AusLeisure

An $800,000 grant from Lotterywest has provided funding for the City of Fremantle to complete the construction of mountain bike trails in Booyeembara Park in one go, rather than in stages.

The project will see two mountain bike trails built on the eastern edge of the park, along with a pump track, landscaping, viewing areas and new parking.

The Booyeembara Park mountain bike trails will feature two downhill trails about 500 metre long, plus an access trail to get back up the hill.

The blue trail will be of moderate difficulty, with a plan to provide extra variety by splitting it into three separate lines with different obstacles halfway down before joining up again before the finish.

The Black trail will be for advanced riders, with larger and more challenging jumps and obstacles.

Both will be designed as ‘flow’ trails, which will enable riders to develop a rhythm, or flow, by maintaining momentum through sweeping turns, jumps and rolling terrain with minimal pedalling or braking.

Flow trails can be designed to be used by riders of different abilities, with beginners and less-skilled riders able to travel at slower speeds and roll over or bypass features and obstacles, and more advanced riders able to travel at higher speeds and ride over or jump features and obstacles.

A pump track is like a skate park for mountain bikes, where riders can practice and refine their bike handling skills.

The landscaping will include shelters, seating, bike parking, trees and shrubs, as well as integration with the adjacent six seasons garden, while lookout nodes will provide views at key sections of the trails.

The Lotterywest grant adds to the $300,000 already allocated to the project by the City of Fremantle, and a $300,000 contribution from the state government via local member Simone McGurk.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the additional funding from Lotterywest meant the entire project could be completed in one go, rather than in stages and notes “for a few years now, the City has been working on this project in consultation with local mountain bike enthusiasts and the Booyeembara Park Reference Group.

“We already have unsanctioned, informal mountain bike trails in this section of the park. The idea was to formalise those trails to make them better and safer for riders and the environment, as well as provide additional facilities to make the trails another great attraction for Fremantle.

“A big part of the success of our Lotterywest submission was the community drive and involvement to get this project up and running, so a big thank you to everyone who participated and contributed.

“This is a great outcome and we’re really excited about being able to deliver all aspects of this project.”

Fremantle Mountain Bike Collective spokesperson Sam Wilkinson said they were super excited by the commitment to build the trails in Fremantle.

“We will now have the opportunity to develop our skills and enjoy riding 12 months of the year without having to drive for an hour out to the hills,” Wilkinson said.

“This will deliver on the local mountain biking community’s vision for a local facility that can be enjoyed by families and novices right through to advanced riders that adds value and amenity to our beautiful Booyeembara Park.”

Additional parking will be provided along Stevens Street to service both the mountain bike trails and Sullivan Hall across the road. Toilets and barbecue facilities are available at Sullivan Hall.

Related Articles

29th March 2022 - Thredbo Interschools Championships attracts its largest number of mountain bike riders

23rd March 2022 - Kingston Mountain Bike Park among 41 Tasmanian sports projects to receive funding

12th November 2021 - Sunshine Coast’s Mountain Bike Tourism initiative among recovery grant recipients

5th November 2021 - Wollongong Council opens its first Mountain Bike park

29th October 2021 - Mogo Adventure Trail Hub will be major draw for mountain bikers

8th September 2021 - Campaign launched to promote Rockhampton’s mountain bike trails

9th August 2021 - Georges River Council proposes BMX/Mountain Bike Track

4th August 2021 - Common Ground Trails selected to deliver new mountain bike adventure experience

12th July 2021 - Tasmania’s West Coast Council continues to deliver mountain bike trails

4th May 2021 - Thredbo celebrates 30 years as a premier mountain bike destination

3rd February 2021 - Mountain bike trails upgraded in Margaret River and Perth Hills

9th January 2021 - Binocular installation treats hikers and mountain bikers to views of Birramal Conservation Area

11th December 2020 - Six-hectare mountain bike park opens in Sydney’s Northern Beaches

20th October 2020 - Mountain Bike Trails to be built on Tasmania’s Mt Owen

18th October 2020 - Dwellingup Adventure Trails project sees mountain bike network open in Lane Poole Reserve

2nd July 2020 - New Collie trails completed for mountain bike enthusiasts

22nd May 2020 - Warburton Mountain Bike Trails development to minimise environmental impact

22nd November 2019 - Major mountain bike trail opens in Tasmania

11th September 2019 - Orange City Council welcomes Mountain bike trails proposal

8th April 2019 - Construction tender awarded for Warburton Mountain Bike Destination

8th December 2018 - New Caloundra mountain bike trail set to entertain locals and visitors

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.