Skaters in Ryde have hit back at Ryde Town Council’s closure of its seafront ramps after damage was caused by ‘vandals’.
Ryde Town Council announced the news that its popular skating facility will be closed until further notice after graffiti was spotted covering important safety signage. Damage to ramps and a large wall was also discovered during a routine inspection by maintenance teams.
The Council revealed that the wall on the perimeter of the skate park is having to be secured by additional supports, and will cost the Council a hefty sum to be repaired.
After posting the news to its Facebook page, a flurry of comments from users of the park were posted, with skates claiming that much of the damage was in fact down to general wear and tear, and partly due to the wooden construction of the park not being able to stand up to the constant use.
One commenter posted:
“How dare you attempt to paint such a negative picture of the users of this park, without even a single apologetic statement for the vast majority who treat it like their home.”
Another added:
“As a regular user of this park, I feel obliged to say that no one damaged the ramps they’re just rotting away due to lack of maintenance, and graffiti is completely permitted in the park.
Article continues below this advertisement “[Ryde Town Council] should stop trying to pin the parks decline on its users and start taking responsibility for their refusal to fund any facilities for the youth of this town.
“If the park was of a decent standard (concrete), there would be no need for maintenance and the youths would respect the space more. Because it’s constantly rotting no one respects it.”
Responding to the comments from skaters, representatives from Ryde Town Council stated that the damage referred to in its closure notice was ‘new’ and that the level of destruction necessitated the closure of the park.
A spokesperson commented:
“RTC regularly maintains the skatepark, does daily inspections and litter picks. This damage was discovered today during that inspection. It was fine previously. We already had a contractor on site this morning undertaking other repairs.
“Unfortunately, the damage done is not a quick fix and that necessitates the park being closed until it is made safe.”
So presumably this will be left an eyesore throughout the summer. Ok fine, but don’t start complaining about skate boarders all along the esplanade and car parks. Remember they have nowhere to go until further notice!Or you could just get it fixed. Or maybe somewhere safe for them to go isn’t important enough?By the way I’m 65. I tried skate boarding…….. Once!
no the bigger plan will be to build a block of high end flats. this and all other councils are a sad bunch of penny pickers
Typical council comments, I feel sorry for the young people who play daily in the park. Only to be closed due to Lack of funding, maintenance and upgrades.
Shame on you. And the comments it will cost a substantial amount of money lol its plywood for gods sake.
Don’t worry guys. With the top social programs I am sure the IoW council will provide a safe and fun alternative. I doubt they will take things away considering there is nothing to do there anyway…apart from drugs. A win for the Island as a whole 😀
The graffiti is part of there culture, which should be respected, even though it looks like an eyesore to older fuddy duddy’s,who think that the island is some sort of utopia, nothing but tea shops and green lawn bowling,dream on, the island is not your own personal theme park in which you chose to retire to, live and let live,ps I am 51, Hey live those kids alone!
Hopefully this culture will progress to a job and paying taxes.