New skate park in use

I stopped by the new skate park at Gurnell the other day to see that it is now finished and in use. It looks great. A few skateboarders and some bmx guys were around. I thought that I’d add the picture below (forgive the Photoshop effect of being double)

Construction starting

Just to let you know that the Skatepark was approved by the Planning Department on Wednesday 18th May.

Freestyle have been contracted to start the construction this coming Monday 23rd May and are contracted to complete at the end of July, before the Summer holidays.

As far as I can gather, the planning has approved floodlighting, so it will be a true all-year-round facility!!!

Build it and they will come!!!

Now we need to plan a big opening event for early August to put it on the map and start putting coaching programmes in place. Unfortunately, I am out of the country on a long job and need all the volunteers possible to plan these elements.

If you have the time and willingness to help organise the Opening Skate Jam or to arrange coaching programmes, please contact me as soon as possible, campaign at westealingskatepark.net !

Thanks, Piers

Progress

Just to say that the skatepark is going ahead. The council has appointed Freestyle to design and build the skatepark.
http://www.freestyleramps.com/

The timetable is design for the next 3 weeks, then 12 weeks planning and build to open for July 2010.

So I am writing to let you know that there is a crucial design meeting happening
Thursday 3rd Feb 5pm

It will be happening at Perceval House, please meet at the Staff Entrance which is on Longfield Avenue. If yoiu want to attend please let me know as I need to know numbers so the Council can book the right size of room.(Ealing, London W5 2HL)

Please, please make it down. This is your chance to shape the skatepark in your own image!!!

Regards

Piers

Upcoming council meeting

The Labour Party has called in a scrutiny committee meeting:
Thursday 18th March 2010
Ealing Town Hall, Committee Room 3, 7pm

We need everyone there!! The opposition are organising and we need to show a presence.

Add your weight to the planning application

This is an absolutely crucial point in the planning for the skatepark!!!!

If you want this skatepark there are two pieces of action you need to take immediately!!!! The people opposing the skatepark are making their objections to the skatepark already, both through planning and through the use of a Village Green Application.

The opposition have chosen to ignore the majority in favour of a skatepark, as shown by the consultation, and instead they think they know best. We mustn’t let them win – please take the following action immediately.

Upcoming public forum

Here is the date for the upcoming public forum. We need as many people there as possible, especially kids!!!

Piers will kick it off by presenting the campaign. Then the design will be presented. We will have a panel of experts all involved in Skateboarding or In-line.

It will be held on Thurs 24th Sep, 7-9pm. Oaklands Primary School, Oaklands Avenue W7.
www.oaklands-primary.co.uk

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=515848&Y=179722&A=Y&Z=110

Hope to see you there.

Design meeting

Just to remind you of the design meeting.

Meeting will be at 9.45am outside the Council Building, main entrance Longfield Avenue off Uxbridge Road.

The meeting will have 2 parts:

First, a look at potential designs and a discussion.

Secondly, drawing up a code of conduct for the park and thinking about a logo or identity for the park.

Nice one. See you there, Piers

Questionnaire result from Ealing web site

Hundreds of residents have voiced their support for a new skate park to be built in Elthorne Park, Hanwell.

Ealing Council is planning to spend £200,000 on a skate park for the borough after a residents’ survey highlighted more people think there should be additional facilities for youngsters. The council has been consulting residents on the proposals after Elthorne Park, Boston Road, was identified as a suitable location.

Results reveal 67% of all repondents are in favour of the skate park being built on the park site. More than 2,800 questionanires were sent out to residents living in the immediate area around the park. Over 700 people responded to the paper questionnaire and 61.9% said they wanted the skate park in Elthorne Park. Out of the 405 people who shared their views online, 76.3% agreed.

Those in favour of the skate park said it would encourage exercise and healthy living, it gives young people something to do and creates a place to skate away from busy roads and pedestrians.

Councillor Phil Taylor, Cabinet Member for Customer and Community Services, said: “I’m pleased to see that so many people chose to have their say on the plans. It’s important for us to get feedback from residents and the council will now consider this information before making a final decision. There are also a number of design options to consider to address concerns such as noise and security.”

The results of the consultation will soon be available to view online. The council will now carry out work on the design for the site and the council will also have to apply for planning permission.

Two meetings coming up

Just wanted to let you know of some provisional dates which are absolutely crucial to the campaign. These events are open, but please contact me as soon as possible if you plan to attend as I need to get an idea of numbers.

Saturday 12th September, 10am – 1pm
Park Design Presentation and Design of Park Identity

Part 1:
Jeremy Donaldson and Marc Churchill will present several worked-up designs, the Design Group will feedback on what you think of the designs.

Part 2:
Equally important!!!
The Design Group will draw up ideas for a Park identity. A logo and look, but also a code of conduct. This code of conduct will be visible and prominent throughout the park.

The Youth Committee will be presenting the code of conduct at a Public Forum a couple of weeks later.

Week beginning 21st Sep OR Week beginning 28th Sep
with a preference for 22nd, 23rd, 29th or 30th

Open forum to present the skate park and for question and answer session.

I will be presenting the history and ideas behind the skate park.
Jeremy and Marc will be presenting the design of the skate park.
The Youth Committee will be presenting the code of conduct that was drawn up of Sep 12th
We will have various people representing the skate, in-line and BMX bodies.
Horsham Council will hopefully be sending someone to talk about their very positive experience of building a skate park.
Our local community police team will be there to speak about the benefits of the park in terms of anti-social behaviour.

If there is anyone you would like to inform about these dates, please forward it to me as soon as possible.

Please contact me if there are any problems. I need as many people present as possible!!!

Piers

Another Council opinion poll

Please give your contribution to the consultation. Remember that normally all the negative voices shout louder than those in favour!!!

WE NEED TO BALANCE THEM OUT !!!!!!

Please read the Council’s consultation document, and then …

Please visit the following link and complete the questionnaire:
http://www.ealing.gov.uk/services/council/consultations/current_consultations/skate_park/_docs_and_survey_files/_rc_template.htm

Tell as many friends as possible to do the same.

Good luck, Piers