Beenleigh Funbox Bitumen Sample
SUBMISSION TYPE: Donation
The bitumen funbox, also known as ‘Joanna’ to some locals, was constructed at the south end of Beenleigh BMX Park as part of the early 90s expansion under the supervision of Logan City Council worker, long-time member, and Beenleigh BMX Club track director Doug Larsen.
The funbox site late 1991. Image: Jason Batchelor.
The dirt foundation was laid and shaped around June / July of 1992, with the bitumen laid soon after. The Park was fitted out with safety signage and markings as park of new council regulations and the entire funbox was painted in its iconic safety yellow.
The dirt foundation of the funbox, June 1992. Image: Kieran Mitchell.
The completed funbox with yellow safety paint at Riders Comp 1 - July 1992.
Travis Turesson and Jase Aitken during practice at Rider’s Comp 1. Image: Michael Canfield.
With further upgrades to the park around 1999 / 2000, the funbox was resurfaced which changed the shape of the original transitions.
Image: Unscene History.
In July 2019 the funbox was demolished as part of the Logan City Council’s refurbishment of Beenleigh BMX Park. This sample of the funbox was put aside for the ABMXFA by the Logan City Council demolition crew who pulled up the park’s bitumen surface.
Image: Unscene History.
The funbox existed for 27 years and was considered a staple obstacle to learn lip tricks and park competition of the 90s. It was featured in many Australian BMX videos and magazine publications during that time.
The newly refurbished Doug Larsen Park in 2020. The new metal funbox is in close proximity to where the old bitumen funbox was located.
This sample is an excellent example of the long history of the funbox, with the safety yellow paint sandwiched in between the 1992 original bitumen and the resurfacing of the park in the new millennium prior to the Beenleigh BMX Stunts Association era of the early 2000s.
This sample is the only known intact piece of the funbox to exist today and is now a part of the Australian BMX Freestyle Archive.