Work has started on a £50,000 cycle track in Windermere by the contractors who created the BMX track for the London Olympics.
The pump track project – designed to appeal to cyclists of all ages – follows hot on the heels of the recent refurbishment of South Lakeland District Council’s playground at Queen’s Park.
The new-look play area reopened last month after an £120,000 overhaul and was stage one of the authority’s project to revitalise the park, known locally as the Rec.
It was made possible thanks to years of fundraising by the Windermere Park For All community group and council officers, which resulted in donations from the authority, the National Lottery Community Fund; Windermere and Bowness Town Council; Cumbria County Council; Windermere, Ambleside and District Round Table; district councillors; the Frieda Scott Charitable Trust; Impact Housing; the Hadfield Trust; South Lakes Housing; the Bryan Lancaster Trust; Gateway Group; Lakeland; the Lake District Communities Fund; and local fundraising activities.
Polly Straker, SLDC Locality Officer, said: “Hopefully the pump track will take around three to four weeks to complete. This has been achieved by the hard work of Windermere Park For All community group. It’s been great working with such a dedicated and enthusiastic group on the project.
“We received a British Cycling award from their Places to Ride capital grants programme for £25,000 and £20,000 from Sam’s Fund (English Lakes Hotels), £3,000 from the Dulverton Trust and £2,000 from the Holehird Trust to reach the goal of £50,000.
“The track will be suitable for all levels of ability and all ages. We are hoping to have an opening event where the team from Clark & Kent, who are installing the track, will demo their skills and give advice.”
The undulating circuit of rollers, hills and camel humps has been designed to appeal to riders of any age and ability, not just teens on BMXs, as cyclists ‘pump’ their bikes along using up-and-down body movements rather than pedalling or pushing.
Local mum Amy Thompson, publicity officer for Windermere Park For All, said: “The new pump track will be a great addition to the park, providing a dedicated space for families and local people of all ages and abilities to have fun, spend time together and enjoy riding a bike.”
Andy Farr, head of business planning and transformation at British Cycling, said: “Windermere Parks for All and SLDC are doing great work to get more people cycling in Windermere so we are pleased to support their efforts to bring the community together on the new pump track at Queen’s Park through Places to Ride.”
Once the pump track is complete, Windermere Park For All plans to embark on another round of fundraising for phase three – revamping the skate park at Queen’s Park.
If anyone would like to donate or help with future fundraising, please contact Amy Thompson via the group’s website www.windermereparkforall.co.uk or visit the Facebook page Windermere Park For All.
