Pump track recreational craze coming to Wagga Wagga

Pump tracks are one of the fasting growing recreational spaces across the country, and now one is coming to Wagga.

Work on the City’s first pump track started on site at Tolland’s Emblen Park this week.

The unique design of a pump track makes them suitable for bicycle or scooter riders, skateboarders and rollerbladers.

“Pump tracks are popping up across the country and are another great recreational facility for kids, and even adults, of all ages and abilities to enjoy,” Strategic Asset Planner (Parks and Recreation) Ben Creighton said.

“The pump track design features regular banked ramps and smooth curved corners. The design means riders only need to give a quick ‘pump’ of the bike pedal to propel their way around the course.”

Earlier in the year, Council, joined by representatives from the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) and Wagga Wagga Police, held a workshop with the Tolland community about the pump track.

The workshop was to receive community feedback on the location of the pump track in Emblen Park and answer residents’ questions about the facility.

Wagga Wagga Local Area Command Inspector Peter Robertson said the police welcomed the construction of the new pump track in Tolland.

“There is a good likelihood that providing recreational facilities for our youth could lead to crime reduction,” Inspector Robertson said.

“We have no evidence that similar youth recreation facilities in the Wagga area including skate parks have attracted complaints, nor have they provided avenues for crime.”

The pump track has been funded by a $50,000 grant through the FACS Social Housing Community Improvement Fund (SHCIF) and a $30,000 contribution from Wagga Wagga City Council.

SHCIF provides one-off grants of up to $50,000 to local councils, non-government organisations and private sector organisations to construct new capital works or repair existing facilities on or near social housing communities.

“We are pleased to be able to work together with Wagga Wagga City Council and Wagga Police to deliver this new facility which will benefit Wagga residents and will help build a stronger community,” FACS Deputy Secretary Paul Vevers said.

Wagga’s pump track will feature a continuous figure-eight course with track running through the middle. The course will be made from compacted earth and feature an asphalt surface.

The track site will also feature a landscaped rock fence, picnic settings and four solar-powered motion detection lights.

In addition to the pump track, Council also recently completed refurbishment works on the existing playground in Emblen Park.

The pump track will be open to the public in October.