Park pump track dedicated to late councillor
Work to create a pump track in a Dudley borough park is nearing completion following a local community fundraising campaign.
Members of the Friends of Homer Hill Park have been working on the pump track project for over two years, with support from Dudley Council.
The project has been dedicated to the memory of the late Councillor Richard Body, who was chair of the group when he sadly passed away in 2023.
It’s hoped that the tarmac track, which will be suitable for bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, micro scooters, and other non-motorised wheeled sports, will be in use by February half term.
Work is costing a total of £64,000 with £50,000 coming from the group’s successful Enovert bid. An additional £5,000 was granted by the Community Forum, with the remainder being fundraised by events and activities by the Friends.
The Friends group has undertaken a lot of consultation in the area, showing local community support for the project,
Val Bloomer, secretary of the Friends of Homer Hill Park, said:
“The Friends group started this project with Richard Body, as always leading from the front, and we have continued working on it in his memory ever since he sadly passed away.
“We have raised a considerable amount of funds through different methods, including events on the park, crowd funding and an application to Enovert Community Trust.
“I would like to thank the local community who have got behind us and helped to make this project a reality. This includes many individuals, organisations such as Cradley Community Centre and Cradley Scouts, as well as the family and former colleagues of Richard.”
Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environment, said:
“The Friends of Homer Hill have done incredible work to raise funds and mobilise the community behind this fantastic project, with support from our parks and green care teams.”
“Councillor Body was a stalwart of his local community, and I am delighted to see the pump track being completed in his memory.
“On behalf of Dudley Council and the Friends group would like to thank everyone who has helped with this project to make this dream a reality.”
An opening ceremony will take place on Saturday 15 February at noon, with riders from Four One Four in attendance.
Contact Information
Dudley Council
Notes to editors
The group would like to thank everyone who has supported the project and helped to raise the funding, which includes many local groups, including the Friends of the Library and Friends of the Community Garden. The Community Centre donated £1,400, and the Scouts raised £1,000. Also, Leia, a 10-month-old girl whose family sponsored her to walk around the exercise track raised over £100. Many more people have made a personal donation. Richard Body’s family raised thousands of pounds and former colleagues donated and undertook challenges to fundraise.