| City's youngsters get their skates on | |
|  | | The park is a hit with bikers and skaters |
| | Plymouth's new skate park is proving a huge success with the city's young skaters and bikers, who fought for years to have a 'home' of their own. |
| | | After years of being nagged for practicing their sport around the Plymouth Civic Centre, the city's skaters and bikers now have a specially made skate park to show off their skills in.
And, as the well known advert says, they're lovin' it!
The skate park in Central Park, which got its official opening on 3rd July 2004, is used by dozens of teenagers who fought for years for the facility to be built.
 | | A skater takes to the air! |
It has ramps and slopes, and is handily placed next to the Mayflower Centre.
The skaters say it's just what they wanted: "You don't see many kids on the streets now - they come here.
"It's great, and everyone gets along well," said Nathan, 12.
The £160,000 park was part funded by a £100,000 grant from Sport England - and already, it looks like money well spent.
Before the park was built, the city's bikers and skaters kept getting told off for using the streets - especially in the area around the Civic Centre and the Theatre Royal.
 | | The park is well used by local teenagers |
Councillor Peter Smith, who heads the sport, leisure and culture department at Plymouth City Council, paid tribute to the skaters for their efforts in making sure the park got off the ground.
"It's great to see so many young people get such enjoyment out of this.
"Many of them have worked very hard to help us build this great facility."
It's in stark contrast to the situation just up the road in Kingsbridge, where the town's skate park has been closed down.
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Article published: 4th July 2004
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