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Forum topic: A skatepark for Broomfield Park?

A skatepark for Broomfield Park?

PGC Webmaster

09 Mar 2021 00:03 #5926

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lets build a skatepark in broomfield park

Two years ago Palmers Green resident Joseph, then aged 14, wrote a highly personal and persuasive letter to his local councillors suggesting that young people would greatly benefit from a skate park in Broomfield Park. A group of local parents have now begun a campaign to fulfil Joseph's vision and have launched an online petition. Friends of Broomfield Park have said that they would welcome a feasibility study and more detailed proposals and will be interested to hear what their members and other local residents think about the idea.

"The impact of skateboarding on mental health is phenomenal"

In his letter Joseph wrote frankly about feeling lonely and detached since moving to Palmers Green, finding going out of the house nerve wracking in view of the high incidence of violence and muggings in the area. He contrasted this with his experience growing up in an area with a worse record for muggings but where the availability of a skatepark had allowed him to develop relationships with other young people and feel safer:

"When I was younger, I lived in Finsbury Park – the most dangerous area in Islington according to the Metropolitan Police, with the statistic of 54 muggings in a single month. Despite this data, when I was younger (around 9-12 years old) I would never have guessed it. The reason why, is because every day when I came back from school, I would take my skateboard and bring it to the local skatepark and talk to people significantly older than me and ask them how to do certain tricks; this allowed me to develop relationships with people in the local area, making me feel safer walking around, as I recognised and knew a lot of the people.

"Not only will this skatepark bring teens together, but the impact of skateboarding on the mental health of people is phenomenal. The reason for this, is that it is such a good de-stresser; say you have had a long day at work or have been revising a lot for an upcoming exam, learning something new/ landing a new skateboard trick releases a lot of dopamine and fills you with satisfaction every time you land that trick, making you more relaxed.

"Overall, I believe this skate park is the best way forward for the youth in the Palmers Green area as it will be a good meeting point and will keep young people occupied and away from petty crime."

"A huge effort"

The petition, in the name of a group called Skatepark for Broomfield Park, has so far gained 385 signatures.The organisers realise that getting the skatepark built will take work:

"We need to show wider community support to present to Enfield Council so they can make a business case for it. We know it will be a huge effort to realise this dream, but this is the starting point. Led by young local skater Joseph, please sign the petition if you are in favour."

"More solid proposals"

Friends of Broomfield Park chair Kim Lumley has issued a statement on the FoBP Facebook page:

"I have been asked by committee members to make it clear that while FoBP enthusiastically welcome new initiatives for young people in the Park we have so far given our support to a feasibility assessment for this project.

"Before publicly supporting the project itself we will need to see the outcome of the feasibility and more solid proposals of the form and extent and make use of this to further consult our members. We will be keen to see the outcome of the petition and comments on this site.

"I should add that we have been very impressed with Joseph's presentation and the enthusiasm and approach of the group and wish them well."



The petition: Lets build a skatepark in Broomfield Park!

We are a small group of local parents and park users living in N13 and surrounding areas who feel Broomfield Park would greatly benefit by having a skatepark built. We dearly love this park but there are not enough facilities for youth of all ages to enjoy. The benefits of skateboarding are huge and with the inclusion in this year's Olympics, its popularity looks set to soar. Since lockdown its popularity has massively increased, including among girls. 

Local skateboarder Joseph (aged 16) explains: 

"As a passionate skater, I have made friends from all walks of life and all ages, through merely rolling around a skatepark on my board. Skating is a fun, exciting and healthy way of meeting people. As a teenager in today’s world, where so much socialising is done online, I feel distant from my peers, there isn’t much to connect us in real life.

"Skateparks are a great way to bring people together. When I lived in Finsbury Park,  I was friends with such a large number of people whom I met at the skatepark. This made me feel safe and motivated me to go out every day, meet people and improve on my skating.

"After the the isolating effect of the COVID-19 lockdowns, I feel a skate park would be a perfect way of re-animating the community and uniting the youth."

The skatepark will be a professionally designed concrete park with areas for all levels and abilities.

We need to demonstrate wider community support for this plan. If you agree please help us by signing this petition which we will present to Enfield Council. 

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A skatepark for Broomfield Park?

Bill Linton

11 Mar 2021 12:19 #5927

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While I think it is a great idea for the youngsters to get together, hone their motion skills and have fun, I do have one caveat - the noise. Skate boarders occasionally use the (not very challenging) bits of hard-standing (with a few steps) in front of Palmers Green URC to hone their skills, and the repetitive rumble-click-crash can get irritating.
I expect design can mitigate that to an extent, and placement in the park will be important, but we don't want to drive away the other park users who like peace and quiet.

