Wheels rumble as skateboards flow back and forth on the ramps of a small skate park tucked away in a corner of Birkenhead War Memorial Park.
On this grey-cast afternoon, more than half a dozen children, aged from 11 to 15, whiz past, often tumbling and picking themselves up for
another go. The skateboarders love their park but it has definitely seen better days.
"These ramps here are 20 years old." says adult skateboarder Poul Evans. " These are originally wooden ramps and what they did is they just poured concrete straight over the top of them. It's adequate but if you go to Victoria Park right now, there are 10, maybe, 20 times as many kids using that place."
Mr Evans, a web-graphic designer from Albany, has been skateboarding for about 15 years. His 11-year-old son is also into the sport.
What frustrates him is the absence of a decent skate park on the North Shore similar to Victoria Park's or the Sir Barry Curtis Skatepark which opened in 2010.
"The city's got it. The south has got it but North Shore city's just... you know?," he shrugs.
There are other small community skate parks around the North Shore but Mr Evans says they are not enough. "Another good example is Browns Bay. They put a big ramp there and and put some obstacles around the side but that's smaller than your average household section. There are 200 plus kids going there in the weekend. It's too busy," he says.
Mr Evans looks at the boys cramped in the small skate park.
Mr Evans posted a comment about the issue on Mayor Len Brown's Facebook page, generating more than 100 likes and around 70 replies. The response, prompted the mayor to promise to look into it.
"Hooten Reserve in Albany is getting a purpose-built skate park, extending the existing skate bowl and youth facility area. It will have a second more challenging bowl, street skate tricks area, shelter, drinking fountain, seating and other equipment," the mayor posted. "Consent has been obtained and work will start in the next six months." .
The smaller Collins Park facility in Greenhithe, aimed at the local youth, will also include a street skate tricks area and youth play equipment.
Other skateboarders have expressed support for Mr Evans' proposal.
"One of the big issues that skaters face is the weather. Skating in the rain is less than ideal to say the least, so either incorporated into a major park/plaza or as a separate arena. It would be brilliant to have an all-weather sheltered or completely indoor facility," says Mike Thornton, who owns a skate shop.
The boys at Birkenhead also have their own wish list.
"This is my local one and I get a lot of use out of it," says 11-year-old Bryce. "But the Victoria Park one is really really good. We need one like that but there also has to be a place for beginners."
His friend Lee, also 11, wants a mini-ramp. "Everyone's going to Orewa for it," he says.
Mr Evans notes skateboarding is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States.
"There hasn't been a skate park built that wasn't successful," he says.
Shore breeds skaters
Mike Thornton says skateboarding and sale of merchandise is huge on the Shore.
"We have thousands of skate customers coming through our doors, and we're just one shop," says the Cheapskates Takapuna store owner.
He says North Shore is also home to some of the best names in New Zealand skating, among them Nick Lister, Mike Bancroft and Tommy Flynn.
"Adam MacLennan is a Shore rider, and has his own brand. Former pro rider Andrew (Morri) Morrison - one of the most important and influential personalities in the NZ skate scene has his major skate brand distribution business based here," he says.
He says riders including Sean Bone, Dushko Mamic and youngsters Joe and EV Walker are held in high regard New Zealand-wide.
"Mention them at pretty much any skate event and you'll raise a nod of recognition and respect."
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