Grey Lynn Pump Track

The Grey Lynn Pump Track is in Grey Lynn Park, which is vast. The pump track is just off Dryden Street, which has some angle parking there, plus plenty of on-street parking nearby. Of course, if you live close enough, you can ride there.

It’s a fantastic track, created by and for locals and the envy of other neighbourhoods. Check out the inspiring story about how the community, and two people in particular, brought it from just an idea to a treasured local asset that’s used every day.

The track has five ‘lanes’ which makes for fantastic long loops and plenty of variety. On an early visit, there were arrows on the lanes to indicate direction. These seem to have since worn off, but everything seems to flow well anyway, with riders all being very considerate of each other.

A real highlight of the track is that lots of mums and dads ride with their kids, and the kids are on all kinds of rides – balance bikes, kids with trainer wheels, right up to those with ‘proper’ BMX bikes and skateboards. Scooters are not supposed to use the track – presumably because they’re prone to “bottoming out” at the top of the rises, which damages the surface.

Absolute beginners won’t be comfortable on this track – not least because it’s just so popular and busy – but for everyone else, its fantastic design means it’s accessible to various ability levels and everyone has loads of fun.

The adjacent playground is a bit run-down; one hopes it will be shown some TLC soon, given the popularity of the track! There’s a better playground at the other end of the park towards Williamson Ave, near the paddling pool (open in summertime). Continue to Williamson Ave itself to find the nearest dairy for snacks.

There’s a toilet near the pump track, and a water fountain. The basketball court is popular, and there is adult exercise equipment too. The park also has several sports fields, other playgrounds, off-leash dog areas, and extensive paths to explore.