Modular Pump Tracks for Better Public Spaces

A public landscape can be judged after the grand opening. Will people return to the space? Are there ways for different age groups to utilize the area? Even after several seasons will the public space still have use. A green lawn, meandering path and a few benches are the typical completion of a master plan for a public space. However, a space with these elements does not necessarily mean that children will have a safe place to ride their bikes, teens will have a reason to hang out in the space or that families will find activities to do together in the public space.

A Modular Pump Track turns a small space into an active area for play of bikes, scooters, skateboards and BMX as well as other wheeled sports. A Modular Pump Track is made from several interconnecting sections therefore can be used on a variety of sites and building budgets. Also a track can be built in sections over time.

What Is a Modular Pump Track?

A pump track is a circuit made up of rollers, berms and turns that a rider can complete in both directions. By constantly moving your weight from side to side you can generate enough speed and momentum in your bike to ‘pump’ through the track instead of having to constantly peddle or push your bike along. A great activity that requires lots of skill as well as being great fun and physically demanding all on a very small piece of land.

Our Modular Pump Tracks are constructed using prefabricated sections instead of a fixed earth, asphalt or concrete construction. Sections can be joined together to form a compact pump track loop or extended to form a larger community pump track. A modular design also means sections can be laid out in any configuration to suit the size and shape of the available site.

Why does the modular format matter?

Modular pump tracks can be built in less than perfect conditions. If a school has a long strip running through their playground then this can be transformed into a fun feature for the kids to play on. If a park has a hardscape corner that no one ever uses then this can be transformed into a fun feature for kids of all ages to play on. If a resort wants to create a fun guest activity before peak season then this can be set up and then taken down once the season begins. By designing modular pump tracks our planners are able to design within the clients constraints.

How Modular Pump Tracks Add Public Landscape Value

Public spaces should bring use not just pretty views. Modular pump tracks allow public landscapes to include movement through space, social interaction and return visits.

They activate underused areas

There are a lot of leftover public spaces. They are too small for a full sports field and too exposed for a quiet sitting area. Turn these highly visible spaces into active area with a modular pump track for public parks. The pump track can be located near a playground, trailhead, sports court, schoolyard, or plaza. Because people already move through these areas, it makes sense to put a pump track there.

Pump tracks are a great public recreation project because they are highly impactful in a relatively small amount of space. A well-designed track in a quiet corner of a park can quickly define the purpose of that area and bring users to the space to ride and have fun.

They serve many users in one footprint

Single purpose facilities generally serve one user group at one time. Modular pump tracks can be used by many users during the course of the day. Young children can use balance bikes or scooters to learn to ride, whilst older kids and adults can practice tricks on BMX’s, mountain bikes, skateboards or roller skates. Parents can watch from the seating area provided, whilst casual cyclists can use the facility for short practice sessions.

This mix of users is a big part of why the investment will be so defensible. But in the end, it supports family-friendly outdoor activities and a venue for youth activities and for informal fitness work.

Design Flexibility for Parks, Schools, and Community Sites

Landscape architects and park planners want site appropriate design features and our modular pump tracks can be sized to fit within a number of different outdoor environments including small yards for back yard fun, open recreation spaces for formalized riding, schoolyards, temporary event lawns, and commercial outdoor recreation spaces.

How can layouts match the site?

Small areas such as schoolyards can make use of a very short loop consisting of gentle rollers and wide turns. Larger parks on the other hand can have longer routes with even more flow and challenges. A pump track for schools should be beginner-friendly and modular, while a community park can make use of an all-wheel pump track for bikes, scooters and skateboards.

A good placement of a running track is important. It should link up with other paths without blocking them. It’s helpful to have clear entry and exit points, a sufficient safety area, a clear view and space for pause or observation. Additional features like seating, shade, grass verges and greenery can make the facility blend in with the rest of the outdoor space.

Can projects grow in phases?

Budgets can change, visitor numbers can increase, new funding may become available during the first phase of a project. Modular pump tracks can be developed in stages. This allows individual sections of the system to be extended or reorganized as required. A small starter system can grow into a large community facility as required.

Faster Installation and Less Site Disruption

Public construction projects have tight construction schedules. The work must be completed to allow schools to open for students at start of school year, for park work to open for summer use, and for resorts and campgrounds to open for booking seasons.

