Stromlo Forest Park News
News and Media
17th May
EQUESTRIAN TRAILS OFFICIALLY OPEN AT STROMLO
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope will officially re-open the new Recreational Equestrian Trails at Stromlo Forest Park today.
6th May 2008
TOURISM, SPORT AND RECREATION FOR THE FUTURE
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr said the Stanhope Government’s 2008-2009 Budget provides an extra $20.5 million over four years to enhance Canberra’s sporting future, as well as attract more people to the National Capital.
3rd January 2008
STROMLO FOREST PARK’S FIRST YEAR A GREAT SUCCESS
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr, today said the first year of operation for Stromlo Forest Park has been a great success.
Mr Barr said the Stanhope Government invested $7.5 million to establish the Park following the bushfires of 2003, and the result has been a great new sporting and recreational facility for the community.
“Stromlo Forest Park, spread over 400 hectares, includes a purpose-built event pavilion, a criterium cycling circuit, the newly opened Rob de Castella cross-country running track, a range of mountain bike tracks and equestrian trails,” Mr Barr said.
“The Park is the first of its type in Australia-possibly in the world. It has the capacity to host a range of major national and international events and the first year of operation has seen a number of large scale events including the SCOT 24 hour mountain bike race, the national mountain bike championships and the first annual Rob De Castella foot race.
“The ACT Government supported these events with an additional $1.6 million in the 2007/08 Budget to assist with the marketing and management of the Park.”
Mr Barr said he is looking forward to seeing the Park go from strength to strength over the coming years.
“2008 will see us hosting the world mountain bike and trials championships as well as the mountain bike world cup ahead of the World Mountain Bike Championships in 2009 – a major event that will attract more than 750 of the world’s top mountain bike riders, as well as 30 000 visitors from up to 40 countries,” he said.
“The Government will continue to grow and support the park and would like to see it utlisised as not only a world-class sporting facility but also as a recreational facility for the wider ACT community.
“I urge all Canberrans to experience Stromlo Forest Park – whether it be as a bushwalker, horse rider, bike rider or spectator– it is here for the whole community to enjoy.”
18th November 2007
ROBERT DE CASTELLA CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING TRACK OPENS
Local running star Martin Dent took out the inaugural Robert de Castella men’s invitational foot race at Stromlo Forest Park this morning, while rising women’s cross-country identity Lara Tamsett won the women’s invitational.
Dent won the 8km men’s elite event in a time of 23:33, while Tamsett completed the 8km women’s course in 28:42.
St Jude’s took out the primary award for the most participants in the schools event, and St Clare’s the high school award.
The races were the first to be run on the brand-new Robert De Castella Cross-Country Running Track, which was officially opened today by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope.
The purpose-built groomed grass circuit comprises a 2.5km loop that can be reduced to 2km, 1.5km or 1km, enabling multiple-lap configurations covering various distances.
The track sets a new benchmark for cross-country running in Australia and will cater to all levels of runners from schoolchildren to international athletes.
The official launch of the running track today continues the development of the $7.5 million Stromlo Forest Park into a world-class recreational and competition facility for bike riders, runners and horse riders. The Park will play host to a mountain bike world cup event next year and the mountain bike world championships in 2009.
13th October 2007
Stromlo Forest Park plays host to 24-Hour Mountain Bike Championships
More than 2500 cyclists from around Australia, as well as international riders, converge on Stromlo Forest Park today for the SCOTT Australian 24-Hour Mountain Bike Championships.
“The SCOTT Australian 24-Hour has grown from humble beginnings in Canberra in 1999 when Canberra Off-Road Cyclists staged the first event for 178 riders at Deeks Reserve,” Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said at the event launch today. “It has now grown to be the largest mountain bike race of its type in the world.”
“The event pits individuals and teams against themselves and the clock to see how many laps they can complete in a 24-hour period.
“Events like this showcase the investment the ACT Government has made in the world-class Stromlo Forest Park facility and will hopefully encourage many of the participating riders to return to visit the ACT to ride our mountain bike trails,” Mr Stanhope said.
Canberra Off-Road Cycling President Anthony Burton encouraged Canberrans to visit Stromlo Forest Park to see the action.
“Whether you’re a participant or spectator, this year’s SCOTT 24-Hour promises to promote fun, camaraderie and sheer cycling pleasure,” he said. “This year’s event includes the Rugby World Cup on the big screen, numerous village vendors and even a jumping castle for the kids. But, for me, I am really looking forward to seeing over 2000 lights criss-crossing the face of Mount Stromlo after sunset.”
The Scott 24 Hour race starts at midday today and finishes at midday tomorrow, Sunday 14 October.
16th August 2007
Map and signage upgrades
Stromlo Forest Park management are currently preparing updated maps for the website and the signage on site. These works will hopefully be ready by October 2007. These works will also include the installation of track markers indicating trail ratings and direction.
XC MTB tracks
Renowned MTB track designer and track builder, Glen Jacobs from World Trail, is back at Stromlo Forest Park constructing Stage 2 of the XC MTB tracks. These are due to be completed by October 2007 in time for the Scott24. If you see him out there, be sure to let him know what you think of the tracks at Stromlo Forest Park.
Downhill Track opening
The Downhill MTB track will be open on the 18th August 2007. The installation of the bridge has been completed with final approvals due on the 17th of August. Changes have been made to the track to realign with the bridge so please take care.
28th May 2007
The Mountain Cross Track (4X) is now open.
11 April 2007
Mountain Cross (4X) - The Mountain Cross track is closed due to safety construction work. Large amounts of soil are being imported to the track to reduce the battering slope. It is anticipated this work will be completed in May 2007. Please check the website again for any more updates.
Downhill (DH) . The Downhill track is currently closed until such time as a permanent bridge is installed de-conflicting the downhill track and an equestrian trail. The works for this should start in May with an anticipated completion in June 2007. Please check the website again for any more updates.
Cross Country (XC) - The Cross country tracks are open. Please follow the track markers and be mindful of other users.
In the meantime please STAY OFF these tracks, as riding them before they are finished could result in injury to yourself or another park user.
29 January 2007
Canberra to host World Mountain Bike Championships
Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr today welcomed the announcement that the 2009 World Mountain Bike and Trials Championships would be held in Canberra...read more
27 January 2007
Stromlo Forest's New Facelift
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation Andrew Barr will today officially open the new mountain bike facilities and events pavilion at the new Stromlo Forest Park...read more
10 January 2007
Water reduction strategy a success at Stromlo
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr, today visited the site of the new Stromlo Forest Park to view the implementation of a Water Reduction Strategy being utilised during construction...read more
27 February 2007
Work begins on world-class cycling, cross-country, equestrain trails at Stromlo
Marathon-man Rob de Castella, Olympic cyclist Stephen Hodge and international mountain-bike course designer Glen Jacobs will today visit the site of the new, world-class recreational park being constructed by the ACT Government at Stromlo...read more
