#modularpumptrack

A portable pump track shared between four schools in West Auckland is helping children enjoy school time more, and gives their schools a valuable shared recreational resource. Don Buck Primary School board member and parent Olga Mills first noticed a ParkLife modular pumptrack for bikes, scooters and skateboards at the Henderson Massey Local Board Offices, and saw how popular it was.

“It has been really interesting seeing the track’s value in engaging kids who may not really be that keen to be at school - if they like coming to ride on the track, then the whole school experience is more positive, and that is a good thing.”

She started to wonder what could be done to offer more to children in the neighbouring Massey suburb, where that type of recreational facility was thinner on the ground. “It got me thinking about what we might be able to do for children in our area, and why not try to get one of these tracks for them to use?” But Olga was conscious that there is always a risk that providing such an asset for kids to use could also result in them getting bored with it, and after a few months it languishes unused and wasted. “Having that ‘novelty’ factor is quite important for kids these days, and it’s also a question a potential funder has to ask – ‘will this facility get a good level of constant use over its lifetime’?” The Don Buck Primary School board agreed the idea to seek funding for a modular pumptrack was a good one, and that the idea of sharing a funded track among the four local schools would be a way to maximise its reach across the community. Rotating it around schools would also help retain a level of novelty to keep kids coming back to ride on it frequently. “We ended up getting all four local schools on board, Don Buck, Birdwood, Lincoln Heights and Massey Primary.” Getting in touch with track suppliers ParkLife and working with director Sally Farmer, they decided to opt for the easily erected intermediate rhythm straight pumptrack. Its 29m length it was relatively quick to assemble, good for all children to ride on, and easily transported between the schools.

Olga approached Transpower as a funder, and was pleasantly surprised after following the application process when the electricity distributor provided 100% funding for the track. “Transpower, via their Community Care Fund assist communities where their assets (pylons, lines and substations) are based by investing and supporting community based projects.  The track is appealing because of its ability to be moved between schools and from a funder’s perspective it will serve many children across the community.” The track was funded, sourced and erected in time for the first term 2019 kicking off at Don Buck Primary School, and Olga admits some trepidation when school opened for Term 1. “The track requires some concentration to ride upon, and you do have to put some energy into riding on it. Initially I was concerned that not as many children as expected were using it.  

Track brings big city facility to Thames coast community.

When Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) took possession of three tennis courts at Te Puru on the Thames Coast, the challenge was how to make best use of an asset, keeping it used and of on-going interest to the locals.

The most affordable option was to resurface two of the courts, but it left the third court area in poor condition and something of a redundant space, but one the local kids were keen to see filled.

“In Thames the kids have a skate park facility, and the children up the coast were keen to see something similar that meant they could enjoy a track, either on skateboards, bikes or scooters,” says Ross Ashby, project manager for TCDC.

With no other facilities like it up the coast the council wanted to bring in a track that was affordable and easily installed on the old court’s footprint.

“When we saw the ParkLife Speed RingTrack we jumped at it. What we liked about it from the start was that it was within budget, it was movable and it had a very flexible, modular design.”

Councils face significant cost and consent hurdles when building permanent structures including skate parks. A large part of the cost relates to the concrete and permanent materials required in such designs.

“You could typically be looking at a cost about twice what the Speed Ring Track is, and of course there is the time involved in planning, design and consenting (if required).”

At a cost of around $1100 a linear metre, the tracks can fit comfortably within most councils’ recreational facility budgets. The ParkLife Speed Ring the council opted for consists of 36 linear metres suitable for users on all types of pedal and foot driven cycles and skateboards. The European design has a strong focus on durability and flexibility. 

Its reinforced non-slip surface is rain proof, while the components are made of stainless steel and zinc anodised ensuring long life in coastal environments like Te Puru. The Speed Ring design offers an ideal introductory step for a community wanting a facility, given its ability to have additional modules clipped in to create new configurations. “The beauty of the design is also that we can trial the tracks in different locations,” says Ross. With a summer of heavy use behind it, the Speed Ring has come through with flying colours, getting the thumbs up from council and its young users alike. “We found about 90% of the kids using it were on scooters, but the track handles mountain bikes well too. It seems scooters are very much the first choice for wheels at the moment.” He said the most positive response he had was from a young boy who lived next to the track, and declared he would be on it “every single day” over summer.

