21 February, 2026

Riders seek track after removal of self-built jumps

Bike boys… (from left) Zach Dilworth, Lachie Struther, Lincoln Ashley and Buddy Dilworth built their own jumps at Sylvan Park

Four Milford schoolboys are making a case for BMX bike facilities in the suburb.
The boys, who all live near Sylvan Park, built a few jumps with pallets in the park last year, but learned permission was needed for reserve use when the pallets they put together during the school holidays at the end of Term 3 were taken away.
Determined Year 10 students Lincoln Ashley, Lachie Struthers and Buddy Dilworth, along with Buddy’s brother Zach (Year 8), then set about going through proper channels. After contacting Auckland Council, they were told to go to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and were given a speaking slot at its first 2026 community forum held last week.
Taking turns to speak, the boys told board members that young people needed healthy activities and time away from screens. “Teens struggle with mental health – biking helps and you make friends,” said one. “We want to influence our generation for action.”
They were willing to build and maintain their proposed Milford Mountain Bike / BMX Park if given permission to set one up.
“We’re all passionate about biking,” the boys, who attend Kristin School, explained to the Observer after their presentation.

They said they had visited the Narrow Neck pump track and the hilly Greville Rd facility, but something nearer to home would cater better for young riders.
Sylvan Park won’t be available, being considered a sensitive ecological site, which they learned when their jumps were taken away. Council staff had flattened and removed the pallets.
The boys now hope they can get some help identifying a suitable location.
“We promise to plant and weed it. We won’t cut down any trees,” they told the forum.
Board chair Trish Deans commended the presentation and said it was a shame members of the Milford Residents Association (MRA), who had left after speaking earlier, did not hear their ideas, but council staff could connect them.
The MRA is helping drive community ideas for eventual repurposing of some of the bought-out flooded properties in the Nile Rd area, with recreational use high on the list of suggestions.
Board member Gavin Busch, who was involved with the Narrow Neck track build sponsored by Devonport Rotary, suggested the boys consider approaching Rotary in their area. It would help to have such an organisation act as lead to help with council approvals, he said.

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