Kids of all ages can enjoy time outdoors this school holidays at the City of Sydney’s new award-winning bike track at Sydney Park.
In addition to hills, bridges and tunnels, the track is home to a bike pump and play refuelling station and shop. Nearby barbecue facilities and picnic areas encourage families to extend their visit to the park.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, said the popular spot is a great place for kids to expand their riding skills in an adventurous and playful way.
“We have created a fun, engaging and beautiful space for kids to master their riding skills. This track caters for learners just coming off their training wheels and more confident riders ready for a challenge,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Sydney Park is dearly loved by inner-city families and it’s wonderful to see our superb community spaces recognised by design experts.”
The award-winning bike track was commissioned by the City and created with Turf Design Studio + Environmental Partnership.
The bike track won the landscape design award category, which celebrates creativity and innovation in the use of practical, aesthetic, horticultural and environmentally sustainable components.
Entries to the awards programs are considered by a jury of design experts. A virtual awards ceremony will be held on 20 October when the Lord Mayor will officially accept the award.
Scott Ibbotson, Project Director at Turf Design, said that the City of Sydney wholeheartedly sought the public’s opinion, and through community consultation gauged the essential requirements and desires of the community.
“This adventure-style bike track moves away from the conventional bike track layout and shifts the focus towards play and learning to ride,” he shared.
“We’re thrilled that the bike track has become a much-loved asset for the community, and promotes bike riding as a playful, health and sociable experience.”
The Sydney Park children’s bike track is positioned next to the Sydney Park Cycling Centre and a shaded learn-to-ride area where kids take part in clinics and courses.
The bike track also sits alongside an exciting new skate park due to open later this year. The new space features a skate plaza, beginner bowl and large flow bowl for skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes.
Once a brickmaking site and then a rubbish dump, today Sydney Park is made up of 40 hectares of grassy slopes, landscaped gardens, rolling hills with fantastic views of Sydney and picturesque wetlands.
Five kilometres of shared paths around the park can be explored on wheels. Sydney Park is also home to a children’s playground and Sydney City Farm.
The City worked in collaboration with Turf Design Studio + Environmental Partnership, Alluvium, Fiona Robbé, Sydney Civil, Hargraves Urban and Aileen Sage Architects on the project.
The bike track was also highly commended in the 2016 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards.
