend vibe
It’s busy. Get there early to beat the crowd.
Tips for non-locals
Make a day of it. Get there early and save some energy to hit the track in Temecula, which is about twenty minutes away. There’s also a track in Lake Elsinore called Serenity Park. Their dedication calls it a “BMX Track & Dog Park,” and that’s the recipe for making every town a bit better.
Check the temperatures during the warmer months. It can get hot in the afternoon. There’s not a lot of shade, but take advantage of it when taking a break. Skatepark
There’s a park called Audie Murphy Ranch Skate Park that’s three miles from Gale Webb.
Safety gear
We’ve been told helmets are mandatory. This wasn’t enforced during our two visits.
Post-session grub
Craig Cooper of the Menifee Bike Shop recommends Mi Pueblo Authentic.
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