A Lake District community is celebrating after British Cycling awarded £25,000 to secure its hopes of an exciting new bike track.

Work is due to start after Easter on the new cycling circuit at Queen’s Park in Windermere, better known to generations of locals as The Rec'.

The project will be the fruition of three years’ tireless dedication by community group Windermere Park For All, working with South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) officers. The group of local parents has been fundraising since 2017 to improve the popular SLDC-owned park for future generations, and the pump track will mark stage one of a major overhaul at The Rec.

The undulating circuit of rollers, hills and camel humps has been designed to appeal to riders of any age and ability, not just teens on BMXs, as cyclists 'pump' their bikes along using up-and-down body movements rather than pedalling or pushing.

Once the track is completed, contractors will make a start on stage two of the £170,000 project by replacing the existing play area with more exciting and inclusive new features, including: a kick-about zone; improved landscaping; wild play; and picnic areas.

The cost of the pump track has been met by generous donations from the Dulverton Trust, the Holehird Trust and English Lakes Hotels.

Officers from SLDC have contributed their time and expertise, and the project’s delivery was sealed by £25,000 match-funding from British Cycling’s #PlacesToRide capital grants programme.

British Cycling is the sport’s national governing body which set the gold standard for Olympic and Paralympic success. Places to Ride has made £15 million available to ensure a lasting legacy from the 2019 UCI Road World Championships held in Yorkshire, and is a partnership between British Cycling, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Sport England.

Councillor Ben Berry, a Windermere ward councillor on SLDC and chairman of Windermere Park for All, said: “It’s just going to bring a whole new level of enjoyment to Queen’s Park. What we as a committee wanted to do was breathe fresh life, particularly into the playground.

“It’s well enjoyed now but could be so much better. The committee that’s been incredibly hard working and dedicated to this is made up of mothers of young families, myself and a young man that loves BMX-ing.”

Once the playground and pump track are complete, Windermere Park For All plans to embark on another round of fundraising for stage three, revamping the skate park.