Ready to ride

By Lia Bichel
TEN-year-old James Price and his young group of friends had their wish granted after council approved a BMX track in Narre Warren North.
In May, James gathered more than 400 signatures rallying for new BMX jumps after the dirt jumps he was using were bulldozed.
The dirt piles, on the corner of Memorial Drive and Robinsons Road, had to be demolished so the land could be turned into a park.
With the help of his 12-year-old brother Mitchell, James wrote a letter to the council asking them to replace the jumps and attached the well-supported petition.
Four Oaks Ward Councillor Shar Balmes said she was proud the council and council officers put in the effort to make the boys’ request a reality.
“We had several meetings with council officers, residents and the Narre Warren North Community Association to discuss the issue and address concerns,” she said.
“There has been a lot of progress made and I am sure everyone will be satisfied.”
Cr Balmes said the development would be a low-grade track to attract young riders. The park will include a playground, walking path and rest area.
Monique Price, James and Mitchell’s mother, said she was pleased the boys would have a place close to home to ride their bikes.
“It’s great news,” she said. “They have been riding their bikes at school lately and they always want to ride their bikes to other BMX jumps that are farther away. There are a lot of kids in the area that ride so it’ll be nice to have something close to home.”
James said he was happy he would have a place to ride his bike but hoped he would have some input into the development.
Cr Balmes said it might take months for works on the BMX track to begin, but was pleased it would eventually be completed.
“It’s a long process so it’s not going to happen in the next few months,” she said.
“It’s part of the master plan. The whole area is going to be beautifully landscaped. I don’t know when it will happen; I just know it will happen.”