Hanmer Springs locals can put down their shovels, put on their helmets and ride down to the new mountain bike jump park.
The new jump park at Brook Dawson Reserve opened last week and is already being put to good use by local kids practicing their mountain biking skills.
The Hanmer Springs Mountain Bike Club advocated for the new jump park and with help from the community, developed it alongside Cam Bisset from Dirt Trail Building.
The new jump park, which is next to the pump track, is accessible to riders of all stages with three different runs – easy, intermediate, and difficult.
A few “close calls” on self-made jumps triggered the idea of creating a jump park.
Kids had been building their own jumps which was dangerous, Hanmer Springs Mountain Bike Club Chair Grum Frith said.
“Kids were self-building these jumps and it can be really dangerous because they’re too narrow, they come down trails too quickly and there’s a high risk of collisions,” Frith said.
The Hanmer Springs Mountain Bike Club is made up of about 90 members who support the establishment, development and vision for the future of mountain bike trails in and around Hanmer Springs.
Material costs of about $10,000 for the park were covered by the Hanmer Springs Community Board and the club covered labour costs.
“The club is very lucky to have the support of the Mainland Trust as well as regular donations from Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, Hanmer Springs Holiday Homes, Hurunui Tourism and PJ’s Pies,” Frith said.
