Northern beaches: New mountain bike jump park in Manly Vale could help stop illegal sites

A new bike park with a jump facility, loop trail for kids, gravity rollers and a fundamental skills zone is being proposed in an area which has seen many illegal jumps built. Could this be the solution?

Jadon Wilson, 20, who has been working with Dirt Art on the new bike park track at Belrose. The wooden structure is one similar to that proposed at Manly Vale. Picture: Trail Care/Matthew Ward.

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A concept plan has been created for a bike jump park in Manly Vale.

Matt Ward, 39, of Queenscliff, is behind the voluntary group Trail Care, which provides strategic advice and support in relation to mountain biking.

He said the organisation has created an unsolicited proposal for a site in Manly Vale on contaminated land owned by the council, between the lagoon and the back of the industrial estate.

He said it is about 100m across and is big enough for a local site.

The concept plan includes a jump facility, loop trail, gravity rollers and a fundamental skills zone.

A concept plan for a new bike park trail for Manly Vale. Picture: Supplied.

The jump facility proposal has three lines, one for beginners, intermediate and advanced, and includes jumps, wallrides and whale tails.

While the loop trail has been designed with children in mind.

The gravity rollers will also give new riders support in making the first step between riding on flat ground and riding on jumps.

The proposed Manly Vale mountain bike trail and jump park is an overgrown section of land currently fenced off behind the Manly Vale industrial estate. Picture: Supplied.

The skills zone in the concept plan includes a rock garden, stairs and bridges.

Mr Ward and James Hall came up with the plan. They were also involved in the design of the new Bare Creek Park in Belrose, which is due to open shortly.

The northern beaches bike riding community is hailing the Belrose park, the best in Australia.

The Manly Vale plan has been submitted to the council for consideration.

It is currently drawing up a northern beaches mountain bike strategy. A report is due next month.

Local volunteers being trained by Dirt Art in trail maintenance activities at Belrose's new Bare Creek Park track. Picture: Trail Care/ Matthew Ward.

Local sites like the proposed one at Manly Vale are still needed, as well as the Bare Creek Park according to Mr Ward, who said this small one behind an industrial estate would have a minimal impact on residents.

“There is a need in this part of the northern beaches,” Mr Ward said.

“Illegal sites have been popping up around here for years.

“The key is to build a good site that is better than anything that can be built in the bush with a shovel.”

He said on the northern beaches there is a ‘build and ride’ culture in mountain biking.

“This needs to transition to a situation where riders can rely on land managers to deliver public facilities that meet user group needs,” Mr Ward said

A concept plan for a new bike trail park in Manly Vale, near the lagoon and the industrial estate. Picture: Trail Care.

“This will result in better outcomes for riders, communities and most importantly the environment.”

The issue of illegal trail parks and jump sites was highlighted by the Manly Daily this week.

Up to a hectare of bushland has been dug up to create trails and jumps in Seaforth, which the council has now fenced off.

It is next to an official bike park.

Residents reported hearing power tools being used in the bushland and it has been suggested diggers may have been used to clear some of the bush.

Mr Ward said he did not believe heavy machinery had been used in the construction of the unofficial site and the problem was that the official council bike park site next door was poorly built and had been neglected by the council.

Illegal BMX bike jumps and trails have been created at Seaforth. Picture: Supplied.

He said there were tens of thousands of mountain bike riders on the northern beaches with most using illegal sites.

He said the sport appealed to a wide demographic from kids aged 11 to those in their late 50s.

“Around 90 per cent of riding is on illegally constructed trails,” he said.

“It’s a little frustrating for local riders.

“We need the local and state government to come together to provide solutions so that riders feel they don’t need to go out and build their own stuff.”

Northern Beaches Council said it was consulting with residents and bike users about what to do next and a report is due shortly.

CEO Ray Brownlee said there needs to be a balance between supporting mountain bike riders across the northern beaches and protecting important bushland.

“In this area we have an authorised track for mountain bike use,” he said.

“Unauthorised trail building and destruction of bushland outside this area is a concern for council and our local community nearby residents.”