Strap on your helmets and put on your protective gear as the Northern Beaches newest bike park has just opened.
Wyatt Ave Bike Park in Belrose is a purpose-built facility for kids and new riders to safely practice and learn skills before progressing to more challenging trails like Bare Creek and Manly Dam.
Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said Council’s own Landscape Construction Team worked with Trail Care to deliver a high-quality result and ensure the best outcome for the riding community.
“Riders of all ages will be super pumped to have a site they can call their own to practice their skills before they even consider going to the much more advanced Bare Creek and Manly Dam tracks.
“The site’s loop trail includes a beginner loop and mini flow loop; climb and descent, technical features, and gravity zone features, as well as bike launching area, a viewing platform, and so many environmentally conscious elements including 1050 new trees planted.
“This project would not have been possible without the instrumental work of local mountain biking advocacy and consultancy group Trail Care who helped design the park based on feedback from local skills coaches and parents of local riders to gain a clear understanding of what the community needed.” Mayor Regan said.
Trail Care’s Matt Ward is thrilled Council is supporting and investing in this growing sport.
“The new park provides awesome opportunities for kids and new riders to progress. Perhaps they've never ridden a bike on dirt before; here they can build confidence on corners, rock rolls, drops, and jumps. It's the ideal stepping stone towards other Council facilities like Bare Creek and Manly Dam.
“Working in collaboration with Council on this project has led to great outcomes, bringing together amazing landscaping work with local trail design knowledge. The end result is one of the best-looking skills parks I've seen.” Matt Ward said.
“We’re also so grateful to the local member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, for securing use of the site and advocating for this project. He has been instrumental since its inception, and it will be one of the many projects which will become his legacy.” Mayor Regan said.
Member for Davidson, The Hon, Jonathan O’Dea said he’s delighted to see all the hard work on the project has paid off.
“I was pleased to negotiate for the State Government to dedicate the land for community recreation on the basis that Northern Beaches Council took responsibility for planning and developing a new facility.
“Wyatt Ave Bike Park is designed for younger and less experienced riders and provides a safe introduction to an exciting and energetic sport. It is a wonderful complement to the neighbouring Bear Creek Bike Park” Mr O’Dea said.
In addition to 1050 new plants, 950 tonnes of excavated construction material from local construction sites formed the trail subbase, as well as 120 cubic metres of recycled mulch.
Council encourages all riders at any of the bike parks to wear appropriate safety gear.