A modular pump track installation allows for a more controlled and contained build process on site, whilst allowing key stakeholders to focus on the core aspects of the build. All aspects of a site must still be taken into account including; drainage, access, ground conditions, safety, and provision for maintenance. However with a modular installation owners can have a clearer timeline from approval to completion and opening.

Low Maintenance Supports Long-Term Value

When evaluating a public amenity to be used over extended periods of time it is important to look at the bigger picture and not just evaluate within a short space of time. Dirt tracks can require periodic re-profiling due to rain and extreme use. Some of the materials used in building trails can become hazardous when wet or excessively worn. The value of a low maintenance pump track is that it takes a lot of pressure off staff whilst delivering a consistently high quality riding experience.

A good quality modular pump track surface should be anti-slip to provide enough grip for bikes, scooters, skateboards and BMX. When a pump track is used in public space it is part of the safety when children and beginners use it.

Basic maintenance is usually straightforward:

• Remove leaves, sand, stones, and litter from the riding surface
• Check edges, joints, and connections during routine site inspections
• Keep entry and exit areas clear
• Maintain signage for helmets, direction, and riding behavior

Less demanding maintenance is valuable for Parks and Recreation Departments, for Schools and for facility owners who have very few staff. It adds value in the long term.

What Makes a Pump Track Work Well in the Landscape?

A pump track does not have to be an after-thought and be thrown into a park’s landscape as an after-thought. The best public park pump track design begins with the design of the entire site.

Where should the track be placed?

A track is best suited next to playgrounds, bike paths, sports courts, school recreation areas and other family activity zones. It is less suited to a quiet lawn, a memorial garden or a picnic area for example. The object is to put a lot of energy next to a lot of energy.

How should watching and waiting be planned?

There will be many users who do not use the whole system. They will be parents, teachers, friends and siblings who need to stand or sit with children on the system. The provision of shade, benches, water, clear walking surface, open sightlines and safety signage will influence the length of time that users spend on the system and the level of supervision required.

About ULTRAPUMPTRACK

ULTRAPUMPTRACK supplies high quality modular pump tracks for outdoor use in parks, schools, community centers, camps, resorts, commercial venues and at special events. All design and experience is based on actual pump tracks, the ULTRAPUMPTRACK modular system is designed to be easily configured to any desired size and for fast assembly. The weather resistant design and low maintenance characteristics make ULTRAPUMPTRACK the ideal supplier for pump tracks.

ULTRAPUMPTRACK supports all types of wheeled users such as bikes, scooters, BMX bikes, skateboards and many more. As a tool for project teams, ULTRAPUMPTRACK can also help designing a custom Pump Track in a given area, taking into account the age group of the users, the expected usage, a budget, the color scheme and many more. A public Pump Track has to perform on a daily basis and not only look good in the drawings of a project proposal.

Conclusion

Modular pump tracks create value in public landscape development because they turn underused landscape into an active and dynamic space that is fun for all ages and skills. A well-designed pump track can transform a quiet corner of a park or public space into a recreation destination that supports a variety of wheel types and creates a short-term ‘attraction’ that reduces long-term maintenance pressure while providing repeat visitation from families and kids of riding age.

Modular pump tracks are ideal for parks, schools, community centers, campgrounds, resorts and urban projects. A well-designed modular system offers the greatest benefit of being useable by the public. A pump track with lots of movement offers users the chance to spend lots of time at the facility. Above all, youth love to use them. And most importantly, there is great long-term value when you consider the very small space requirements for such a system.

FAQs

Are modular pump tracks suitable for public parks?

Yes. Modular pump tracks can be built in public parks and fit into small spaces, into the edges of parks or into larger recreation areas. A pump track for parks is suitable for bikes, scooters, skateboards and BMX bikes. Families with children from 4 years and older, children, teens and also ambitious and occasional sportsmen and women can use a pump track for parks.

Is a modular pump track surface smooth?

No the riding surface should be anti-slip, not smooth. A good quality pump track surface is designed to be grippy for outdoor wheeled sports. This enables riders on bikes, scooters, skateboards and BMX to maintain control.

How much space does a modular pump track need?

A number of factors such as the layout, the group of riders and the project objectives will dictate the required size of the space. For a small space such as a schoolyard or local neighborhood park a pump track design can work well. A larger community pump track will be more suited to a sports park, ski resort or quality recreation destination.