Junior riders to make tracks to new mountain-bike park at Walkabout Creek

Work has started on a mountain-bike track for junior riders at Walkabout Creek Visitor Centre at The Gap. 

National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles today turned the first sod on the mountain-bike track where riders aged nine to 14 years will be able to gain valuable training and experience when it opens in late June 2015. 

Dr Miles said the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service had contracted nationally renowned Queensland company Trailworx to design and construct the junior mountain-bike riders’ skills park, with a team that included international competitors, mountain-bike trainers and specialist landscape architects.

“Once completed, this park will be the only facility in Brisbane that presents so many opportunities to practice skills in one area,” Dr Miles said.

“It will also provide young people with the skills to explore designated tracks throughout D’Aguilar National Park.” 

The purpose-built track will incorporate a variety of grades, surfaces, geometries, bumps and mini jumps to cater for differing ages and skill levels. The site will also include a pump track, skills bowl and flow track, and will allow trainers to monitor riders. 

Member for Ashgrove Kate Jones said the addition of the skills park was part of a Concept Master Plan for Walkabout Creek which aimed to improve visitor and recreation facilities. 

“Visitors already enjoy coming to the centre for wildlife viewing, education programs, outdoor recreation and events,” Ms Jones said. 

“The new canoe launch site and swimming area at Enoggera Reservoir are proving very popular with the local community and are helping to boost visitation to the Frog Tree Café and wildlife displays at the Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre. 

“The new mountain-biking park will provide another opportunity to encourage young people to get outdoors and active,” she said. 

“The training track will be valuable in supporting growing community involvement in mountain-biking, and initiatives such as The Gap State High School’s mountain-bike program.”

Dr Miles said mountain-biking was a great way to explore D’Aguilar National Park, the biggest park of any Australian capital city. 

“Mountain-biking is an activity for the whole family, and we know that well-planned and well-maintained trails and facilities for this sport provide significant benefits to communities,” Dr Miles said. 

For more information on D’Aguilar National Park and the Concept Master Plan for Walkabout Creek visit www.npsr.qld.gov.au

ENDS 

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