The Fanny Street Reserve Bike Track project was initiated to address an emerging need for a designated and safe riding space for local mountain bike and BMX riders. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, riders began constructing dirt jumps within public bushland, the location of these jumps caused unwanted environmental impacts and due to the makeshift and possibly unsafe construction of the jumps, parks maintenance officers were required to demolish them. This guerilla construction highlighted the need for a purpose-built bike track within Moonee Valley, so MVCC embarked on a community consultation and design process to offer a designated bike track with jumps away from protected bushland at the location of an existing dilapidated bike track in Fanny Street Reserve.
Community consultation with local riders was undertaken and input from an experienced national bike track design company was sought to deliver a resolved design. Under the guidance of the design contractor MVCC tried to initiate a community-led rider group to help monitor and maintain the track, however this was not achieved and that ultimately influenced both project delivery and long-term maintenance strategies. When construction of the project was tendered an internal procurement decision was made that the design company was to be excluded from the construction tendering process and consequently, another contractor was awarded the job. Following site mobilization, the construction contractor flagged issues with the design’s suitability for the location, noting specific concerns around the durability of an uncovered clay track, the quantity of soil needed for the project compared to what was outlined in the bill of quantities, the practicality of certain design elements and the inclusion of publicly accessible water points. This feedback prompted a re-evaluation of the design, resulting in critical adjustments aimed at cost-saving, enhanced usability and improved integration with the natural landscape.
In response to budget parameters, site constraints and a lack of the community-led rider group, the project team made several modifications to the design during the early stages of construction. These included replacing concrete paths with asphalt, replacing steel balustrades/park benches with rock boulders, avoiding unnecessary excavation due to early discovery of soil contaminants and removing the publicly accessible water points. These substitutions not only reduced costs but also provided aesthetic benefits, blending the track more harmoniously into the reserve’s landscape. To improve the track’s durability and minimise ongoing maintenance the construction contractor suggested the use of PolyCom, a soil stabilizer typically used in dust suppression on mining sites. Though relatively untested for bike jump tracks, it was approved to help mitigate erosion of the track under use.
Overall, the Fanny St Reserve Bike Track project illustrates the complexities of adapting recreational facilities in public open space to community desires while balancing environmental preservation, cost management, and maintenance planning. While the project successfully delivered a designated track for local mountain bike and BMX riders, the project underscores the importance of adaptable design and recognising the challenges inherent in balancing community expectations with long-term sustainability.