We’ve written about the world’s most awesome pumptracks twice before. First, we covered five of the best pumptracks on the globe in South Africa, Switzerland, Austria, the USA, and Singapore. We also highlighted four award-winning pumptracks installed in Austria, Latvia, and New Zealand.
The fact is, we love pumptracks of all kinds -- not just modular pumptracks. They bring people together, they’re easy to learn for people of all skill levels, and they get people active. We are inspired by all the benefits pumptracks bring to a community. Chances are, if you are reading this article, you are too! This is exactly why we decided to create this blog series.
In this edition, we showcase four outstanding community-based pumptracks that opened recently.
1. Port Angeles Pumptrack
Location: Port Angeles, Washington, United States
Track material: Asphalt
Why we love it: Connected to regional bicycle infrastructure, creative bicycle safety promotion
About the Port Angeles pumptrack:
The location, design, and creative safety programs of the Port Angeles pumptrack spotlight how pumptracks become assets to communities.
We love this pumptrack for many reasons:
-
The public 14,442-square-foot track is one of the largest pumptracks in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
-
It is the first public adaptive track in the United States, making it accessible to a wider range of vehicles such as wheelchairs and handcycles.
-
The pumptrack is positioned close to lots of other bicycle infrastructure, including local waterfront trails, the regional Olympic Discovery Trail, an adjacent skatepark, and planned bicycle lanes on local streets.
-
Pumptrack managers are promoting bicycle safety in creative ways. For example, riders observed wearing a helmet and practicing good pumptrack etiquette are often handed gift cards to local ice cream and coffee shops.
-
This pumptrack boosts the visibility of pumptracks. Over 3 million visitors a year come through Port Angeles to go to the adjacent Olympic National Park. Additional visitors come through on their way to Canada. The central positioning of the pumptrack in this tourist hub increases awareness and enjoyment of pumptracks far and wide.
2. PARKITECT Pumptrack at Charters Towers
Location: Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia
Track material: Concrete, modular
Why we love it: Regional residents have been waiting for upgrades to their dirt track. Using funds dedicated to supporting community resilience, user groups collaborated to create both a functional and aesthetically pleasing pumptrack that is a central feature of local park infrastructure.
About the Defiance Mill pumptrack:
We're proud to say the Defiance Mill Park pumptrack is one of ours and provides a much needed upgrade to the park’s bicycle infrastructure. The new track replaced an aging BMX track and is now a highlight of the park, improving safety and reducing maintenance costs.
“The modular design means that it will be safe for skateboard, scooter and pushbike riders to use and will significantly reduce maintenance costs for the council compared to the old BMX track.”
--Mayor Frank Beveridge
The 160-meter-long track is 1.2 meters wide. The installation includes turf, irrigation, seating, footpaths, and solar-powered lights. With ten turns and numerous rollers, the pumptrack is enjoyed by bike, scooter, and skate riders of all abilities.
The pumptrack was installed as part of a plan to improve the livability of Charters Towers. “The addition of this track at Defiance Mill Park makes it a great area for individuals and families to enjoy themselves outdoors,” said Charters Towers Councilor Kate Hastie.
We also love that the pumptrack is part of a regional master plan for additional bicycle infrastructure.
The pumptrack was custom designed in partnership with Urban Play, a landscape architect, using Australian Government funds designed to support the resilience of local communities.
3. Velosolutions BMX Pumptrack in the Desert
Location: Chaparral, New Mexico, United States
Track material: Asphalt
Why we love it: First pumptrack in southern New Mexico, brings community spirit
About the BMX pumptrack in Chaparral:
Welcome to the desert country of southern New Mexico, pumptracks! We love it when people pave the way for pumptracks in new places. The pumptrack in Chaparral, New Mexico, is the first of its kind in the area and is sure to delight new riders for a long time.
The new pumptrack offers people in the community a unique recreational opportunity that is accessible to the unincorporated town’s residents.
“When I grew up here at Chaparral, all we had was horses to ride.” --New Mexico State Rep. Willie Madrid.
The paved track includes extended wooden banks for advanced riders to get up higher on the turns. The oblong shape consists of a range of grades, ramps, banked turns, and rollers, covering 40,000 square feet on an acre of land.
The pumptrack is part of a larger capital project that also converts a single-use baseball field to a multi-use field for other activities, with the goal of providing more healthy activities for children.
Chaparral is growing quickly, and local leaders want to ensure that the youth in their community have plenty of recreational options that are fun, healthy, and active.
Future additions include a bike skills loop, shade structures, and other onsite accessories.
4. Tenino City Park Pumptracks
Location: Tenino, Washington, United States
Track material: Steel frame with fiberglass surface
Why we love it: Three tracks for all skill levels, super easy install, accessible
About the Tenino pumptrack:
Mayer Wayne Fournier wanted to provide world-class recreation opportunities for his community and draw people from around the region to his small town in southwest Washington State.
After visiting a pumptrack in Olympia, Washington, he got excited about installing a pumptrack in Tenino as a way to bring people together and promote healthy, active, outdoor lifestyles.
Working with Peter Tammetta from Highwire playground equipment, Tenino officials decided to install three pumptracks, which complemented the park’s large modern playground and regionally famous rock quarry swimming pool. While they intended to have a beginner, intermediate, and advanced track, they’ve found all the tracks are being used interchangeably by all riders.
The modular, fiberglass pumptracks are super easy to install. The city's parks maintenance staff was able to assemble the modular tracks by themselves.
District representative Peter Abbarno helped secure funding for the pumptracks through state sources and the American Rescue Plan Act.
“All of this takes a good quality partnership, and that’s what this was. To have these parks, which improve the quality of life, tourism, economic development, it’s about partnerships.” --Rep. Peter Abbarno
Fournier has been very happy to see all ages on all types of wheels coming out to ride the pumptracks. He believes parks build community and provide safe places for people to play while bonding and making memories. And another bonus: the popularity of the tracks around the region has led to an increase in local business.
What’s Your Favorite Pumptrack?
Port Angeles, Charters Towers, Chaparral, and Tenino each launched new and amazing pumptracks recently. We can’t wait to learn about more great pumptracks and the benefits they are providing to their communities.
With so many new pumptracks popping up around the world, you are bound to have some favorites yourself. What’s your favorite pumptrack? What makes it special? Reach out and let us know -- it could be featured in a future blog post!
"If I were a bird".... this would be your view of a pumptrack. PARKITECT'S pumptrack at Charters Towers. Credit: Urban Play
Pumptracks can be built anywhere, including this field with untapped potential. Credit: Doña Ana County Government Center
