Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Campaign on a roll
Youngster campaigning for a place to have wheely good fun
A Coatbridge dad is gathering support for his four-year-old son’s idea to create a skate park where youngsters can enjoy activities from scooting to cycling.
Nick Gallagher is asking local councillors to create a new outdoor facility in the Shawhead area, and has so far collected nearly 100 online signatures, plus more support in the community.
It follows a suggestion from St Bernard’s Primary pupil Callum, who told during lockdown how he would love to have a facility closer to home like the skate parks at Kelvingrove in Glasgow or West End Park in the centre of Coatbridge – and who has played his own part in the campaign by delivering leaflets explaining the project to neighbours.
The petition, hosted on the change.org website, has also gained the backing of Coatbridge South councillor Tracy Carragher, who has promised to present it to a meeting of the town’s community board.
Nick told the Advertiser: “During lockdown when Callum was out of nursery, we were trying to find things to do and taking him out where we could, which led to thinking about what’s on the doorstep.
“We’ve taken him to Kelvingrove and Callum said he wished there was a skate park closer to home; that’s how it all kicked off.
“The closest area like that is three miles’ walking distance and there isn’t a great deal for kids to do locally – there’s something missing in this part of town for kids and families, so that’s why I want to raise awareness and generate more interest.
“There’s a small piece of land behind the community centre which would be perfect if it got the green light and could be a realistic place to put it. This would add something new to the area, letting kids spend more time in the fresh air with friends.
“I’d see it as something for all wheels, like scooters, bikes and skaters, and which can be used by kids in wheelchairs and it would be great to have something for the kids in that bottom part of Shawhead, as the other play facilities locally are a 10 or 15-minute walk away.”
The petition can be signed at www. change. org/ p/ coatbridge-southcouncillors- petition- toestablish-local-skatepark.
It notes that the popular West End Park skate park received similar funding from Coatbridge’s local development programme a decade ago, and says a new skatepark would be a “free, safe, inclusive and familyorientated sports facility for users of all ages”.
The webpage also says: “Skate parks provide a unique opportunity for young people to spend time together, socialise ( where physical distancing can be maintained) and keep fit; with the proper design, [they] can be enjoyed by the wider community.”
Nick added: “My dad printed leaflets explaining about the petition and Callum helped put them through doors; when everywhere was closed, you could see how it would make sense to have facilities close by, and everybody I’ve spoken to says it’s a great idea.”
Councillor Carragher said: “It’s brilliant when people want to bring things to the community, and Nick absolutely has my support and backing.
“He contacted me about his idea and my advice was that the best way to show the council there’s public support for an idea is to set up a petition and there’s been great interest in it. The existing skate facility at West End Park is really popular.
“When the petition is completed, I’ll present it to the next meeting of the new community board, which has funds available for local projects.”
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council told the Advertiser: “When a petition is received, a report is prepared on it and presented to the local community board for a decision.”
It would be great to have something for the kids