Western Distributor Underpass Skate Space
Help us find a better site
City of Sydney Skate Space
Last year the City of Sydney identified a possible site for a new skate park under the Western Distributor near Observatory Hill.
We investigated this site, but unfortunately we found it was not suitable. The reasons for rejecting it were many. It is too small, it is too close to people’s homes, and a great many pedestrians use it when they walk between Barangaroo and the northern part of the city, especially to the trains and buses at Wynyard. It would also conflict with the Kent Street cycleway.
The City of Sydney is committed to creating a skate space in central Sydney. We have been looking for a suitable site since Council’s 2006 Youth and Skate Facility Needs Study showed there are at least 2,000 potential skateboarders living within the City of Sydney, and about 56,000 living within 20 kilometres.
The City will continue to search for other sites. If you have any ideas about possible areas for a city centre skate park please let us know and we will investigate the location.
The City will keep you updated on our progress in the search for another site.
Background
In 2009, Council approved investigations into a potential skate space under the Western Distributor. After an initial feasibility study, on 2 November 2009 Council unanimously endorsed the development of a concept plan for community consultation.
Even before we began formal consultation, we found there was strong opposition to a skate park. There were concerns that the site was too small to provide skater interest and might lead to more illegal skating in the nearby Millers Point.
For those reasons, and the conflicts with pedestrians and the cycleway, Council determined the site was not suitable and decided not to go ahead with a concept plan or carry out formal public consultations.
The City has worked hard to improve conditions for skaters. In 2006, we opened the $600,000 redevelopment of the Waterloo Skate Park (Fernside), replacing the old metal half-pipe with a 920 square metre urban street plaza park, designed in consultation with local youth and skate boarders.
We upgraded the skate ramp at Federal Park Glebe in 2005, installed an informal plaza-style skate space in the renewed Redfern Oval in 2008. Last year we added a skate bowl to the older children’s play area at Ward Park in Surry Hills.
The City will continue working to find other spaces where skaters of all ages are welcomed, while safely and legally enjoying their sport.
More Information
For more information please contact:
Stephen Merchant
Landscape Architect
Tel: 02 9265 9333
Email: smerchant@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
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Last Updated: Wednesday 28 September, 2011
