COUNCIL PUMP TRACK SOLVING COMMUNITY CONCERNS
19 Mar 2020
City of Burnside, SA, is taking progressive steps to help solve the lack of playspaces that offer local kids the opportunity to skate, scoot and bike with a 12 month ‘pump track trial’, courtesy of Parkitect’s state-of-the-art modular pumptrack. How are the kids responding?
Photo courtesy of Gabrielle Waters
Going back 20 years, playgrounds were within walking distance from home and encouraged the development of critical social skills and relationship building across age groups and cultures. Back then, being active and playing outside with others was great fun!
So why are local communities now concerned for their kids?
In the case of City of Burnside, with the help of a skatepark lobby group, they realised local kids were missing a modern outdoor riding playspace where they could be active and have fun on their bikes, scooters and skateboards – rather than playing on a computer or handheld device. Kids and families in the area needed a drawcard riding activity that would be easily accessible before and after school, and on weekends. 
Photo courtesy of Gabrielle Waters
With a great deal of consultation and discussion, City of Burnside decided the best way forward was to purchase a Parkitect Plywood Composite Modular Pumptrack and trial the ‘all-wheels’ riding concept. Four different park locations within the council area have been chosen and the track will move between these parks to record the results, which will assist in deciding on a permanent solution.
The 1m-wide, 900mm-high Parkitect pumptrack with pre-engineered and certified geometry creates a perfect riding track that encourages all ages and abilities to ride in one direction – improving safety and engagement across ages and riding disciplines. 
Why is a modern riding facility important for local communities?
“The increasingly sedentary lives of children have been linked to a rise in childhood obesity (one in four children in Australia are overweight or obese) and behavioural problems. The lack of independent and unstructured outdoor play has also been linked to a decline in children’s sense of control, increased anxiety and depression.” – Natalia Krysiak 
Natalia Krysiak is a practising architect in Hayball’s Sydney studio and has been involved in advocating for child-friendly cities since graduating from Monash University in Melbourne. In 2017, Natalia was awarded the David Lindner Research Prize by the NSW Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects for her article Making Space for Play.
“We need to redefine the idea of a 'playground' to include and prioritise play opportunities for children of all areas, seamlessly integrated into unexpected places,” Natalia explains in her article. “As our urban landscape continues to densify, we should develop and test meaningful strategies that consider the wellbeing of children and their families.” 
Photo courtesy of Gabrielle Waters
In just the last year or two, many other council’s like Horsham Rural City Council, Coolamon Shire Council, Bland Shire Council, City of Ballarat, Wudinna District Council and Townsville City Council have successfully delivered the on-trend Modular Pumptrack riding facility to their communities with enormous success!
The $60,000 Modular Pumptrack that has been installed in the City of Burnside has already proven very popular with over 24,000 laps being recorded in just three weeks! Alongside Council, Parkitect is excited to see how the results will develop between the four parks over the course of the 12-month trial. 
For more information, visit Parkitect’s website via the link below.
