Local riders of all ages and abilities took up the opportunity to test out the trails at the newly revamped Lismore Bike Park at Sunday’s (May 7) open day.

The formerly tired and neglected bike park has been transformed into a safe and central biking hub with tracks and jumps designed to cater for everyone from children new to riding to top BMXers.

Bike Wānaka took on the ambitious project with the vision of creating a fun and accessible urban bike park which the whole community can enjoy now and into the future.

Members celebrated the park’s completion on Sunday alongside local riders and supporters.

Eight-year-old Robyn McCormack was hooked on the bike park after attending Sunday’s open day.

“As a committee, Bike Wānaka is so proud of how the park has come together,” Bike Wānaka secretary Jennie Taylor told the Wānaka App. 

“It represents a huge amount of volunteer work from the committee members and a bold vision that came to fruition.”

She thanked the local businesses which supported the project as well as Queenstown Lakes District Council, The Lion Foundation, and Otago Community Trust, whose funding allowed Bike Wānaka to hire expert trail builders Flux Trail to rebuild the trails and jumps to a high standard.

The Flux Trail team did an amazing job, Jennie said.

“Many of the builders are pro bikers themselves so they understand what up and coming bikers need.”

The rejuvenated park caters for top riders but also has tracks for beginners and intermediate riders.

Sunday’s riders enjoyed the range of trails, which go from ‘family grade 1’ trails featuring bermed turns and rollers all the way to a ‘grade 6’ jump trail. 

Eight-year-old Robyn McCormack headed along to the open day with her family because her older brother wanted to try the jumps.

Robyn’s mum said she quickly progressed from the easiest trail to the next ride.

With trails for the whole family to enjoy, they would visit the bike park much more frequently, she said.

Paige Boosma and Eva Small (ages 11 and 12) also made the most of the park on Sunday and Paige’s dad said the park was an amazing place to work on progression. 

Lots of local riders turned out for Sunday’s open day.

Jennie said Bike Wānaka encouraged locals to head over to Lismore Bike Park and check out everything it now offers.

A second, official open day will be held in spring, she said. 

PHOTOS: Bike Wanaka