Five-year-old Axel is excited about the Banks bike pump track being proposed. Photo: Mackenzie Watkins.
In Canberra’s southern suburb of Banks, a grassroots campaign led by a local family is calling on the ACT Government to fund a long-overdue upgrade to Beau and Jessi Park.
Five-year-old Axel and his mum Jessica Hunt have been campaigning hard for more than six weeks to get as many signatures as possible to help revive the currently run-down reserve.
As it stands, the park on Betty Maloney Crescent is neglected and worn by age – and it shows.
The playground has minimal play equipment, with no toilets, shade sail, car park, bins or picnic areas.
The park was created to honour the late Baumgart children, Beau and Jessi, who tragically lost their lives in an accident in the division of Banks in 1993.
With the help of Jess’ mum, the local campaigners made more than 1000 letterbox drops with flyers to promote the petition.
The petition, which now carries more than 730 signatures, cites a plan to build a bike pump track in Banks.
It’s designed to provide children and families with a much-needed local activity space, reducing the need to travel long distances.
The campaigners believe it will offer a safe and structured environment for young riders to build confidence and skills, and create a positive outlet for energy that can help reduce antisocial behaviour and keep kids engaged in sport and recreation.
Jess, a public servant, hopes the petition being taken to the Legislative Assembly will ultimately lead to a play space in Banks’ future.
“There’s no basketball courts, no netball courts; there’s nothing in Banks. Now I have a kid, I’m sick of having to get in the car and having to drive further. I drive past the park every day and there’s barely ever any kids there,” Jess said.
“I don’t want to take away the meaning of the park [in memory of Beau and Jessi]. Considering what happened, I wouldn’t want that to be taken away as a memorial place.
“But at the same time… Beau and Jessi Park hasn’t changed. Considering its significance, it’s the perfect place for an upgrade and for something new.”
Mark Parton, member for Brindabella and ACT Legislative Assembly Speaker, has sponsored the petition.
“I think [upgrading the park] does continue [Beau and Jessi’s] legacy,” he said. “I think it’s important we do remember… why that park was named in the first place. [A new park] really will continue that; the extreme close connection to community, which I think is a very positive thing.”
Mr Parton said Banks was the perfect place for a new upgrade.
“There are not enough facilities of this nature, particularly down in the deep south of Tuggeranong. And, there are a lot of families there. It’s a very family-friendly part of the ACT, and they just want more stuff to do.”
As the community rallies behind a well-equipped space to honour the children’s memories and serve the future, the current generation is right behind the project.
Axel, who’s “super excited” for the park to be built, said a bike pump track would be perfect because “it’s so cool and everyone will like it”.
