A SKATE PARK has been opened thanks to the efforts of a community group.
Risca skate park, in the Ty-Sign area, has been re-opened by a 14-year-old boy, following nine years of determination by a community group.
The Play and Learn group is an independent community group, which are responsible for improvements made to the MUGA on site and are now planning further improvements to the area, with a renovation of the play area for small children.
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The group was the idea of youth worker, Zoe Davies, whose father, David Davies, was chairman before his death.
Ms Davies said: “I was inspired, because I grew up as a young person on the estate and was part of the original committee who set up the skate park.
“Over time the original park deteriorated, and the lack of safetly was beyond a joke. Trying to gain council support was virtually impossible, so we started this community group.”
The new skate park was revealed to the world on Saturday, with the winner of a local skating competition, 14-year-old Tyler Sansum, cutting the ribbon and Chris Evans MP – who brought his son along – giving a speech.
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Nearly 60 youngsters attended, with freebies being dished out, courtesy of local shop, Proline Skates, and skating companies from further afield.
“We didn’t want to make this political,” said Ms Davies.
“We felt it only fair to allow the kids to make the park their own and, by doing so, we give the kids a sense of empowerment and ownership, so they want to look after it.
“The need for a skate park has never gone away. Since the deteriorating, kids have used Risca Lidl’s loading bay and Risca Park, which isn't safe. We want to be inclusive, having a place where families can spend the day, no matter what age their children are.
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“There’s too many people for me to thank. Thank you to the Play and Learn group for their continued support. It’s a great tribute to David Davies who sadly didn’t get to see it open.”
The skate park is open seven days a week. It was designed by Sam Pulley and funded by the Risca Skate Park Appeal.
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