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12-Year-Old's Campaign Leads Council to Promise Skate Park Fixes

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A 12-year-old girl, Haylee Blair, has successfully campaigned for the repair of her local skate park in Grafton, NSW.
  • The park, built in 1998, has fallen into disrepair with cracks and debris, posing safety hazards.
  • The Clarence Valley Council unanimously voted to address the issue, with a staff report due by October, though funding remains a challenge.

Twelve-year-old Haylee Blair has become a local champion for her community, successfully advocating for the much-needed repair of the Grafton skate park. Dismayed by the deteriorating condition of the facility, which she described as having "cracks and holes everywhere and glass and stuff all over," Haylee took it upon herself to bring the issue to the attention of local politicians.

There's cracks and holes everywhere and glass and stuff all over the skate park. I love skateboarding and it's a skate park for a reason, but we're using it as a bike track because it's too rough.

— Haylee BlairHaylee Blair describing the poor condition of the Grafton skate park.

The Grafton Skate Park, originally built in 1998 and later expanded, has aged significantly. A 2021 council report acknowledged its poor condition and safety hazards. Haylee, an avid skater, noted that the park's rough state makes it more suitable for bikes than skateboards, hindering its intended use.

Our park is used by so many young people, and it means a lot to our community.

— Haylee BlairHaylee Blair explaining the importance of the skate park to the local community.

Haylee's persistent efforts, including approaching the local council and engaging with community groups, culminated in a unanimous vote by the Clarence Valley Council to address her concerns. A staff report on the necessary upgrades is expected by October. Councillor Cristie Yager praised Haylee's initiative, emphasizing the positive impact the revitalized park would have on the community.

Haylee and her family and now a very large group of people are getting behind the positivity that would come from having the skate park brought back up to a standard where it is suitable for skating. I’m hoping we can get a whole lot of information that is available publicly that can help us find any kind of avenue forward on getting [the skate park] up to scratch.

— Councillor Cristie YagerCouncillor Cristie Yager expressing support for the skate park upgrades and Haylee's campaign.

While the council has committed to investigating avenues for repair, Councillor Ray Smith noted the estimated $250,000 cost of the project, suggesting that government assistance would be necessary. Haylee hopes the renovations will not only fix the existing issues but also include additions like a pump track for younger children, shading, and cameras, making the park more inclusive for skaters of all ages.

That's community

— Councillor Ray SmithCouncillor Ray Smith acknowledging the community effort behind the skate park campaign.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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