A new £80,500 pump track is being built at Mill Park in Bracknell, with construction starting this week and the council expecting it to open in early 2027.
Funded through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) developer contributions, the asphalt track will cover about 495 square metres and be suitable for bikes, scooters and skateboards. It has been designed to be accessible to riders of different ages and abilities, from beginners to experienced users.
The scheme grew from years of talks with local skateboarders. The council appointed specialist designers and contractors Clark & Kent, who have worked on projects in the US and Spain. Mill Park was chosen from around 40 council-managed parks because it istances well from nearby homes and already has a skateboarding community.
Ian Evans, recreational facilities manager at Bracknell Town Council, said: "We're really pleased with how things are progressing. We've already got a great skateboarding community at Mill Park and we're hoping this will open up another area for people to enjoy and help bring even more people into the park," he told the LDRS.
Mr Evans said the aim was to create a positive space for young people. "It's trying to give something for the teenagers, somewhere for them to hang out," he said. "There's not many places for teenagers to go these days and it's a positive way for them to express themselves and get away from their iPads."
He added: "Who knows, we might end up creating future BMX stars from Bracknell."
The plans prompted some online debate, with some residents saying the money would have been better spent improving the skate park. However, Mr Evans said pump tracks were "more universal and accessible for a wider age range", and the new facility is designed to be usable by people with disabilities as well as riders from beginner to expert.
Environmental factors were considered: the track sits near the park's balancing pond and includes biodiversity measures. The council says 12 trees will be planted around the facility, with extra grassed areas to offset the development.
Installation is under way and the council expects the track to open in early 2027, subject to completion of works, inspections and approvals.
Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter
Council Rejects Plans to Scrap School Funding
£200m Data Centre Plans Submitted in Reading
Residents Rally Against Illegal Parking Near Hospital
