Lotterywest gives big boost to Boo Park mountain bike trails

The City of Fremantle’s plan to construct mountain bike trails in Booyeembara Park is now fully funded thanks to an $800,000 grant from Lotterywest.

The project will see two mountain bike trails built on the eastern edge of the park, along with a pump track, landscaping, viewing areas and new parking.

The Lotterywest grant adds to the $300,000 already allocated to the project by the City of Fremantle, and a $300,000 contribution from the state government via local member Simone McGurk.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the additional funding from Lotterywest meant the entire project could be completed in one go, rather than in stages.

“For a few years now, the City has been working on this project in consultation with local mountain bike enthusiasts and the Booyeembara Park Reference Group,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“We already have unsanctioned, informal mountain bike trails in this section of the park. The idea was to formalise those trails to make them better and safer for riders and the environment, as well as provide additional facilities to make the trails another great attraction for Fremantle.

“A big part of the success of our Lotterywest submission was the community drive and involvement to get this project up and running, so a big thank you to everyone who participated and contributed.

“This is a great outcome and we’re really excited about being able to deliver all aspects of this project.”

Fremantle Mountain Bike Collective spokesperson Sam Wilkinson said they were super excited by the commitment to build the trails in Fremantle.

“We will now have the opportunity to develop our skills and enjoy riding 12 months of the year without having to drive for an hour out to the hills,” Mr Wilkinson said.

“This will deliver on the local mountain biking community’s vision for a local facility that can be enjoyed by families and novices right through to advanced riders that adds value and amenity to our beautiful Booyeembara Park.”

Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk said Boo Park was the jewel-in-the-crown of Fremantle’s public open spaces.

“I was happy to make a 2021 election commitment of $300,000 towards this fantastic scheme,” Ms McGurk said.

“The new trails will improve safety, better protect the landscape, draw visitors to Freo and bolster the Boo Park experience for local families”.

The Booyeembara Park mountain bike trails will feature two downhill trails about 500m long, plus an access trail to get back up the hill.

The blue trail will be of moderate difficulty, with a plan to provide extra variety by splitting it into three separate lines with different obstacles halfway down before joining up again before the finish.

The Black trail will be for advanced riders, with larger and more challenging jumps and obstacles.

Both will be designed as ‘flow’ trails, which will enable riders to develop a rhythm, or flow, by maintaining momentum through sweeping turns, jumps and rolling terrain with minimal pedalling or braking.

Flow trails can be designed to be used by riders of different abilities, with beginners and less-skilled riders able to travel at slower speeds and roll over or bypass features and obstacles, and more advanced riders able to travel at higher speeds and ride over or jump features and obstacles.

A pump track is like a skate park for mountain bikes, where riders can practice and refine their bike handling skills.

The landscaping will include shelters, seating, bike parking, trees and shrubs, as well as integration with the adjacent six seasons garden, while lookout nodes will provide views at key sections of the trails.

Additional parking will be provided along Stevens Street to service both the mountain bike trails and Sullivan Hall across the road. Toilets and barbecue facilities are available at Sullivan Hall.