Managing relationship with travellers at bmx track

We’re a diverse bunch here with a range of experiences so someone might have ideas.
My clubs bmx track is regularly closed, missed coaching etc as large groups of travellers move into the car park. I can see why, it’s off the motorway and A road, lovely setting, space for animals, water taps and toilets, must be a great spot.
In the past there’s been a few minor issues with kids pinching car keys, hassling people riding and allegedly chucking stuff at people trying to ride. They set up camp across the gate as it’s the quiet end of the car park away from the play area etc.
Ideally I’d like to have some dialogue with these people and see if we can’t help each other eg we could set up a hose for them, put on a session for the kids, in return for maybe not blocking the gate and not hassling people coming down for kids coaching.
Is this doomed to failure do we think?
There isn’t a huge amount I can offer as we can’t encourage them to stay and don’t really want them to long term, and equally I doubt they will stop coming as it’s a great spot

I admire your noble approach to this, but I think unfortunately you’re wasting your time.

I think your best bet is arranging more secure access, next time they move on.

Your council ought to have a traveller liaison team, speak with them.

Nice idea but I would put my money on doomed to failure. I would put my efforts in to getting them moved on

I wouldn't offer s hose but would ask if they would mind keeping the gate clear. As with all sections of society, there are good and bad and they may help you out.
We had some setup at work last year and they moved slightly to keep an entrance clear when asked.
It sounds like you (or the council) need a longer term solution to secure the site.

Big boulders. That’s what you need. Anything that stops them coming into the site.

I hate to be that guy but if you give these people and inch they’ll be there forever, causing trouble with no incentive to move on.

I hate to be that guy…

The guy bringing the uncomfortable truth.

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLTETaWswCY

Theyll also probably dump a load of rubbish and commercial waste in the carpark and it'll cost you thousands to clear up.

Best thing you can do with the hose is turn it on them to be honest

(ETA don't do that because you'll probably end up dead)

'these people'

'these people'

OG post "these people" was fine and in context, @Light_EDDed 's "these people" has hints of cuntishness.

Club is already working with council to get this sorted I guess? It is a tough one as there are fewer and fewer places to stop, and, as you say that car park offers a very good secluded space.

It might prove difficult to forge good relationships but if you can do so this would be a good step.

They (travellers) have different cultural norms, values and sense of responsibility than “mainstream” society so having a polite conversation won’t work generally.
A mediator might be useful but haven’t got a clue where you’d locate one.
The other option is to raise the stakes and go for all out conflict although that could be painful on many levels.

The other option is to raise the stakes and go for all out conflict

Yeah, that seems like a shit option.

I’m just being pragmatic. I’ve nothing against “these people”. Most just want to get on with their lives in their chosen way. However like with any cross section of society there will always be some bad apples spoiling it for everyone else.

I think the proposal is well intentioned and would be amazing if it worked. But from what was said there’s already a high chance it won’t work as intended.

Boulders and etc won’t work as it’s a council car park in a busy council park, the track is just part of the park rather than being private land.
Stockport don’t currently have a liaison person that we can find, they seem to focus on enforcement and moving on but not very well so each visit takes over a week to clear which often knocks out 2-3 club sessions.
Rubbish whilst annoying isn’t an issue for us as it’s council land so they will clear it pretty quickly, and to be fair they aren’t the only people who drop rubbish in that park

When I worked in highways we often did a bit of unofficial liaison, a crate of beers, some flowers for the mum etc to get people to move but I guess they were people who lived in the town most of the year so had an interest in being reasonable

Not sure what the downside of asking for the gate to be kept clear is. Either they oblige or they don't and you're in the same place.

Might be worth searching online to see if there are any tips to on how best to engage. E.g. How do you go about talking to the person in charge?

I definitely wouldn't offer anything like access to water etc.

I'm struggling to picture how there can be no way to crate physical obstacles. Our park (as in park with a playground etc.) had a traveller settlement and after the council put up loads of physical barriers to prevent another group settling in the middle of the park.

I'm struggling to picture how there can be no way to crate physical obstacles. Our park (as in park with a playground etc.) had a traveller settlement and after the council put up loads of physical barriers to prevent another group settling in the middle of the park.

It is a public car park right by the bmx track. Boulders etc would need to be retractable for the other park users or something.

Right. Got you.

I guess a width and restriction to only let cars through would be the obvious first option.

Otherwise a retractable parking barrier. But I guess that brings in a whole load of other admin.

Here's a site plan. The access road has residential houses further North.

It'll take a lot of solving.

1 Attachment

I don’t think there is a physical solution really, anything that stops a caravan would also stop a campervan, minibus, council truck or van- all of which regularly also use the car park.
Besides the council creating a specific site in the area, which would be wildly unpopular as it’s mostly an affluent area, I can’t see another solution either really.
Anyway, not a total loss, we had a great pumptrack to ourselves in the sun instead of the bmx gates planned

1 Attachment

Besides the council creating a specific site in the area, which would be wildly unpopular as it’s mostly an affluent area

They created one in Bath

I'm originally from the shithole that is Wythenshawe.

Many years ago I used to ride my bike to Bruntwood Park to play on the Zip Wire they had.

If I remember correctly, the good people of Cheadle / Bramhall were never too keen on having council house types in their park.

Love the occasional news update from south Manchester that pops up on the forum, makes me feel......wistful.

Wythenshawe

Has pump track and trails too now in the park by the running track.

Man we had the same with a group of kids always being annoying when we were playing bike polo, really difficult to do something about. I feel your pain