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Snells Beach skaters are asking Council for improvements at the park. Pictured, top row, from left, are Carl Knutson, Caleb Murray, Jonathan Bassett, Chris Luisdesouza and Drew Eaves. Front, from left, Elijah Newey, Drew Janssen, Troy Malofy and Kauri Morrison.
Paige Janssen
Skaters at Snells Beach are lobbying for an upgrade of the skate park in Goodall Reserve.
They have created a change.org online petition to have outdated equipment replaced.
They want the local community to “help get this park the update it deserves and let us further enjoy the park we grew up loving”.
The petition, which will be delivered to Auckland Council, has gathered 215 signatures in two months and aims to reach 500.
The skaters say that they would like more outdoor lighting, a shaded area during the summer months, a mini half pipe and a manual pad.
Drew Janssen, 15, who created the petition, says that the park improvements will benefit not only skaters but the wider community of Snells Beach.
“It will leave something for the younger generation. It is not just a place to skate but a place for the community to go to,” he says.
Troy Malofy, 18, says that the upgrade will also help combat the stigma against local skaters.
“When you say you are going to the skate park people just say ‘oh’ and assume you are up to no good,” he says.
“Having this recreational facility means that people aren’t wasting their time with criminal activity and are more likely to get a job to contribute towards society.”
Jonathan Bassett, 15, says that it would also encourage youth to do more outdoor activities.
“It will get people more active and give them something to do rather than just sitting inside. They can learn something new, stay out of trouble and make new friends,” he says.
One of the initiatives in the 2016/17 Rodney Local Board Annual Plan is to partner with the community to maintain the skate parks in Wellsford and Snells Beach, with money set aside for both communities.
The Goodall Reserve Skate Park was officially opened in August 2008 and was last updated in 2012 when the Board installed two small skate jumps.
To view the petition, go to: change.org/p/auckland-council-update-snells-beach-skatepark
