Australia's first longboard park
Did you know Australia has a claim to the World's first skateboard park? Many claim to be the first, usually the argument centres on two parks in the USA, California Skateboard City and Carlsbad Park. There was a skatepark created and skated in Albany Western Australia in 1975 (maybe early '76). In fact it still exists, and gets skated every day. So it would definitely have the be the oldest skatepark still in use, and probably was Australia's first skatepark.
Have a quick read of the history of Albany skatepark, and how it was created.
What's this all got to do with Australia's first longboard park?
I read that story, and thought these kids managed to organise themselves to build one of the world's first skateboard parks.
Longboarders number in the tens of thousands in Australia and we still do not have a park designed and built specifically for longboarding. Skate parks do not get created in Australia by some big skateboard association. We can not expect ASRA one day to announce they will build a park. Skateparks get built because skaters of all ages get together and fight old people in council meetings. They hassle the government so much they give in or at least listen.
So I am starting a discussion. The idea is to discuss making Australia's first longboard park or
roads specifically for longboarding. Lets talk about design, size, purpose, lobbying and funding.
Something like this can only be done if a group get together and make it happen.
Maybe we can create a framework/document, to help longboarders all over Australia to approach their local government to get something built in their area.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joe Campbell on
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woah yeah, whats up with that??
Ry said:
What's happened here? It's on the way yes? Where is this up to?
Someone (Hank's Place Australia) posts in this thread saying it's under development, and that it's coming... and people ignore it. I'm confused by this. Why are we not getting excited?..
Hank's Place Australia said:For those that have ever spoken to us you will know this has been in the planning for a couple of years by us. We are now in possession of a business plan for 3 x 1km downhill road sections that intertwine so the route can be changed and will be suitable for street luge and downhill with varying degrees of difficulty, (have fielded the question of length already Newtons is 1.3km probably fun enough for practise especially when the route can be changed) an indoor temperature controlled skate park, mtb track accommodation blocks camping ground and ablution blocks along with a full sport therapy and physical rehabilitation clinic. We have also added in a little persons adventure playground, fishing lake (catch and release) and a few things for mum's and skate widows.
The whole thing will sit in around 30 acres which we are looking to purchase in the next financial year (before christmas 2010).
I haven't been around much lately because putting this business plan together ready for release in August and planning our second clinic which opens in June in Surfers Paradise, prparing the Newton's 2010 package and planning the opening of a third clinic in Hervey Bay at Christmas has taken up a bit of time.....but it's on the way lads, it's on the way.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Jake Elliott on -
might be a good reason to move back to QLD :)
Hank's Place Australia said:
For those that have ever spoken to us you will know this has been in the planning for a couple of years by us. We are now in possession of a business plan for 3 x 1km downhill road sections that intertwine so the route can be changed and will be suitable for street luge and downhill with varying degrees of difficulty, (have fielded the question of length already Newtons is 1.3km probably fun enough for practise especially when the route can be changed) an indoor temperature controlled skate park, mtb track accommodation blocks camping ground and ablution blocks along with a full sport therapy and physical rehabilitation clinic. We have also added in a little persons adventure playground, fishing lake (catch and release) and a few things for mum's and skate widows.
The whole thing will sit in around 30 acres which we are looking to purchase in the next financial year (before christmas 2010).
I haven't been around much lately because putting this business plan together ready for release in August and planning our second clinic which opens in June in Surfers Paradise, prparing the Newton's 2010 package and planning the opening of a third clinic in Hervey Bay at Christmas has taken up a bit of time.....but it's on the way lads, it's on the way.
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Permalink Reply by Fish Leicester on
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I know someone earlier mentioned Canberra's Stromlo Forest Park as being a potential location for a DH skating park. This is actually possible for a number of reasons:
1. Stromlo is already home to extensive MTB trails, and hosts various world-cup events each year. They have funding behind them. They want to begin hosting more DH MTB competitions, but as most DH bikes weigh a lot, they're looking at a lift to the top of the mountain.
2. It's very evident that Stromlo Forest Park is supposed to be very diverse in its uses: They have a multitude of MTB tracks, equestrian tracks, a massive, grassy cross-country running track, and an asphalt circuit for road bikes made with the most smooth and fine asphalt you have ever felt.
