Seaforth Oval: Council set to vote on plan for new mountain bike jump park

Thrill-seeking Sydney mountain bikers are set to get another advanced bike jump park where they can shred, dab, drop and whip to their heart’s content.

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

Thrill-seeking mountain bikers in Sydney’s north are set to get another venue featuring heart stopping jumps and hair raising turns.

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

If the PoM is adopted, the $434,000 facility will likely be built on Crown land on the southeast side of the oval, subject to further assessment and approval by the council.

But the council has indicted, based on public feedback, there is “strong support” for the bike jump park.

The council is scheduled to vote at its Tuesday meeting on a motion to adopt the PoM, which will allow improved sport and recreation opportunities and facilities at the oval and incorporate more Crown land into the reserve.

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

If built, the bike park will 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.

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.

The proposed bike jump park would attract advanced riders. Picture: Supplied

And in a report to be tabled at the council meeting, staff stated that there was “strong support” for the proposed bike park among the 116 public submissions received when the draft PoM went out for public comment in May.

“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.

“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.

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

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 oval used for football and cricket.

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

The cover of the draft Seaforth Oval Reserve Plan of Management.

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.

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, there would be improvements to the sportsground as well as the existing basketball court, playground and community centre.

Originally published as Seaforth Oval: Council set to vote on plan for new mountain bike jump park