Seaforth Oval: New plan for mountain bike jump park

Sydney mountain bikers may get another advanced bike jump park venue where they can shred, dab, drop and whip to their heart’s content.

A proposed new bike jump park at Seaforth could join the Bare Creek Bike Park (pictured) in Belrose, as a new venue for advanced and intermediate level mountain bikers. Picture: Wesley Lonergan

Mountain bikers on the northern beaches could have another venue where they can shred, dab, drop and whip to their heart’s content.

A proposal for a new bike jump park — for advanced and intermediate riders — is part of a draft plan of management (PoM) for Seaforth Oval Reserve drawn up by Northern Beaches Council.

It would be located on Crown land on the southeast side of the oval, just off Wakehurst Parkway.

The council will vote at its Tuesday meeting to put the PoM, which would also allow improved sport and recreation opportunities and facilities at the oval and incorporate additional Crown land into the reserve, out for public feedback.

If it gets the go-ahead, the bike park would join the council’s Bare Creek Bike Park, Belrose, The Grove Bike Park and pump track, Seaforth, the BMX track at JJ Melbourne Hills Reserve, Terrey Hills and the Wyatt Ave Bike Park, for beginners and intermediate riders, at Belrose.

The location, in red, of the proposed bike park at Seaforth Oval. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

When the council sought ideas for the draft PoM in mid-2023, feedback among the more than 500 responses indicated support for the bike park.

“Following consultation with riders, a need was identified for an intermediate to advanced level bike park in the southern area of the northern beaches,” according to a council community and stakeholder engagement report to be tabled at Tuesday’s meeting.

The Bare Creek Bike Park, Belrose, has proved popular with riders. Picture: Supplied.

“A subsequent review of potential locations identified Seaforth Oval as a suitable

location.

“There was general support for the proposed bike park primarily related to addressing a gap in

intermediate to advanced skill level facilities when compared to existing bike parks on the

northern beaches, as well as providing a safe place to ride.”

It would also create “social, physical and community benefits,” the report stated.

But a number of respondents did not support the bike park amid concerns about possible anti-social behaviour and loss of parking space at the popular oval used for football and cricket.

There are concerns that a bike park would put too much pressure on parking at Seaforth Oval. Picture: Virginia Young

Feedback included concerns that nearby homes would be affected buy noise and that it would by subjected to graffiti and vandalism

Riders suggested ideas for the park including having several entry and exit points, design features such as “tabletops, jumps and berms, wooden lips and pro-lines”, a warm-up area, a bike maintenance station, a bike wash and storage for maintenance equipment.

Cyclists at Bare Creek Bike Park, Belrose. Riders would be asked for their input into the new Seaforth park’s design and to help keep it maintained. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

If the PoM is approved, a working group made up of riders and riding club representatives would assist the council with the park’s design.

A volunteer program would also be set up to assist with the park’s maintenance.

The bike park would be funded by contributions collected from developers.

Separate from the bike facility, locals also requested improvements to the sportsground as well as the existing basketball court, playground and community centre.

Originally published as Seaforth Oval: New plan for mountain bike jump park