An avid skateboarder has started a petition in a bid to bring more skating facilities to Old Coulsdon and Coulsdon.
Harry Clark, with his friend Jack Nelson, started an online petition two months ago to have an outdoor skate park installed, with possible venues including Grange Park, Coulsdon Memorial Ground and Rickman Hill Park.
Mr Clark believes the current outdoor skate parks on offer, such as Wandle Park in Croydon and the Rotary Field in Purley, are too far away, outdated and limited.
He said:
"There is definitely a lack of free outdoor facilities that are nearby.
I really like Skaterham, but it is an indoor skatepark which is only accessible to certain age groups at certain times of the week, and some age groups only get two sessions a week and you have to pay to get in. It's important to have free outdoor facilities for all age groups."
Friends of Grange Park, a charity which raises funds for park improvements, does not think a skate park would be a suitable addition.
Chairman Chris Wright:
"We really don't think it is appropriate in Grange Park for many reasons.
There's not going to be any room for it, even if it was considered appropriate. We have got football pitches in the park, and we also have the proposal for the perimeter path which will go right around the park. There are also the trees around the park. When we were planning the path, we had to consider the tree roots underneath because they extend a lot further than you would think."
Croydon Council have not heard of any further developments:
"Members of the public wanting to set up new community facilities in our parks and green spaces can approach council officers for advice, which may include how they might fundraise and any planning considerations.
Last December we met with, and advised, representatives from East and West Coulsdon residents' associations, who were exploring a new skate park for Rickman Hill Recreation Ground, but since then we have not heard of any progress on this idea."
For more information on the petition visit: www.change.org
