Forsyth Park Neutral Bay, Georges Heights Mosman BMX tracks spark mixed opinions on the north shore

A new BMX track has been carved up by youngsters at a popular north shore park in what the bikers say has helped them keep active during lockdown. But some residents and strata managers want it gone:

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The north shore’s BMX bandits have struck again – turning sections of another popular green space into a bike circuit, much to the ire of some nearby homeowners.

A makeshift cycling track featuring jumps and other obstacles to navigate are among the creations a group of young cyclists have been busy building at Forsyth Park in Neutral Bay to help keep them active and occupied during Sydney’s prolonged lockdown.

The set up is located at the southern section of the North Sydney Council owned and managed site and is understood to have been built in the last fortnight.

A photo of the site.

The tracks run through the park.

But not everyone is on board with the build, with members of the body corporate at an adjoining unit block – who have asked not to be named – petitioning for the council to have it removed.

“They’ve removed vegetation and dug plants and built a ramp on storage tanks on Sydney Water property,” the chairman of the body corporate said.

A photo of the track.

The set up includes ramps.

“There’s a shortage of green space in North Sydney and we should be protecting our parks, not tearing them up.

“We’ve contacted council, the police and we haven’t had anything back or had anything done about it.

“We’re concerned about erosion, safety and also the visual appeal of the park. There are much more appropriate locations.”

The track is located at Forsyth Park.

The appearance of the track comes weeks after the Harbour Trust announced a crackdown on a similar unauthorised BMX set up built by youngsters at Mosman’s Rawson Park – prompting a petition signed by than 700 people calling for it to be saved.

In a letter to North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson, one of the Neutral Bay BMX riders pleaded for the Forsyth Park track to stay.

“I got back into BMX riding after seeing the Olympic Games in Tokyo and ever since then I wanted to compete in the 2032 freestyle BMX,” the rider wrote.

A photo of the site.

“This is the only place I have to exercise during lockdown. Please can you ask the council to keep the ramp?

“We will take as much care as possible”.

Cr Gibson has thrown her support behind the track, saying it’s helped the region’s youngest residents keep active and socialised during lockdown.

“I’ve been down there and it’s been built by kids who are 9-10 years of age – they create designs, build ramps, demolish them and then build another one – it’s good stuff for kids,” she said.

The track at the park has kept kids occupied.

“We have really limited facilities for kids in that age group – they’re too old for playgrounds and riding their BMX bikes is a really special thing for them.

“If you think about the use of our parks, we allow community gardens which is fabulous, organised sporting activities which are great, space for dog walkers which is fabulous too – why can’t we also support our BMX riders?”

Members of the body corporate said they were not opposed to BMX tracks per se, but believed it should be built in an appropriate location.

“The kids do need things like this but what the council should have done years ago is find a suitable place,” he said.

“I feel for kids in lockdown, but you can’t go around doing damage to public spaces.”

MEANWHILE IN MOSMAN...

A bike track built by teenagers on the lower north shore is at the centre of a stoush between BMX riders, their parents and the Sydney Harbour Trust with more than 700 people backing a petition for it to be saved.

A makeshift bike circuit built by dozens of youngsters at Georges Heights has been earmarked for removal – prompting the campaign signed by 750 people and counting in the space of just seven days.

The track is located near Rawson Park and includes a metre wide track skirting through the bushland.

A photo of some of the bike riders who use the tracks.

But while the track features plenty of jumps and obstacles to circumvent, the kids involved in the build failed to jump the red tape hurdle of applying for approval from the Harbour Trust and the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, which owns and manages the site.

Tim Foote, whose four children were among those who regularly use the circuit, said the track had been built on an existing pathway and had encouraged the region’s youngest residents to keep active.

“In the past few months there’s been a to-and-fro where the rangers have come down and levelled off sections of the track, then the kids rebuilt it and the rangers come back again and knock it over,” he said.

“It’s not a massive track so we can’t see why it has to be removed – hundreds of kids hours were put into building it.

The track is located at Georges Heights

“So many kids use it and it’s a great way for them to engage in nature and it’s safe because it’s not near a main road or cars. It’s just a great, healthy social activity.

“Particularly during Covid it helps keep kids active and engaged,” she said.

In a statement, Harbour Trust chair Joseph Carrozzi said the tracks have had an impact on the environment with “some vegetation being removed and additional tracks being created”.

“The Harbour Trust is aware that some cyclists are going out of their way to turn informal walking paths into mountain bike tracks in the Georges Heights area,” he said.

“Both the Harbour Trust and the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service have undertaken work to repair the damage.

Mosman resident Tim Foote is hoping it can be saved.

Harbour Trust Chair Joseph Carrozzi said the track was a safety hazard.

“While the building of more bike tracks in the Mosman area is not without merit, this is a decision that must be taken in collaboration with Mosman Council and the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service.”

The Harbour Trust also banned two teenagers – aged 14 and 15 – from the area after police were called to the park on July 25 in relation to potential breaches of Covid regulations on group gatherings.

Mr Carrozzi said the track was also a safety issue for the many families, young children and the elderly who use local parklands.

“Our concern with a pop up mountain bike tracks is that they may injure those who use them or may create risks for others who need safe walking spaces for their wellbeing. Rangers may move users on if their use of the tracks is creating a safety issue.”

Other residents who’ve signed the petition said the track had encouraged many kids to ditch the iPad and TV in favour of spending time in the great outdoors.

Carolyn Mackley wrote: “This track has given our son hours of entertainment, helped develop his confidence and encouraged him to stay active instead of playing video games.”

“We need safe places for our kids to play in nature and have a place to ride bikes and be kids without worrying about traffic and other dangers,” Jill Butler added.

BMX riders have also added their voice to their campaign with one youngster writing: “It’s one of the only places Mum will let me cycle on my own because she worries about all the cars.”

“Adults are always telling us to go outside and play. I like playing here,” he added.

Mosman councillor Simon Menzies is hoping a simple solution can be found.

“The track has been there for a while so I’m not sure why there’s a sudden need to have it removed,” he said.

“In theory I support it and there should be a resolution where if it is unauthorised, then making it legal.”

The Harbour Trust said it was continuing to “assess the situation” and working with its adjoining land owners and the community.”

The petition was originally directed at Mosman Council and Mayor Carolyn Corrigan, but the council confirmed the case was a matter for the Harbour Trust.