CYCLE PARK SITE TOURED RESIDENTS WORRY ABOUT BIKE NOISE.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

CASTAIC - More than 100 people gathered Saturday at the Castaic Sports Complex for a first look at the site of a proposed motocross park and industrial center.

Developer Neil Nadler and members of the Castaic Land Use Committee hoped to receive public comments on the Castaic Action Sports Complex and Industrial Park before it is considered by the Town Council on May 2.

``This is a big venture,'' Nadler told the crowd. ``I want to understand the concerns.''

On private property about three-quarters of a mile from the northern terminus of Castaic Road, the project would include picnic and camping areas, two paintball fields and a recreation center with programs for teens and seniors, an arboretum, skateparks, and walking trails.

As many as seven industrial buildings would be constructed at the park entrance to house businesses catering to motocross enthusiasts, one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, according to motocross fans.

Nadler hopes to hold four to six racing events there a month.

Most of those who attended the meeting supported his plans, saying the Castaic community needs a place for children and adults to enjoy the sport in a safe area.

Riders typically head into the Angeles National Forest, on property owned by the Bureau of Land Management, or to the state parks department's 19,000-acre Hungry Valley off-highway vehicle recreation area south of Gorman.

But some residents who live near The Old Road said they were concerned about noise from the cycles, as well as traffic into and out of the park.

The park is intended for Marple Canyon, land that separates the north- and southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in northern Castaic.

``What is it going to be like in the summer, when you have boaters coming up to use the lake, and then those coming in to use the park?'' Castaic resident Cyndi Obest wanted to know. ``We'd love to have them, but we don't know what the noise will be like.''

Giovanni Degidio runs motocross parks in Corona and Bellflower. He told the crowd that noise can be mitigated and that residents near his two parks have come to like the motocross parks he has built.

``This is a great project,'' he said. ``I hate to see it in a way because it's competition for me, but look what it's going to do for the city. It's going to bring in income.''

Nadler said he was pleased with the result of the meeting.

``I think clearly, the only real issue was noise,'' he said of the community's response. ``I'm willing to work with the community to make noise a nonissue.''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com