A brand new bike ‘playground’ has opened in Liscard, on a site which used to be home to Central Park’s rose garden.
The bike playground, or pump track, is a continuous circuit of banked turns and features which does not require pedalling and can be used in different ways to suit all ages and abilities. The council says this means complete beginners right through to experienced riders looking for a challenge can use the facility.
The former sunken rose garden was based right in the middle of the park and it is thought the central location will help the new bike ‘playground’ to be visible and grow in popularity. Wirral Council said pump tracks are becoming increasingly popular and help people develop their fitness, skills and coordination as they teach you to use the ground to generate speed.
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Talking about the plan last November, Cllr Janette Williamson, the Labour leader of Wirral Council, said: “It is important to offer activities, anti-social behaviour often comes from boredom. We’ve got stuff going on in Central Park, with sports activities and the pump track, which we did a consultation on and found over 85% of the participants supported.”
Speaking after the park’s opening, Cllr Williamson, said: “This new pump track has created a real buzz in and around Liscard and Wallasey in general, and I know people have already been using it and having a great time, which is fantastic to see. This scheme will provide a dedicated space for young people to enjoy cycling and outdoor activities away from the busy town centre area which is something local residents have been asking for over the years.”
Funding for the project was secured in 2020 from the Town Centre fund, a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority scheme which saw Wirral given £1m, which has been split between Liscard and New Ferry. The fund is targeted at improving the region’s town and district centres.
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Getting town centres and high streets in all parts of our region back on the up has been a priority for me since I was first elected. During my first term, I launched a £6m Mayoral Town Centre Fund, which is benefiting communities like Liscard and Wallasey through projects like this.
“I know that town centres across the country are facing an existential crisis and the pandemic has only made that worse. But I’m committed to helping reimagine and regenerate these spaces and put them back at the heart of our community. Everyone should have a vibrant local high street that is a hub for people to meet, eat, shop and socialise.”
