Skating towards an outcome

Leichhardt is one step closer to a new skate park facility, after an overwhelming turnout of youth at June’s Council meeting demonstrated the high level of support for such an initiative.

Councillors unanimously reconfirmed their support for the ‘Teenzone’ project, which aims to provide new outdoor facilities for young people throughout the Leichhardt Local Government Area (LGA).

A Facebook petition has attracted nearly 500 signatures in support of a skatepark for the area.

The ‘Teenzones’ program is primarily aimed at addressing the area’s lack of recreational provision for teenagers, and is modelled on a similar, successful, model in the UK. A number of teenage speakers argued the construction of a skatepark would decrease anti-social behaviour, by giving youths reason to ‘get active’.

Some concerns were expressed about the potential location, notably in terms of placing it too near residential areas. However, these were balanced by the strength of support for the proposal, particularly concerns over safety and ease of accessibility for Five Dock Skate Park, a popular alternative venue.

Possible venues for the park include Pioneers Memorial Park, Mort Bay Park, Shields Playground, Gladstone Park, Leichhardt Park, Callan Park, Lambert Park, Hawthorne Canal Reserve, or Whites Valley Creek Park.

The proposed park within the LGA is recommended to be of ‘regional size’, with recommendations on suitable locations to be developed in consultation with young people.

A preferred location for the skate park is envisaged to be brought back to the September Council meeting.