THE POP UP PUMPTRACK BRINGING SUBURBS TO LIFE
22 May 2024
Many councils across Australia grapple with the challenge of motivating youth to participate in outdoor activities. The City of Burnside in South Australia developed an innovative solution to keep its youth active and engaged – a travelling pop-up Pumptrack.
With longstanding community demand for a skate park, the council wanted to provide a space for youth to enjoy while avoiding the potential perceived negative impacts that a skatepark may bring and minimise the need for significant capital investment.
In February 2020, the City of Burnside Council set up its first Modular Pumptrack for a 12-month trial, and four years later, the initiative is still running.
Talitha McDougall from the City of Burnside shares her insights.
Q Has the project been a success overall?
Talitha Absolutely. In the initial 12-month trial, we recorded a total of 550,856 laps across four different locations. Following the trial, the Council decided to retain the Modular Pumptrack as a transportable facility to rotate around the city due to its significant popularity.
Q What kind of feedback has the community provided?
Talitha We've received fantastic reviews through feedback forms at each site. People love the pump track and appreciate its community-building aspect. The Modular Pumptrack is used and loved by kids, teenagers, and parents, on skateboards, bikes and scooters. 
Q Can you provide more detail on the disassembly and relocation process of the pump track?
Talitha The disassembly and relocation is managed by our field staff and is a seamless process. Typically, it involves dismantling the track, packing it onto a truck, and transporting it to the next location, with the entire process taking only a couple of days. The Pumptrack's flexible design allows us to adjust each site's layout and create new tracks offering visitors a new riding experience.
Q What would the estimated yearly cost be for the pump track?
Talitha Each relocation involves minor costs for field staff labour, occasional site remediation, and ad hoc maintenance. All these costs are manageable and covered within our existing operational budgets. Compared to investing in a permanent skate park, acquiring a Modular Pumptrack was deemed financially prudent, providing a skateable facility to assess demand without major capital outlay. 
Q What challenges or obstacles have arisen during the implementation or operation of the project?
Talitha One challenge was explaining what a pump track is to the community, as it was a new concept to many. Additionally, addressing concerns about potential issues like vandalism and noise required transparency and open communication. Fortunately, we've only encountered minor issues, which we promptly addressed. 
Since the initial trial, there have been over 1 million laps of the Modular Pumptrack by community members of all ages and on all wheels. If you're a council or school seeking to establish a cost-effective, pop-up, or permanent Modular Pumptrack, Urban Play is ready to assist with complimentary design and quote service.
