My 11 yr old son occasionally rides his bike at the Park. He is very careful and respectful. He has been yelled at and even threatened by some elderly women (they said they would physically knock him off his bike). I asked a police officer about him riding his bike there, the officer said he didn't really understand why they have signs up prohibiting bikes and as long as my son isn't careless, he can ride his bike in the Park.
The park is there for everyone and I see all age groups when I go there so I find it offensive that a person would think it is a Park exclusive for a certain age group. I would suggest calling the non emergency phone number for the Police and ask them.

Dahlquist Park, formally Valley Park, is a community park for all age groups. However, Ron Butler, Rockford Park District deputy director of operations, said the public is asked to reframe from riding bicycles on the park's .43-mile walking path. That same request also is noted on the park district's web site regarding recreational activities at Dahlquist Park. The path was added to the park in 1984. Butler said the signs along the path prohibiting bicycles were installed shortly after the path opened to accomodate the many senior citizens many of who use the path and reside at the nearby Valley View Apartments high rise at 3303 E. State St.

The Rockford Park District has continually made the mistake of creating "single pathway" paths for walkers and bicycles. Sinnisippi "bike" path is a prime example. In Dahlquist Park, a more prudent approach for the Park District would be to create a parallel path on the 'throughway" sections of the path for bicycles. It's a bit melodramatic to say the elderly are "injured from bikes hitting them".
The only way the police could get involved would be if the Rockford City Council created a bicycle banning ordinance. The Park District does not have legal authority to ban any individual group from public lands.
No doubt bikes and the elderly on the path are a hazard, but there are hazards everywhere in life...

Then why are there signs up since I have been here?? And the park police have said no bikes. When my disabled brother has to jump in the grass and others because of bikes then it is a serious issue!! The park district said no bikes also. Call them up. The park should be enjoyed and not be a dangerous place with bikes not allowing people to walk!!! I am contacting Alderman Franklin Beach on this issue. If my brother gets injured from a bike who will pay the bills?

To the Hockey-Mummy I hope you are not suggesting that I am one of those ELDERLY WOMAN who has yelled at your son. I do not go to the park anymore because of the way it is. It was a good park!!!! If the police say bikes can be there then they should change the signs!!!! All ages ride bikes there.

Maybe people should raise money for a bike path. For your information an elderly lady did get knocked down from a bike and did get serious injuries. I am not trying to upset people, but every year gets worse with more bike riders. Some of them don't care if people have to get out of there way. When they go down the hills they cannot stop fast enough for people walking there. All i am saying is if you ride in the park beware of people walking and running around.

I did not suggest that you were one of the women that yelled and thretened my son, sorry if you misunderstood. It's terrible that people have been injured, some people don't care and that is sad. You'll have to keep us posted as to what Alderman Beach has to say..........

thanks, the reason I asked a police officer was that they would be the ones who would enforce any law or ordinance and like I said, they said it was fine and didn't know why bikes were prohibited. Because of my son's age, he didn't see anything wrong with it. Not everyone is considerate and that is unfortunate but the park is for all ages and anyone at any age could be hurt.

I talked to Alderman Frank Beach and he had made some phone calls. Also park police detectives have been talking to me about this issue. They said they cannot split the walkway because people would get hurt. They are keeping an eye out for this issue. They told me what they were going to do. I cannot reveal this information at this time. Its going to take a little while to see this change. I will be talking to them again.

That is very silly, not to allow bikes in a park! It is much safer than riding on the streets. Maybe if it was made for elderly they should card people, lol. I cant believe people would have a child ride in the streets so the elderly would have a place to walk. maybe they should go to the Y. Dont hate elderly or anything but c`mon a park.