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A skatepark for Broomfield Park?

Deborah Dalgleish

11 Mar 2021 15:59 #5930

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I could not agree more - I am very nervous about the loss of green space to concrete and metal in the first place - where could this go which would not take away space from other park users? And I fear there would be an issue with noise, as there has been in any other skate park facility I have observed. Users are also likely to want to play music which will then be imposed on any other park users in the vicinity. I accept how hard this last year has been for teenagers and children, and how important it is to support their mental health and social skills. But the park already provides that support for the whole community, not for one section of it. There are already selfish individuals who subject park users to the noise of remote control cars on the courts or in the empty pond, and others who play music or shout into their phones. Keeping the level of intrusive noise down in our green spaces is vital to enable the community as a whole to benefit. There must be a better location for something likely to be as visually and audibly intrusive as a skate park.

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A skatepark for Broomfield Park?

Christie Wagland

18 Mar 2021 17:58 #5936

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The spot in mind in the park, just by the children’s play area, in front of the concrete spectator seating, has been chosen especially with noise in mind, and doesn’t infringe on any of the protected green spaces. In fact, it’s alway been a sports field!
I think it’s a wonderful idea, there’s precious little for the youth in Palmers Green and it’s a family area after all.
Skaters are always so kind to one another, always patient with younger skaters and happy to help with teaching tips. We’ve always had such a good experience in the various skateparks around London.
There’s not one I can think of in the whole of Enfield, the skatepark on the A10 is ancient & going anyway, as they’re extending the cemetery. A real crying shame for young people in Enfield, especially as it’s now an Olympic sport..
The following user(s) said Thank You: John Phillips

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A skatepark for Broomfield Park?

Nicola Scott

19 Mar 2021 06:33 #5937

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It would be lovely to see this facility in the park Teenagers/youth should be considered park users just as much as any other age group but don't have anything specific offered there. Yet adults are often quick to feel threatened or complain if young people are perceived to be "just hanging around". The. location is appropriate and is where the noise, such as it is, can be accommodated. A skatepark can be a hub for positive social interactions and community as most famously the South Bank one demonstrated. As an over 60 park user I would look forward to seeing the skills being practiced. Just as I do the personal training that currently takes place on the steps

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A skatepark for Broomfield Park?

N Morris

22 Mar 2021 09:32 #5940

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I took my 2 year old to Lloyd Park, Walthamstow at the weekend so he could use his scooter on the skater park (the park has a novice section and more advanced section). It was fantastic. It wasn’t noisy or ugly (it was actually ringed for the most part by a tall hedge). What previous commentators said is true that all age groups were using it and there was so much consideration and respect shown by users to each other. As well as learning to take turns, respect others, take risks, follow a circuit, improve a skill, he also kept shouting to me ‘Mummy this is so much fun!!!!!!’. The proposed location of this seems sensible and good design should deal with other concerns. I’m all for it.

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A skatepark for Broomfield Park?

Rubuen Singh

26 May 2021 11:11 #6002

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Hi I'm a skateboarder who lives in the area. To give some perspective, being a skateboarder in london is quite challenging: the ground is rough, the rainy weather is always an issue but most importantly the facilities are terrible. I live in PG but am forced by its lack of facilities to trek to Camden if I want to skate a decent skatepark. I understand that skateboarding can be a audibly intrusive thing for some people however the skateboarding community in PG is growing and growing and without a skatepark in the area we are forced to use public spaces (side roads, carparks) which I sense is creating a greater disturbance than if there was a skatepark in Broomfield park.

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A skatepark for Broomfield Park?

Rubuen Singh

26 May 2021 11:29 #6003

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Another thing. I want to emphasise that I understand why some of the community (specifically the elderly) are not fond of skateboarders. To non-skateboarders, the activity is seen as rebellious for its harm on the urban environment (stairs, benches), its inevitable loud noise and its unpredictability. When these people see a skateboarder who is dedicated and passionate about skateboarding, they don't see these positive qualities but instead they see menaces to society, they see rebellion, they see "anti-social behaviour" and are blind to the art form and creative passion that it is. Hand on heart, I can honestly say the skateboarding community is one of the most accepting and supportive out there and is a very healthy, positive lifestyle that has helped distract and revert SO MANY people from going down the wrong path in life. Lastly, the notion that skateboarders are drug addicts is completely false as skateboarders do no more drugs than the common adult.

Skateboarding is a great way to express yourself and it has taught me lots of important life skills and lessons about perseverance, courage, design, individuality, expression and determination. We spend hours/days/weeks/months/years trying to perfect our abilities and because of this determination, we will succeed in our goal of getting a skatepark built in the area.
The following user(s) said Thank You: John Phillips, David Berkovitch

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