3. Road bike cyclists have been whining about how they need a track to practice descents, which, if built, will be surfaced as the truck mentioned above and will also be a great spot for some DH skating.
4. Stromlo Forest Park has a lot of funding surrounding it. Look at this article, if you need to realise how valuable Stromlo Forest Park is: http://www.stromloforestpark.com.au/documents/MIN68_0210Worldmounta...
There's also heaps of talk about extensions and future plans. If anywhere, I think Stromlo is very likely to be able to accommodate a DH track, even if it is more officially made for road bikes. At the moment a lot of funding is also going into Canberra's new Arboretum (which, come to think of it, has some AMAZING roads running down hills itself, however rough the surface may be), but with a little persuasion, funding could be turned to a shared, closed road running down Mt. Stromlo. Remember that because of our size, the ACT is a very wealthy state in terms of funding put into development, making it a great place to start. Our election is next year and the politician who's been in power for a while has stepped down, so like someone mentioned, getting a written promise could well be possible.
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Permalink Reply by Alex Marriott on
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a park at stromlo would be awesome....
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by PC on -
Stromlo would be ideal. plenty of amenities there already. Get the wheels rolling again Fish.
Fish Leicester said:I know someone earlier mentioned Canberra's Stromlo Forest Park as being a potential location for a DH skating park. This is actually possible for a number of reasons:
1. Stromlo is already home to extensive MTB trails, and hosts various world-cup events each year. They have funding behind them. They want to begin hosting more DH MTB competitions, but as most DH bikes weigh a lot, they're looking at a lift to the top of the mountain.
2. It's very evident that Stromlo Forest Park is supposed to be very diverse in its uses: They have a multitude of MTB tracks, equestrian tracks, a massive, grassy cross-country running track, and an asphalt circuit for road bikes made with the most smooth and fine asphalt you have ever felt.
3. Road bike cyclists have been whining about how they need a track to practice descents, which, if built, will be surfaced as the truck mentioned above and will also be a great spot for some DH skating.
4. Stromlo Forest Park has a lot of funding surrounding it. Look at this article, if you need to realise how valuable Stromlo Forest Park is: http://www.stromloforestpark.com.au/documents/MIN68_0210Worldmounta...
There's also heaps of talk about extensions and future plans. If anywhere, I think Stromlo is very likely to be able to accommodate a DH track, even if it is more officially made for road bikes. At the moment a lot of funding is also going into Canberra's new Arboretum (which, come to think of it, has some AMAZING roads running down hills itself, however rough the surface may be), but with a little persuasion, funding could be turned to a shared, closed road running down Mt. Stromlo. Remember that because of our size, the ACT is a very wealthy state in terms of funding put into development, making it a great place to start. Our election is next year and the politician who's been in power for a while has stepped down, so like someone mentioned, getting a written promise could well be possible.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Dave M on -
I have had some communication with the ACT government and the planers for Stromlo Forest Park over the last few years.
The plan has penciled in a road cycling course that incorporates a signifficant hill climb up the Western side of the mountain.
They have indicated that this will be made availible to longboarding and luge.
The only problem is that this is not high on there priority list at the moment and may still be some time off yet.
As cylist get road closures in Canberra as often as they like it will probably be longer away than we hope.
on other plus if this happens is the chair lift from the bottom of the hill back to the top that they also are planing for the mountain bikes.
looking at the master plan now it is listed as 23 on the map but not very clear.
http://www.stromloforestpark.com.au/documents /STROMLOFORESTPARKDRA...
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by PC on -
Thanks for the update on Stromlo Dave. Hope to catch up with you soon.
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Permalink Reply by Jake Day on
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That sounds so wicked, I'm glad I moved to canberra and hope it gets here soon haha
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Permalink Reply by Kanufi on
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If cadel Evans wins the tour de France, Stromlo should be seeing a cash injection for there hill.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Cat Sweeny on -
As long as he doesnt fall off, he's won, because there is no challenging the Yellow Jersey for the final stage into Paris. =)
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maybe try looking into finding someone wtih a property on a hill that will let you built one one their land?
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