Topeka's Heartland BMX track fell into disrepair. These volunteers took action

Evert Nelson, Topeka Capital-Journal
·4 min read

BMX has been in Sidney Akin’s blood since she was a child.

Her father, Mike Allen, used to race at the Heartland BMX track since before it was sanctioned in 1983, and now Akin competes in races herself, even earning two Gold Cup plates last weekend in the South-Central Gold Cup Final in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

But racing is only part of Akin’s BMX story.

A new course layout is in the works at Heartland BMX Track, 4801 S.W. Shunga Drive, as volunteers worked Sept. 2 to get the track rideable again. Volunteers have been able to address county and city violations over its location.
A new course layout is in the works at Heartland BMX Track, 4801 S.W. Shunga Drive, as volunteers worked Sept. 2 to get the track rideable again. Volunteers have been able to address county and city violations over its location.

This past month, the racer — and Rossville Elementary teacher — assumed a new role as track operator, overseeing a reemergence of the track at which she, her father and son all raced before it fell into disrepair in recent years.

After the track was hit with multiple violations from the city and county regarding its location in a flood plain by the Shunga Creek, the long process of getting back to a ridable condition was underway.

“Two weeks ago, this track was grown up with grass everywhere,” Akin said during a workday on Sept. 2.

"We've had volunteers out here mowing," she said, "and now we've got our volunteers out here running the machines, working on everything, and we're getting it going.”

For the love of the sport 

Heartland BMX track operator Sydney Akin on Sept. 2 points out where a roller will be added in at the track. That and other improvements will bring it up to a national track standard.
Heartland BMX track operator Sydney Akin on Sept. 2 points out where a roller will be added in at the track. That and other improvements will bring it up to a national track standard.

Closing in on a 40-year anniversary, Heartland BMX, 4801 S.W. Shunga Drive in Crestview Park, is one of only a few BMX tracks in Kansas.

For years, the track has hosted Sunflower State Game championships and ushered in generations of riders to compete in weekly races during the season.

Heartland hosted the USA BMX state final for the seven years before it was moved in 2023 to Wichita, where is likely will be in 2024. That event is the qualifier for nationals.

“I love it,” Akin said. “This is my second home, and now that I'm a track operator, it really is going to be my second home. These are like my other family, and there's no other community like our BMX community.”

Akin said seeing kids grow up on the track and progress through the various classes is what it's all about.

Connor Grist, 5, helps measure distances using a rolling measuring device, as he and other volunteers work Sept. 2 at Topeka's Heartland BMX, 4801 S.W. Shunga Drive in Crestview Park.
Connor Grist, 5, helps measure distances using a rolling measuring device, as he and other volunteers work Sept. 2 at Topeka's Heartland BMX, 4801 S.W. Shunga Drive in Crestview Park.

That sentiment was shared with Matt Hogue, who traveled from Blue Springs, Missouri, to help out.

“I felt bad because they haven't got to race yet,” Hogue said. “We just got to get this track going for the kids.”

Hogue helps operate the BMX tracks in Blue Springs and Raytown and says he sees Topeka riders making the drive almost every week to practice or compete.

“The difference between this track — and the reason why I love this track so much — is well, in the past, because it is all dirt and none of the tracks really have that anymore,” Hogue said. “That's what this track is. It’s great atmosphere. It's just old-school BMX.”

From left, volunteers Justin Lillibridge, Howard Stice and Brayden Stice work to remove the damaged starting gate at Heartland BMX while Eric Spreer, with High Point Grading, uses a skid to level out ground at Heartland BMX.
From left, volunteers Justin Lillibridge, Howard Stice and Brayden Stice work to remove the damaged starting gate at Heartland BMX while Eric Spreer, with High Point Grading, uses a skid to level out ground at Heartland BMX.

The future of Heartland BMX

As heavy machinery and volunteers took to the dirt over the Labor Day weekend, a new layout could be seen emerging from the dust.

The track will be based on a national track layout and move the starting gate from its former position on the east side to the west side.

Volunteers rake away debris from the Heartland BMX Track on Sept. 2 as the facility prepares to become operational for next year's season of BMX racing.
Volunteers rake away debris from the Heartland BMX Track on Sept. 2 as the facility prepares to become operational for next year's season of BMX racing.

Matt Blake, newly elected track president, said he envisions the track going somewhere it’s never been before.

“We want to build this to the level of the Kansas City tracks to attract more riders and attract more people in the community to actually be proud of what we've done,” Blake said. “It's not about just moving dirt, it's the whole facility atmosphere.”

Heartland BMX will still operate as a sanctioned USA BMX track with local coaches certified through the national organization.

“Our team in particular has three coaches on it," Blake said, "so we'll have a lot of coaching present and hopefully we can get the new rider program to work at the level some of the other tracks around.”

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An addition of a mountain bike class has also opened up, and plans to allow the big-wheeled bikes on the track are in the works.

Through Shawnee County, Akin said, the track will receive new lighting and help to replace a bleacher for spectators.

How to get involved 

Changes to the facilities at Heartland BMX are ongoing as track operator Sydney Akins, far right, oversees a Sept. 2 workday.
Changes to the facilities at Heartland BMX are ongoing as track operator Sydney Akins, far right, oversees a Sept. 2 workday.

Plans to finish the track updates are ongoing, but Akin hopes they will be able to start practicing again in the next week or so.

In the meantime, those interested in learning more can go to the Heartland BMX website, Facebook Page and Youtube channel.

A public board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Crestview Community Center.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka's Heartland BMX track is being rebuilt. Here's what's next