Local kids wheeled into the Byford Youth Space last week to make their voices heard on design elements of the new pump track/jump line, and skate park upgrade.
If everything goes according to plan, from March next year the north-eastern corner of Briggs Park will undergo a massive transformation, with both projects to go ahead simultaneously.
Common Ground has been tasked with building the pump track. The Margaret River based-company has designed over 150 pump tracks all over the country, and they have confirmed that the Byford facility will be the largest asphalt-surfaced pump track/jump line combo they’ve built to date.
The project is being funded from the transferral of a $1.3 million state government grant initially awarded for the thwarted Byford Splash Park.
It will be built on the southern side of the pavilion where an existing concrete slab sits vacant, meaning no tree clearing is necessary for the build.
The skate park will be practically doubled; the Mead Street entrance to the pavilion carpark will be absorbed and the upgraded skate park will extend to the fence line at Gordin Way.
There’ll be new skateable elements, new shaded seating areas, CCTV and lights.
The skate park upgrade is also being funded by an $800,000 state government grant.
And the locals are pumped for it all.
“The skate park looks like Gwynne [Park] but better – there’s heaps more stuff,” Finn said.
“When it all opens it’s gonna be super, super busy,” Teyen said, who is keen to no longer have to head to John Dunn in Kelmscott to get a ride at the nearest pump track.
“John Dunn gets busy a lot and I don’t like riding when there’s heaps of people around in case I stuff up.
“With a skate park and pump track, I reckon I’ll be happy to just stay here.”
But there were also a few comments from local riders about missed opportunities to install a bowl or half-pipe for the skaters, and a greater diversity of right and left-handed jumps or a “trick jump line” on the pump track.
The Common Ground team has said the pump track was designed to be accessible to younger, less experienced riders, while the perimeter jump line was designed for intermediate to advanced riders.
When it came down to the business of choosing a design, there was a clear preference shown for red asphalt on the pump track.
“Red won’t get as hot as black and melt your tyres down during the day,” Jaxon explained.
“And it stands out more – you’re probably not going to crash as much,” Finn added.
While it’ll be an adjustment to ride on asphalt (the pump track at John Dunn is compacted dirt), most agreed it was a smart move to seal the track.
“You get shredded more on asphalt, but it’s better ‘cos the track won’t need to be shut down as much for maintenance,” Teyen said.
“Like, there might be chips and stuff, but it won’t be wrecked from dirt bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters like dirt jumps get.”
“I’ll probably just wear kneepads,” Jaxon said, in agreement.
The kids were all in favour of the bigger, bolder colour palette, with no votes recorded for the more muted, earthy tones.
But while there was huge support for the use of a vibrant aubergine in the design, there was some ambivalence towards the yellow.
“It just kinda looks a little too like Maccas,” one kid explained.
And there was some serious consideration given to the design of the shelters used too.
Many were keen on making sure they provided adequate coverage from the heat and the rain.
“I don’t like the stripey ones – you need to make sure there’s no gaps in the shelter roof or you’ll get tan lines, and Mum and Dad will look like zebras for a few weeks,” Teyen said.
Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones listened with interest to the justifications given for the design choices, and shared in the excitement about the project’s impending start date.
“The Byford Pump Track is getting closer to reality and Common Trails’ design brings home how much enjoyment this will bring to serious and casual riders alike,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see my election commitment taking shape and future users being brought along for the ride with drop-in sessions like the one held today.
“They keep our community engaged as real stakeholders in their infrastructure, and build excitement for the new pump track to be built.”
The shire still has a few teething issues to work out – there are currently no externally located and after-hours accessible toilets. But shire staff have advised that a solution is currently being strategized.
And with both projects going on at once, there might come a time during the construction when there’s no dedicated place to ride or skate at all.
“But it’ll all be worth it,” Teyen said. “I think this will be really good for everyone once it’s here.”
