New pump track ramps up Melville cycle fun

A hand-crafted pump track for off-road cyclists will be unveiled at Melville’s Wheelz In The Park event this Sunday (18 March).

The event, to be held at Melville Park from 10am, will see Mayor Julie Hardaker formally open the new track, which will be sited near three existing park facilities– the skateboarding bowl, covered skate rink and basketball half-court.

The track has been designed by a Hamilton member of the ABD cycle team, who will give demonstrations of their skills at the opening event. Pump tracks are designed to maximise the use of gravity and the rider’s movement during the rider’s circuit, meaning they do not need to pedal to make their way over the undulations and round the course’s bends.

Acting Parks and Gardens Manager Sally Sheedy said the Melville pump track had been made possible by the donation of 245 cubic metres of soil from local firms Fluhler Contracting and Gremara Contractors.

“These two companies have generously donated the raw material for the pump track, and more than a dozen young people from across the city have done the final shaping of the track by hand,” Miss Sheedy says.

“With the existing skateboarding and BMX bowl, Melville Park is already a popular focal point for BMX riders in our community. The pump track will give them another option to enjoy their sport.”

The Wheelz In The Park event includes a skate session under the covered rink, a sausage sizzle, a Boom skateboard riders’ showcase in the skate bowl, and a basketball demonstration on the park’s half-court.