When five year seven students from a local school in Western Australia’s Town of Victoria Park went to Council with a request for a skateboard facility their request was taken seriously. A Community Needs Assessment, which Council had undertaken, had already indicated that there was a need for more facilities and services for young people.
To allay concerns that such a facility could lead to graffiti, vandalism and anti social behaviour, Council consulted with the community to find an appropriate venue. This had to be safe for users and have no negative impact on other residents and visitors.
Criteria for the facility’s location were established with the assistance of the Municipal Insurance Broking Services (MIBS), professional designers, other Local Government Authorities and the Office of Youth Affairs.
These included availability of trees and shade, access to public toilets, telephones and drinking water, and public transport, visibility of the site to the general public and proximity to other youth venues.
Catering for inline skating, skateboards and trick bikes, Executive Manager Technical Services, Alex Sheridan, said the facility has been well received and well used since its installation. “We have not had a single complaint since it was built,” he said. “The children using it take their turn and give every appearance of being very organised in the way they share it.
“Kids, of course, always want bigger and better, particularly in the early teenage years,” he said. “Therefore when we look at further development we will be looking to accommodate older users who require more of a challenge.”
For further information contact Executive Manager Technical Services Alex Sheridan, telephone (08) 9311 8138
