Skateboarders may get easier ride in new park

3:58pm Tuesday 13th March 2001

Rough rides could be a thing of the past for skateboarders, if new facilities are provided for them in Wandle Park.

Skateboarders have been pressing Croydon Council over the years for a place to skate by sending petitions requesting a designated park in Croydon.

The £40,000 skate park will be a free facility open to users from dawn to dusk but will be locked before sunset, with the added deterrent of 6ft railings to prevent the park from becoming an area of undetected accidents and crime.

Plans to build the skate park on the site of old tennis courts are being delayed whilst the current demand for tennis courts is assessed, before planning permission is given.

Funding for a roof has not yet been provided but will be sought if the park proves to be successful.

The new skate park may have come just in time for weary skateboarders in the town.

Skateboarder Karen Willmer said: “While we were skateboarding by the Fairfield we were stopped by this old lady with a walking stick who said behave yourself, go home and stop causing trouble', and I felt really annoyed. I was with a friend at the time and I was on my way home.”

The A-level student added: “How many times have you heard the words that children should get out more rather than watch television?”

A spokesman for the council said: “The public have a perception that skateboarders are the cause of vandalism, specifically graffiti, which they see as part of youth culture.”

The council admits young people are currently underrepresented in park provision but its plan to build the new skate park is part of a package of provisions being set up for young people in the borough.

He added: “The council has no intention of stopping activities at the Fairfield.”

Mr Kaddell forecast the park's opening for late spring but half pipe skate ramps are currently available in Ashburton Park, Canterbury Road Recreation Ground, Purley way Playing fields and Upper Norwood Recreation Ground.