Meadowbank skate park to be home to skateboarders, scooters and more

SKATEBOARDER stereotypes of dubious, shifty characters have been smashed after parents and residents successfully backed a skate park to be built at Meadowbank Park.

Andrew Alcorn (far left) with son Ash (front), Cr Roy Maggio (second from left), Ben Drayton (third from right), Kendrick Thompson (second from right), Jonny Valenta (on bike). Picture: Phil Rogers

• Skate park to be at Eastwood or Meadowbank
• Skate park firms for Meadowbank

SKATEBOARDER stereotypes of dubious, shifty characters have been smashed after parents and residents successfully backed a skate park to be built at Meadowbank Park.

Ryde councillors voted unanimously last week to proceed with designing what the council calls an outdoor youth and family recreation space.

It will include a skate facility, table tennis, climbing and ball areas, parkour, a playground and picnic and barbecue areas.

The new space will be at the Constitution Rd end of the park.

Andrew Alcorn (far left) with son Ash (second from left), Cr Roy Maggio (third from left), Ben Drayton (third from right), Kendrick Thompson (second from right), Jonny Valenta (on bike). Picture: Phil Rogers

Young people have been lobbying for a dedicated venue to practise tricks on skateboards, scooters, and bicycles.

Skateboarder Ben Drayton was happy he and fellow supporters had overcome the stigma of the sport.

“It’s good to see a shift in awareness of what skateboarding is. It’s not something people should be scared of,” he said.

“This is a win for cultural change and shifting perceptions.”

Cr Roy Maggio championed the proposal and said the park would be a safe and exhilarating environment for children.

The skate park was not without its critics.

Some neighbours raised concerns including noise, increased traffic, policing, pedestrian safety and anti-social behaviour.

However a cross-section of residents which included a school principal, a soccer referees president and neighbours attended the meeting last week to vouch

for the project.

The council had earlier considered Eastwood Park in addition to Meadowbank, but consultants recommended the latter for its space and popularity for skating.

The detailed design of the skate park is still to come.

The council expects to call for tenders and choose one by next year.

This decision will determine when the skate park is due.