Portable pump track heading to Russell Square
"This collaborative project aims to encourage more children to get active on bikes, scooters or skateboards. It will provide free access to a fun play opportunity where people often miss out.”
Tunatuna, the Murihiku portable pump track, will move to Invercargill’s Russell Square for a Christmas-themed opening on December 6.
Invercargill City Council ran an online poll with three options for where Tunatuna should go, with Russell Square in south Invercargill receiving the most votes.
Healthy Families Invercargill Active Transport Innovator Laura Dowling, who is coordinating the project, said: “Russell Square is a popular park. And now Tunatuna offers a new and exciting play and recreational opportunity. It’d be great to see people using active transport for getting to the track, by using the connecting cycle lanes along Ness Street.”
ICC Parks and Recreation Manager Caroline Rain was delighted the community had voted for Russell Square to host the Tunatuna portable pump track over summer.
"This collaborative project aims to encourage more children to get active on bikes, scooters or skateboards. It will provide free access to a fun play opportunity where people often miss out.”
Russell Square is the third stop-off for the 57m portable pump track after it was officially launched in Bluff in July, before moving to Nightcaps.
The purpose of the track is to create a temporary community hub and bring communities together through active recreation.
As well as presenting a new recreation opportunity, Tunatuna has been a safe place for users to practice and increase their confidence on bikes, scooters and skateboards, so they’re more likely to use active transport going forward.
The portable pump track is owned and maintained by Cycling Southland, with support from the Southland Mountain Bike Club, the Southland BMX Club, and the Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club.
A range of community organisations and funders are involved, including the Community Trust South, ILT Foundation, Waka Kotahi, Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa (administered by Active Southland), Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Gore District Council.