I agree it's silly to not to let children ride their bikes in a park.
I also think it's silly to come on here and say that you are working with the Alderman and park detectives but you can't share the information on what conversations you've had with them are or what the solutions will be. Are we going to be arrested if our children ride their bikes in the park? What's "in the works"? Security cameras? I don't want anyone to get hurt but I think there's just as much danger that someone could get hit by a baseball since there are a couple of baseball diamonds in the park, should we eliminate those? I've almost got hit by a flyball on more than one occasion. You can take a risk just walking out your front door in the morning. Public Parks are for EVERYONE to enjoy, we just all need to get along

Perhaps Alderman Beach and his cohorts on the Rockford City Council will build a bridge from left over Riverwalk materials. The bridge would go completely over the park. It won't be the first time the Rockford City Council built a bridge that went nowhere...I'll look for it in about 30 years!

I said a parallel pathway (perhaps close to the creek); not "split the walkway". Another pathway will be built there anyway as part of the grand scheme of Rockford bike paths that will run along Keith Creek through Dahlquist, TwinSisters, Logli, and on towards the area that had houses flooded out and demolished on 6th and 7th Avenue. Until that happens, the park is for everyone.

Get a life people...bikes belong! People just need to be courteous!

You can't fix this problem fast. Its beginning of summer and its going to take awhile. The park district police need to follow up on their plans.

glad you have a plan but it seems that anyone else who has commented on this doesn't share your opinion. I have been in the park several times in the last 10 days and have seen both bikes and walkers getting along just fine - no one was even close to being injured.
I also wonder what the big plan is? Since you've been asked to fill us in on it but won't, I guess I'll have to call the Park Distric, the Police and the Alderman and then I will post it on here. Seems like all of us tax payers deserve to know......

glad you have a plan but it seems that anyone else who has commented on this doesn't share your opinion. I have been in the park several times in the last 10 days and have seen both bikes and walkers getting along just fine - no one was even close to being injured.
I also wonder what the big plan is? Since you've been asked to fill us in on it but won't, I guess I'll have to call the Park Distric, the Police and the Alderman and then I will post it on here. Seems like all of us tax payers deserve to know......

To Hockey-Mummy and everyone else!!! All I did was making it known that bike riding in the park was an ISSUE!!!! There are bike riders every day. Friday around 4p.m. there were MANY PEOPLE ON BIKES!!! Do NOT ATTACK ME ON THIS ISSUE!!! All I did was let it be KNOWN that the people that walk around the park have been complaining about ALL THE BIKE RIDERS and when THEY say anything to the riders THEY GET CUSSED AT!!!! I DO NOT HAVE A PLAN OF MY OWN!!! THE PARK DISTRICT POLICE SAID THEY HAD A PLAN AND THEY DO NOT WANT BIKES IN THE PARK!!!! THEY SAID THEY COULD ARREST PEOPLE ON BIKES!! I DO NOT go to the park anymore because of WHAT IS GOING ON THERE!!!! PLEASE DO NOT GIVE ME ATTITUDE ABOUT THIS!!!!! CALL THE PARK DISTRICT AND THE PARK DISTRICT POLICE, AND ALDERMAN FRANKLIN BEACH!!!!! I did NOT MAKE THE RULES OF THE PARK!!WHY DON"T YOU HAVE A BIKE PARTY THERE????? AND IF YOU GET ARRESTED OH WELL!!!!!!! All I AM SAYING IS IF YOU ARE ON A BIKE BE CAREFUL OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT!!!!!

no one is attacking you, just because no one else is having an issue doesn't mean we are attacking you. I have been going to the park for 12 years on a regular basis and have never seen any problems BUT that doesn't mean that there is not. Just because of a FEW BAD APPLES, not everyone needs to suffer. I too have talked to the police and THEY told me that it was fine for my young child to ride there bike in the park. With so many young families in the area, the children need a safe place to ride their bikes. I am confused that you don't go there but seem to know the time and day and amount there are bikes in the park.
Everywhere you go, there are unfortunately people who do not respect others - the alternatives are to not go anywhere and to call and report ill behavior to the police, which you have done. Now be done with it, you made your point, it's been reported - let those who "break" the law take there chances. I like others who are respectful will still allow our children to be safe. Peace out.......

