New skate park underway

‘‘The project is a great example of community empowerment in action.’’

Franklin Local Board joined the Franklin Youth Advisory Board, Pukekohe Rotary and the designers to celebrate the start of construction of the town’s new skate park.

‘‘This is a major milestone on a project that the advisory board first started talking to us about in 2013,’’ said local board chair Angela Fulljames. ’’It has taken a while to get here but, thanks to the efforts of the advisory board, it is now a reality.’’

The park features a combination of street environments including ledges, rails and stairs. There is also a pump track with rollovers, berms and a fly-out quarter pipe. A central pergola area provides shaded seating. The project is a great example of community empowerment in action, said Ms Fulljames. Board member Alan Cole said: ’’We worked with the youth advisory board and are proud to support them, but we have let them take the lead and it has been a great experience.’’

Franklin Youth Advisory Board member Bryce Collin acknowledged the local board, Auckland Council parks staff and past advisory board members for their support. ’’We are lucky to have a local board that cares about young people,’’ he said.

The park is expected to be completed later this year.