Popular Jarrahdale recreation area, Langford Park, will receive upgrades to its mountain bike trail network, signage and day use facilities courtesy of a $400,000 investment from Alcoa Australia marking the resources company’s 60th anniversary.

Langford Park has been managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and its predecessor agencies since 1975 and has mountain bike, walking and bridle trails, parking, toilets and barbecue facilities.

DBCA Assistant Director Parks and Visitor Services Rod Annear said Jarrahdale was a growing recreation destination making upgrades to some of Langford Park’s trails and facilities well-timed.

“Ecotourism and trails tourism is becoming increasingly popular and these improvements planned for Langford Park will ensure the area can meet current and future demand plus provide a top-class facility for Jarrahdale locals,” Mr Annear said.

"The need for upgrading and improvements to the Langford Park trails and facilities was identified in the 2017 Peel Regional Trails Strategy and in the 2018 Perth and Peel Mountain Bike Master Plan and the trails were identified as a priority location for trail development in the region.

“The upgrades will include improvements to existing trails including better drainage, trail re-surfacing, and improved trail features to make the network more sustainable and to enhance rider experience. 

“A dual use link trail from Langford Park to Jarrahdale will also be constructed to improve access to the site from the townsite.

“This will be complemented by new and improved directional and interpretive signage to aid wayfinding and tell the story of the area’s history, nature and culture, and improvements to some of the day facilities like picnic and barbecue areas.”

Alcoa Australia President Rob Bear said investing in an upgrade of Langford Park was a fitting community investment to mark the integrated bauxite miner and alumina and aluminium producer’s 60th anniversary.

“Langford Park is where an integrated aluminium industry in Australia and our Australian business was born,” Mr Bear said. 

“We started mining in Jarrahdale in July 1963 and since then, our business has delivered many benefits to the nation, state and local community. Today we employ about 4,500 people across Australia and each year spend about $2.3 billion with Australia businesses and pay about $255 million in government royalties and taxes.

“Throughout the last six decades, we have been recognised as leaders in environmental management and mine site rehabilitation and are committed to continuously reviewing and improving the way we operate.

"Helping to create Langford Park and now supporting a major upgrade demonstrates our commitment to restoring our former mining areas and adding value where we can.” 

Alcoa’s Jarrahdale bauxite mine operated between 1963 and 1998. Progressive rehabilitation occurred from 1966 to 2001 on the basis of the State’s rehabilitation requirements of the day and was recognised by the State with a Golden Gecko Award in 2007.

Langford Park trail maintenance volunteers and regular users Jeffery Phillips and Colin Chaytor welcomed the upgrade.

“This area is utilised not only as a mountain bike trail area but walking trail and barbeque areas,” Jeffery said. 

“The great thing about this park is you come here on a Saturday and Sunday and you see there’s lots of families, and kids and beginners out here. It’s a good area for anyone to come out and enjoy the bush.” 

Work on the Langford Park upgrade is expected to begin in the coming months and be largely completed by the end of 2023.