Have to chime in.#1 elderly folks ! listen up! you had all of your life to create whatever xanadu you wanted... I pay my property taxes to provide recreation for EVERYONE!!!! I am sorry, but Valley View does not own the park! Park Police try to arrest me!

My concern is a DISABLED BROTHER who has walked in the park for years and complains to me that he has to walk in the grass because the bike riders WILL NOT MOVE OVER!!! He has many friends that walk around there and they have been complaining that there are TOO MANY BIKE RIDERS and they do not RESPECT the people that walk or run around!! When I heard a comment from one that said IF THEY DO NOT MOVE OVER FOR ME I WILL KNOCK THEM OFF THEIR BIKE!!!!! Is that good?? I would like to talk to the police officer that told you it was ok. Maybe your son is at an age that is younger then many of the teenagers that do not care. When I moved out here there were no bikes aloud. Do you think I liked it that my son could not ride in the park and had to ride in the street??? Do you think your son is so safe there when THE BAD APPLES are in groups bringing drugs and alcohol in there?? The park police do not want it getting to the point of gangs there. That is why they do not want bikes in the park. Also there are homeless men that get drunk and sleep in the park at night. I cannot enjoy the park anymore because all I see are bike riders and I know if I say something they will just laugh or say something NASTY!!! Maybe we should have a neighborhood watch meeting there and have the park police and the aldermen there and they can discuss this matter with all of us?? I only want peace also.

I was not going to comment anymore on this complaint but since you have brought up me and my son and my comments, I feel I need to respond.
First, I don't like being called a liar. If you don't trust that I talked to a police officer and what he told me, I feel sorry for you that you cannot trust people. I have no reason to lie.
Second, my son is younger than a teenager AND I am with him everytime he goes to the park for his safty and others. So I know how he behaves and make sure he is safe. Don't tell me how to parent my child!!!
Third people on bikes have nothing to do with gangs, I get how they are connected?
Fourth, I wish you luck in your personal quest to rid the park of bikes. You are going to need it. The Park District cannot be at one park often enough to start arresting 5 year olds for riding their bikes, give me a break. If they haven't "enforced" the no bike law in that park by now what makes you think they will in the future? They are cutting back on police and I don't think they will build a satelitte office in the park anytime soon.
Last, there have been others who have commented on this topic but you always seem to have a problem with me. I am done with this, don't involve me in your anger against bike riders or gangs or whatever. The world and the parks are not terrible places with squander everywhere. There is alot of positive things like the laughter of children and the smiles from the elderly to the basketballs games and the guy who feeds the squirrels everyday.

To Hockeymummy I am not calling you a liar!!!! I am almost sorry that I brought this issue up!! I would like to meet you. My main concern is for my disabled brother that walks in the park everyday. My brother got attacked by the bridge on the end of 28th street and a police report had to be made. This happened in daylight. I am not an angry person. I care too much. I did not know that your son was that young. That is nice that you take him there. More or less I have concern when there are groups of teenagers together in the park. About the police. I did get a phone call from the Chief who said they were in the park this morning and saw someone on a bike. He said they do NOT want bikes in the park. I do not make the rules. What ever happens so be it!!! You probably know my disabled brother since you know the squirrel man. I am no longer going to comment on this since it got this bad. And I pay property taxes also. Like I said I would like to meet you some day. Let me know if you would. I am not as bad as you think. Peace!!!!!

come on.....girls. have tea together and make nice. bikes are not permitted. follow the rule of the sign. if you don't like the signs, run for park board commissioner. this subject has grown legs and has been run into the ground.

Because there are less bike riders and more park police presence and there are always going to be people who do not follow the laws. This subject became verbally out of control. I do not like to be THREATENED!!!!!!