The time for Wollongong Skatepark is now
Today's op ed is by Ward 1 Greens Councillor Jess Whittaker
The NIMBY revolt against skateparks is nothing new in the Illawarra, with pop-up group “Friends of MacCabe Park” the latest to add a voice against creating community spaces for young people.
MacCabe Park in the heart of this city is drastically under-utilised. At any time on any given day, the park can be all but empty. For years it has been in desperate need of a project to activate its potential. This has never been so urgent as now, with the density of our city increasing at an astonishing rate.
For more than two decades, skateboarding enthusiasts – young and old – have been consulting with Wollongong City Council about constructing a skatepark in the Wollongong CBD. A widely advertised consultation yielded impressive figures in support of both Wollongong and Thirroul Skateparks. Of the 1700 respondents, only 14% disapproved of the meticulously selected site, with an overwhelming 86% being either very happy, happy or neutral.
MacCabe Park is a suitable site for multiple reasons, including its proximity to public transport and businesses in the CBD. Many young people keen to use a skatepark would rely on public transport, and would also plan to do other things like go for a meal while in town for a skate.
The recent emergency of the Friends of MacCabe Park continues outdated propaganda that skateparks bring trouble to areas. Well-maintained skateparks invigorate spaces and bring diverse people together. A skatepark would activate the CBD and make the park a safer space than it is currently, particularly if it was designed with lighting to extend use into the evening.
The argument the concrete for the construction of the skatepark would increase urban heat in the city has been addressed by council’s commitment to purchase and remove buildings and concrete from the park in coming years, starting with Pioneer Hall – which is already underway.
Tree planting and landscaping would also form part of the masterplan for the park and the skatepark project. A skatepark is an exciting opportunity to see the first part of a developing vision for MacCabe park delivered, as it is already funded and ready to go.
The studies have been done, the submissions have been made. Another attempt to add further delays to this overwhelmingly positive project is not in the community’s best interests.
Jess Whittaker is the Greens Ward 1 Councillor for the City of Wollongong.
