95% of all the very numerous rubber tracks in California are absolutely off-limits to the public. The high schools and colleges that harbor them do not allow anybody on and routinely have locked gates and high fences surrounding them. It’s sad and pathetic.
The last ten years of my SoCal HS coaching career (30 yrs) was with a beautiful track facility. The community and school district raised the money and a turf field/mondo track was installed. After ribbon cutting, the district administrators hired a full time facility manager who had the only set of keys. My keys no longer worked! Far too often my 200 or so athletes and fellow coaches had to wait for him to return from a late lunch before we could practice. Saturday morning practices required extra compensation for the manager (usually a case of beer) to unlock the facility. Worst of all, the city parks and rec department declared war after their community events were charged to use the facility. Most people thought I lied when they asked to use the track and I shared that I didn't have keys to open it.
funruns wrote:
Just an asphalt track would be nice
Yes! I'm not picky. Heck, I'd settle for any flat stretch of solid ground that was marked and accurately measured, and free of traffic and sharp turns.
Current sitch in Madison, WI:
Mansfield (for West and Memorial HS) - locked.
Lussier (for East and LaFollette HS)- locked.
UW- outdoor public use with university club sponsor got torpedoed during pandemic, now prohibited, indoor is gone.
Edgewood- spotty availability contingent on school use.
Cinder track adjacent to East- no restrictions, just be nice and stay away when East has practices. Community effort underway for resurfacing with caveat of public access.
Conversely, a bunch of us ran down to FSU during Club XC weekend, walked into the track, asked if we could do a workout, and nobody cared. FSU coaches were working with sprinters, the grounds crew was poking around, a bunch of teams were milling about, and the track did not disintegrate or start on fire.
Runner, MD wrote:
In my city in Canada there are multiple proper tracks within a 20-minute drive (rubber surface, fully marked), and then some asphalt ones as well.
Some are school tracks, some are in parks. School tracks are open to the public after 5pm, and city tracks are always open.
To answer a question above, no there is really no gate. At least not one that is closed.
Just a sign saying that the school has priority 8am-5pm.
Seems to work well!