Riders of all types will now be able to enjoy the new Mountain Bike Skills Course at Nesbitt Park which was officially opened today by Lismore Mayor Vanessa Ekins and NSW Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin.

Mayor Ekins said the new track will allow beginner to intermediate riders to learn their mountain biking skills whilst enjoying the outdoors.

“It’s exciting to open this Mountain Bike Skills Course which is something the community and Council has wanted for a long time and I thank the NSW Government for the grant to fund it,” she said.

“It really is a fantastic facility, and I am sure it will be well used by the community.”

Lismore City Council received a grant under the NSW Government’s Round 2 Stronger Country Communities Funding totalling $268,956, to build the track.

Council’s Coordinator for Open Space Assets Martin Soutar said the new facility will cater for all levels of experience with a focus on beginners and intermediate riders.

“The course was designed and constructed by World Trails which installs mountain bike facilities in Australia and around the world. It has been designed to help beginner and intermediate mountain bike riders develop their skills on various natural elements they may find on actual bushland trails,” he said.

“This facility will add yet another element of play that the community can experience at Nesbitt Park which already has playground equipment, a 1km walking track, exercise equipment, BBQ’s, sporting fields and a Radio-Controlled Car facility.”

Mayor Vanessa Ekins, Ben Franklin, Janelle Saffin, Darlene Cook with Anton Nguyen and Mark Soutar

Anton Nguyen, Parks Officer for Lismore City Council, told the Lismore App that he and his team chose all native species to plant out the area. They have also included some re-purposed timber in the design.

“Some of these logs you see around, they’re all cut off pylons from the project down at the river bank. I said don’t throw them away, just keep them, I don’t know what I’m going to use them for but they were sitting up there in the yard and we brought them in here and we recycled them through here to make seats and benches and decking” Anton said.

Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said the upgrade means more people can use the track, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“This will now be an even better space for people to get outdoors and ride safely, especially for young people,” he said.

“Parks are playing a big role for recreation and exercise in people’s lives at the moment and so any upgrades to local parks are great for the community.”

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the track delivers for kids and families for all of Lismore, and particularly for South Lismore.

“This is an example of the great outcomes that can be achieved when Council, the State Government and State Member all work together,” she said.

The project included demolishing part of the existing dirt BMX track, undertaking drainage work to ensure the facility is maintenance friendly, re-establishing landscaping and vegetation, and installation of various mountain bike skills that you would find out in a bushland setting.