From tiny tots to full-grown shredders, new skate parks in Thirroul and Wollongong could be new hubs for their local communities. Photo: Wollongong CBD.
Wollongong and Thirroul skate parks could become a reality after decades of campaigning.
After a lengthy consultation process MacCabe Park in Wollongong and WF Jackson Park in Thirroul have been determined as the preferred locations, and the community has been asked to weigh in.
If the project goes ahead the parks stand to receive significant grant funding and will become home to state-of-the-art, accessible facilities designed to be used by all members of the community.
Skater Jess Fraser told Wollongong City Council at its most recent public access forum the Thirroul park in particular was keenly needed, and the WF Jackson Park site offered a number of benefits.
“It’s family-friendly, underutilised and offers natural passive surveillance,” she said.
“I’m in my 40s; I skate with a group of my friends aged in our 40s and 50s; it’s an activity we can do with the children in our family.
“Thirroul is a community; we all recognise the kids – if I drive past that space and see kids doing something they shouldn’t I’m going to tell their parents.
“This space can be used from small children up to older people and creates a hub for local people to do the school drop-off, go to a cafe and sit and have a coffee.
“It benefits local businesses, encourages school drop-offs that aren’t car-based, gives teenagers somewhere to go that isn’t the steps in front of Coles and provides something for all age groups.”
Councillor Richard Martin said he appreciated the support for the site, as there were proponents for and against it.
He encouraged anyone curious about what skate parks could look like to check out Engadine’s new park.
Councillor David Brown said despite his ineptitude on a skateboard he was delighted to see the project progress.
“Let the record show I was never a good skateboarder, and as a goofy-footer I looked even worse than I was,” he said.
“This has a bit of history, and we’ve got a great deal of feedback telling us these are great sports and other people telling us we’re idiots.
“The truth is probably somewhere in between, but we all know young people enjoy skate parks and if we can do anything as good as Berkeley on these sites that’s really positive.”
Now the sites are open to public feedback, corflutes with artists’ impressions and QR links for detailed information will be put up on-site.
Councillor Dan Hayes encouraged anyone who supported the sites to get online and register their opinions, to prevent the project being delayed further.
“We have learnt with the northern suburbs there is no perfect location; each has its pros and cons,” he said.
“I am supportive of what’s been chosen and hope it is the final site, but I’m prepared for the naysayers to gather.
“For those who are supportive of it, please put in a submission that you want this to happen. You’ve got 21 days and it will just take a couple of minutes out of your day.”
To provide your opinion on the proposed skate park locations head to the council’s website, fill out a hard copy of the survey at any library, email [email protected], call 4227 7111, or write to ‘The General Manager, Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821 Wollongong, NSW, 2500’.
Alternatively if you’d like to have your say in person head to any of the following events: Let’s Talk pop-up: Crown Street Mall on Friday 7 November from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm; Let’s Talk pop-up: WF Jackson, Thirroul on Saturday 8 November from 9 – 11:30 am; Let’s Talk Corrimal on Wednesday 12 November from 4 – 6 pm; or Let’s Talk pop-up: WF Jackson, Thirroul on Friday 14 November from 3 – 5 pm.
