Children build their lockdown skate park

While you’ve been in front of the computer in your pyjamas during lockdown, the Bell family in Matakana has been building a skate park in their driveway.

Nina, 7, and Woody, 6, have been learning how to knock wood pallets into various projects in their garage with their dad, Reece.

They’ve already built a quarter pipe, a ramp, a rail and a wedge out of plywood and pallets.

So far all the materials have been collected and recycled from building sites, where Reece has worked making driveways.

“We try not to buy anything for what we build, using only rescued materials. All of this would have been thrown in the garbage,” Reece says.

However, their latest project – a 5m wide and 1.5m tall half-pipe – will necessitate acquiring some extra supplies.

Nina and Woody are fundraising for the project by selling sacks of firewood, as well as golf balls, for $10 at the end of Tamahunga Drive, at the intersection with Matakana Road.

The firewood has come from felled trees from properties of family friends, as well as the odd bit of wood the kids have picked up at the beach or in the bush.

The children have been helping Reece to split and bag the wood and have been drawing pictures on the sacks including messages such as ‘keep warm’ and ‘stay safe’.

The Bells have begun selling in earnest as restrictions have lifted and have plenty more wood for those interested.

The ever-growing skate park that sprung up on Tamahunga Drive caught the attention of locals on their walks during lockdown.

“A lot of the kids’ friends from Matakana School have been asking if they can come around and try it out, and we’ve said sure – once lockdown is over,” mum Jodie says.

The children have learned a lot of new moves on their boards since lockdown began, including drop-ins, tic tacs, ollies, 180s and fakies.

Reece competed in skateboarding competitions when he was a child and decided the quarantine was the perfect time to pass on his skills to his children.

Following practice in the driveway, Woody is planning to enter the junior category of the Mangawhai Bowl Jam next year.