Leichhardt Skate Park is More Than Half Pipes & Crazy Tricks

Press Gang investigators explore the positive impact Leichhardt Skate Park

The Leichhardt Skatepark seems to tick every box; it has many health benefits, it gives young people things to do and most importantly, it brings this amazing community together.

We asked Darcy Byrne, Mayor of the Inner West Council what the council wanted to achieve when building the skatepark.

“We knew all along that if you opened a good facility, kids could skate, scooter and ride bikes on, that it would be popular and it would give local and young children a healthy outlet, a place to go to hang out where they would be safe and be able to have fun,” he said.

The Leichhardt Skatepark has been in planning for 13 years. But the council finally realised how important this skatepark was.

One thing that helps the skatepark bring us together is the location. The skatepark is right next to the Bay Run and on the edge of Callan Park. This area is a very popular area in Leichhardt which has added to the many, many people who use it.

Skateparks are the perfect place to socialise and meet new people. Instead of being cooped indoors and the only link of communication is text messages, the skatepark allows people to get together with others and find a place inside of themselves that they might have not even known they had.

Socialising has great impacts on our mental health which makes this skatepark so critical for our community and everyone else who wishes to use it.

Everyone knows about the physical benefits of the new Leichhardt skatepark. When you go down there, it’s normally to get some exercise (and have some fun!). But the skatepark also has a huge mental health impact on the community.

So, when the Inner West Council was planning the skate park, did they factor in how it would improve people’s mental health? “Absolutely,” said the Mayor.

“For children and young people to have a space where they can go and hang out with a little less supervision and have the freedom to play with their friends is really important for their wellbeing,” he explained.

Part of mental health means feeling safe around people and nothing helps that better than a fun trip to the skatepark with your friends plus you get some exercise, which helps to decrease stress.

So having a skate park in a local area is amazing for people. I know no one likes the feeling of stress so going to a skate park to clear your mind is great for your mental health and you can focus better and get your job done quicker.

What young people think about the skate park?           

When you think of skateparks you probably think of half pipes, skateboards and crazy tricks. But a key part of all of this is the youth community.

We interviewed Monte, a Year 6 student at OGPS to find out what skating means to him.

Why do you like skating?

Because it’s challenging and there’s lots of fun and unique tricks that you can learn’

What makes Leichhardt Skate Park different to other skate parks?

It’s different because it doesn’t have a big bowl and some other features. It has got a big drop and some ramps though.

So it makes it more accessible to younger users?

Yes.

To any people who are interested in skating, what do you have to say?

Never give up.