Park first step to Comm Games

PART of a world-class mountain bilking facility at Creswick’s Hammon Park was officially opened last Friday.

The first phase of construction at the site was built with $2.1 million from the State Government Regional Tourism Investment Fund, as well as cash from Hepburn Shire, and the Creswick branch of Bendigo Bank.

The park contains jumps and paths for bike rides as well as picnic and barbeque areas, a playground, and all-abilities accessible toilets.

“We all know how beautiful this area is with beautiful trails and beautiful bushland,” said member for Ripon, Martha Haylett.

“But we have needed for some time more health and wellbeing opportunities for our young kids.

“It’s not just creating a benefit for mountain biking but also just great for our families and I’ve seen many people using this space already.”

Villages of the Old Goldfields Association cycling club were also involved in the construction, advocating for more than 10 years these facilities to be built.

The park is the first step of development to prepare Creswick as host for the mountain biking events in the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“It is a benefit to broader tourism to our region both Hepburn and the whole region,” said Ms Haylett.

“This feels like the first sort of tangible step to then get to where we want to be in 2026 with bringing mountain bike racing to Creswick.”