Early 2018, ParkLife set up the very first demonstration Modular Pumptrack in New Zealand on Panuku Development Limited site at 6 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson, Auckland.  The intent was to transform this former carpark that served the adjacent Council building and offices into a place for the community to have fun, gather and socialise.

Panuku Development Limited recognised that the track would fit their intentions for the space and complement the EcoMatters biking initiative set up on the site.  An onsite kitchen, gardens and seating rounded out the experience. Panuku also used the track to draw people in and engage regarding learn to ride, consultation on cycling and walking and skills info.

The type of track - ‘World Cup’ - provides a 65m rideable loop with perfectly engineered berms and rollers.

Feedback acknowledged this...

‘The track was so smooth and all the berms and rollers  were perfect! The grip level in the berms is impressive, i’ll be back.’ Troy Brosnan

‘It was awesome, so smooth, really well constructed, an awesome training tool, you have to try it to understand how good it is!’ Chad Higgins

With little promotion, the track became a drawcard through word of mouth and social media.  

With such a response, Panuku Development Limited purchased the track with the intention of moving it to different sites around the city.

Moving the track takes one day to dismantle, transport and set up.  ParkLife provides this service and carried out the first move for Panuku from Henderson to the Eastern Viaduct Wharf.  

The Eastern Viaduct Wharf is a supreme location offering yoga, food trucks, views of super yachts, the harbour and sky tower.  The track was in good company and for a few months offered fun rides for people passing through and riders travelling from afar.  Auckland Transport reported an increase in commuters using their bikes as result of the track.  What beats a few laps of the track at lunch time?

Next move was to nearby Silo Park.  Silo Park is an innovative waterfront park and the track fits the intent of the place to provide unique experiences.   The journey is not over.  The track will continue to pop up in communities and spark fun for locals with hardcore fans travelling to ride.

The Panuku Development Limited track is a great example of a track that is relocated to serve many communities.  For examples of tracks set up permantly, see the EastxEast Pumptrack in Christchurch.

Youngsters on whizzing wheels have given Christchurch's newest bike track a resounding double thumbs up.

After months of planning, a new track on the corner of New Brighton Rd and Brooker Ave, in the city's earthquake-hit Burwood suburb, was opened on Saturday.

Despite the gloomy weather, a stream of delighted young cyclists and scooter riders quickly took to the track to show off their tricks.

7-year-old scooter fan Zac Ross getting some air.

Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods, who officially opened the pump track, praised the project as a great way of "getting the red zone pumping" and bringing people back into the area.

"Over the last seven years the creativity of people here in Christchurch has really come to the fore ...

12-year-old Santiago Montejo carving up.

"We're standing in places that were once people's homes, people's backyards, where people did play and enjoy their lives and we now have an opportunity to make that into a new space where people can play and enjoy."

The track had been available for use for some time before the official opening ceremony and Gregg said on any given day at around 3pm, the track was swamped with children enjoying showing off their skills.

Christchurch city councillor Glenn Livingstone said the park was "fabulous for the children".

Overcast skies and drizzle did not dampen interest in the opening of the Burwood pump track on Saturday.

"A few of us older kids have had a go and been reminded we're not quite 14 anymore."

Spokesman for Parklife, who designed the pump track, Cameron Rennie, said there were similar parks around the country including a much larger version in Auckland. The modular design, which was formed by connecting a series of pieces, originated in Europe and allowed the track to easily be extended if needed.

Life in Vacant Spaces trust director Jane Gregg said the track was the first transitional project on the site.

The trust temporarily took over management of the site from Land Information New Zealand (Linz) last year, and Gregg said they wanted to transform the land from a "visual barrier" into a more usable, accessible space.

The trust finds short-term uses for privately-owned property, including involvement in Crate Escape, Imagination Station and the Green Lab. The Burwood site, which was free to use, would likely focus on recreation, health and wellbeing, nature and conservation, and art, but the organisation was open to all suggestions, Gregg said.

Suggestions for community projects to be housed on the grassy plot of land opened last September. Cantabrians were encouraged to help connect the east and west sides of the city with out-of-the-box ideas for 90,000 square metres of land, next to the Brooker Reserve.

DAVID WALKER/STUFF