Bedgrove Park - BMX pump track

We are raising money for a fabulous pump track in Bedgrove Park for the health and social benefit of all local residents, the wider community and young people in particular. Every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause.

*** UPDATE 11/11/24 - WE NOW HAVE A GRAND TOTAL OF £97,851.49 ***

We are nearly there. Please continue to help us reach our target - every donation counts.

WE'VE HAD GRANTS AWARDED BY THE SHANLY FOUNDATION, THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION, THE WILLIAM HARDING CHARITY, AYLESBURY COMMUNITY BOARD, AYLESBURY TOWN COUNCIL, THE BERNARD SUNLEY FOUNDATION, THE RECTORY FOUNDATION, THE MOBBS MEMORIAL TRUST, THE GOSLING FOUNDATION, THE SYDER FOUNDATION, FAIRHIVE THRIVING COMMUNITIES FUND, THE ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST, THE NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND & HEART OF BUCKS YOUNG FUTURES FUND.

Please join us in making a difference.

The BEDGROVE RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION is a registered charity (no. 1010279) representing around 7500 people on the estate. Find us at www.bedgrove.org.uk

WHAT IS A PUMP TRACK?

A pump track is a looped sequence of rollers and banked turns and is designed to be ridden by riders ‘pumping’ - which involves generating momentum by up and down body movements - instead of pedalling. Popular with mountain bike and BMX riders they are also enjoyed by skateboarders, scooters and balance bikes, and are accessible to wheelchairs thanks to their asphalt or tarmac surface. They can be enjoyed by a variety of ages and skill levels.

(Examples below)

The Council has designated an area in the park we can use for this purpose (see diagram) and once constructed, the Council will maintain and manage the facility in line with their overall management of the park. The proposed site is already designated as open space and freely accessible to the Public. The location adheres to current Fields in Trust (FiT) guidance and Buckinghamshire Councils’ (Aylesbury Vale Area) Design Code of a 30m. minimum buffer distance from residential dwellings and boundaries.

To build the track we have appointed Clark & Kent who have many years of expertise in this field including the construction of the BMX venue for the London 2012 Olympics, plus they have built over 190 pump tracks of varying sizes.

WHY A PUMP TRACK?

There is no facility like this in the Aylesbury area.

WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES?

• There are over 2,000 children on Bedgrove and more than 16,000 in Aylesbury. This project encourages sport, physical activity and active travel for the residents of the estate and also to the wider community.

• This will help parents who are conscious of the amount of screen time their children are having and want to encourage youngsters to get outside more, exercise, and spend more time playing with their friends in the real world, instead of virtually

• It’s a potential introduction into biking sports that have become more popular due to athletes competing in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games

• It’s positive for health, both physical and mental

• It will provide a much needed free-to-use facility for teens

• This project should bring about a positive change to behaviour and is supported by the local police who deal with anti-social behaviour

• It will provide facilities which are inclusive to wide ranging age and ability groups

• Youngsters will be active in Bedgrove which is more easily accessible than travelling out of Aylesbury to enjoy the same activity

• We hope the pump track will result in a great sense of ownership, and pride in our community working together and enhancing the feeling of it being a great place to live

• It would encourage personal development for young people (including life skills/ prospects)

• We want to prevent the loss of irreplaceable habitat, nature and carbon stores for a healthier future for everyone. The Spinney is of ecological value and is one of the few remaining areas of mature trees including mature oaks which are a unique feature within Aylesbury, and it’s vital that it’s protected for future generations to enjoy.

OUR TARGET

For the design and construction we need to raise a minimum of £100k but the more we can raise the more fantastic the track can be with more features providing more variety which gives users the chance to hone different skills.

We are over 97% there with support from THE SHANLY FOUNDATION, THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION, THE WILLIAM HARDING CHARITY, AYLESBURY COMMUNITY BOARD, AYLESBURY TOWN COUNCIL, THE BERNARD SUNLEY FOUNDATION, THE RECTORY FOUNDATION, THE MOBBS MEMORIAL TRUST, THE GOSLING FOUNDATION, THE SYDER FOUNDATION, FAIRHIVE THRIVING COMMUNITIES FUND, THE ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST, THE NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND & HEART OF BUCKS YOUNG FUTURES FUND. plus money from Council funds, our own reserves and generous donations.

We want to see this project built in 2024 and if we hit our £100k target we have been promised a further £10k by The Clare Foundation. Don't forget - more money means more features and more variety - all adding to the fun.

But we need help from you too. Please support us in raising the money for this fantastic new facility. We would be extremely grateful for anything you can donate to this project however big or small.

If you can, please also indicate that we can claim Gift Aid on your donation which will add another 25p for every £1 you donate.

THANK YOU