Morton Road Skate Park opens, targeted by vandals

A new southern suburbs skate park – part of an under-construction $3.5m sports hub – has been targeted by vandals just days after opening.

A new skate park in the southern suburbs has been targeted by vandals just days after opening.

The Morton Road Skate Park – part of the larger $3.5m sports and community hub due to open on the site later this year – opened at Christie Downs last week.

Just days later, park users found the skate bowl filled with an upturned wheelie bin, dirt and rubbish.

Onkaparinga Council Mayor Erin Thompson said it was disappointing to see a new community asset treated that way.

“But it was also great to see skate park users band together to help clean it up along with council staff,” Ms Thompson said.

The Morton Road reserve skate park opened at Christie Downs last week and within days vandals had filled the skate bowl with rubbish. Picture: City of Onkaparinga

“It’s heartening to know the vast majority of the community are taking pride in their new skate park, and we’ve been stoked with the overwhelming positive feedback from skateboarders, scooter and BMX riders alike since the opening.”

The park is the first stage to open as part of the yet-to-be-named hub which is being built with the support of tennis star Roger Rasheed’s Sports Foundation (RRSF).

Ms Thompson said the council is working to build a safe and welcoming culture at the skate park.

“This will only increase as construction on the wider hub is completed, lighting is installed, and RRSF’s life-changing programs create pathways for local youth,” she said.

The Morton Road skate park at Christie Downs. Picture: City of Onkaparinga

Work will now begin on multi-use tennis and netball courts, play spaces, a basketball half-court, irrigated lawns, public toilets and barbecue and shelter areas.

The hub was funded by $1.5m each from the council and State Government, with $400,000 form the Federal Government and $100,000 from RRSF.

Mr Rasheed said he hoped the hub would eventually become a go-to haven for local families.

“And a home for our Foundation’s life-changing sports coaching and mentoring programs for children from disadvantaged backgrounds,” he said.