A BMX track, fiercely opposed by many, has been opened in Norbury Park. The 70m x 40m pump track, which cost roughly £123,000 to construct, was almost never built after 1,500 people signed a petition to stop the proposal in its tracks.

“Save Norbury Park from the BMX track” was the title of an article published by the Norbury Village Residents’ Association (NVRA), who led the campaign to cancel the project. The Friends of Norbury Park also threatened to disband if the plan went ahead, objecting on grounds that it would be ugly, intrusive and use up too much of the park. However, it was given the green light and construction began in early July.

Now finished, the track (positioned by the park pavilion) is immensely popular with locals, always busy and full of both children and adults having fun. A BMX club is run on weekends, with bikes, equipment and coaching provided with the aim of getting kids into cycling. Ibikeride.com, a popular biking website, states that schools will have the opportunity to send kids for BMX lessons at the track and Croydon BMX club has bikes available for members to use. It is worth noting that the track is still fun without a specialist bike, and only a helmet and a decent bike is needed for a good time.

The track was built for the purpose of getting kids trying a new, exciting sport and it seems like it has achieved its goal. In terms of ugliness (listen up NVRA), it is large and maybe spoils a view but its slopes are grassy and it only takes up a small portion of the park.

And now even the protesters have changed their tune, with the Friends of Norbury Park (not disbanded) celebrating the launch on Twitter. In all, it seems like this project, despite fears, has been a success for Norbury.

By Danny Kuhrt, Dunraven School