Parkour and bike track in Balga park upgrades

A SKATE park, BMX and dirt bike facility, market space and parkour area will feature at a revamped Princess Wallington Reserve in Balga.

The City of Stirling has finalised its design for the $7 million Princess Wallington Community Parkland project, which has received $2.45 million in funding from Lotterywest.

Following community feedback, the parkland will comprise skate and bike facilities, two playgrounds, courts for soccer, basketball and netball, a community event and market space, picnic and barbecue facilities, grassed areas and walking trails.

There will also be a parkour and youth area, which will offer seating, in-ground trampolines and wi-fi, as well as public toilets, formalised parking and various public artworks.

“The parkland aims to create a new community hub that will attract a wide range of users and encourage local and community events,” Mayor Mark Irwin said.

“We have involved our community in this project every step of the way and the final design will deliver a truly transformed space able to be enjoyed by everyone.”

The City has applied to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to clear 30 trees to make way for the development.

It also proposes to relocate 65 Balga (grass trees), which will be transplanted to other areas in the parkland or the suburb.

Infrastructure director Michael Littleton said the project was designed to retain as many large shade trees and vegetation as possible.

“Out of 222 trees, just 30 have been identified for removal (and) of those, 24 are required to be removed for safety reasons as they are in very poor health or structural condition,” he said.

“To offset the tree removals, the City will plant 74 45-litre trees and 9 30-litre trees.”

Mr Littleton said logs and trunks from removed trees will be turned into nature play elements any remaining material would be mulched and spread on site.

Construction is expected to start late this year and the first two stages set to open in early 2021.