Skateboard Park closure grinds gears of the local skate community

Tuesday 09 January 2018

Members of the local skate scene have hit out at negative stereotypes, which they feel may have fuelled a recent decision to close the New North Quay Skateboard Park.

Ports of Jersey closed the facility following a number of incidents alleged to have put both skatepark users and members of the public at risk, including a number of “near misses” involving vehicles and skate park users.

They also described incidents in which concrete blocks, scooters, bikes and skateboards had been thrown into the marina. 

The most recent incident, which took place on 29 December, saw four youths recorded on CCTV leaving the park and climbing onto the roofs of the nearby warehouse buildings, which are currently undergoing maintenance. 

Pictured: Four people caught on camera attempting to access the roof area of the New North Quay warehouses.

Users of the area – many of whom are in their teens – were given an advance warning in the form of a notice sign, but after this most recent disturbance, Ports of Jersey took action last week.

In a statement, they said that the facility would remain closed “until such time as it can be confident that the entire area can be kept safe.” The authority also pledged £50,000 to assist with relocating the park as part of a “long-term solution” and pledged to work on the move with key stakeholders such as States Members and the Jersey Youth Service.

Despite this, members of the skate community have hit back at the decision, with many arguing that their enjoyment has been spoilt by the actions of a very small minority. They say that they feel their community is ostracised, and that they feel as if they have been looked upon as delinquents by authorities.

Pictured: A previous warning sign at the site.

Harry (16), who says he has been to the skate park “pretty much every day for two years”, told Express that he was disappointed that Ports had not engaged with members of the skating community before making their decision.

“I think it’s a joke. We now don’t have anywhere to go skate, cause (sic) we’ll get arrested… All us skaters ain’t done nothing wrong… We all respect the park, as it’s a second home for all of us,” he commented. 

“No one understands the culture of skating and what we’re about. They all just think were all a bunch of drug taking criminals.” 

Video: The island's young skaters practicing their moves at the park in summer 2017. (LMFPvids/YouTube)

The truth, Harry says, is that the atmosphere in the park is one of friendly collaboration, and that skating provides “something productive you can do with your homies, instead of sitting inside playing video games.” 

“What I like about skating is the feeling you get after you've tried a trick for hours and then finally get it and how close all skaters are everyone looks out for each other and we all skate and chill together no matter what age, I'm 16 and some of my best mates are in their 20s and have become my best mates through skating.”

James Golding (43), who has “skated on and off for 30-odd years”, feels similarly. 

Pictured: James showing that you can enjoy skateboarding at any age.

“Skateboarders have always been frowned upon and things seem to get worse. When I skated in the 80s, we had a decent amount of parks and places to go,” he recalls. 

James often visits the skate park early in the mornings when it’s empty, and was also frustrated to see that Ports had closed the facility, rather than find an alternative solution like installing CCTV. 

He also feels that the absence of a skate park altogether will cause more problems than having one – even with its issues.

Video: An empty New North Quay Skateboard Park following its closure by Ports of Jersey.

Like Harry, James welcomes Ports’ £50,000 offering, but expresses some concern over how far the money will stretch. Harry is cautious that a new build should avoid wood, as it can rot.

One solution would be James’ indoor idea - a pay-per-use indoor skatepark at Fort Regent. “I’m sure people would volunteer to help run such a place – I would.”

He’s also encouraging States and Ports officials to look to the mainland for inspiration. “[They] should look at the skate park Mount Hawke in Newquay which is a charitable non-profit organisation and is a brilliant set up which I visit every year. I am sure with a little investment something similar could be done here.”

Early last year, the First Tower Community Association put forward plans for a facility at St Andrew’s Park, “…but that’s gone quiet and I doubt will ever get done,” James says.

Above all, the pair, much like the rest of the community, would be more than happy if simply given their old park back.