Boo Park mountain bike trails a step closer

The construction of new mountain bike trails in Booyeembara Park has moved a step closer after Fremantle Council selected its preferred tenderer for the project.

The City of Fremantle has been pursuing the trails concept since 2018 after being approached by a group of local mountain bike enthusiasts.

The project received a major boost earlier this year when Lotterywest provided an $800,000 grant, adding 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.

Last night the council selected Perth-based company Landscape Australia Construction as the preferred tenderer to build the trails and authorised the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate the scope of works and enter into a contract to deliver the project.

Subject to acceptance of the tender, construction is scheduled to commence in October and be completed by early next year.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the mountain bike trails will be a valuable addition to the eastern end of Boo Park.

“Over many years now the City of Fremantle has been progressively working with the Friends of Booyeembara Park and the local community to transform the area from a contaminated wasteland into the green oasis we have today,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“The project will see the construction of two mountain bike trails, along with a pump track, landscaping, viewing areas and new parking.

“The trails will be built along the undeveloped eastern edge of the park, and will make an important contribution to the rehabilitation and revegetation of that area.

“The council was impressed by Landscape Australia’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, including the use of recycled construction and landscaping materials.

“By formalising the informal trails that already exist in Boo Park, this project will make it better and safer for riders and also provide increased habitat, forage and tree canopy cover for local wildlife.”

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.