By Dominique Tassell
Locals are hoping to revamp the Stanthorpe skate park, which was built over 20 years ago.
Nat Burton is one of the locals pushing for change at the skate park and presented to Southern Downs Regional Council last week, asking for their support.
Nat says the park needs some TLC, as “it’s just not pretty anymore”.
She’d like to see the local kids have an art mural day at the park, and have the Council Youth Officer and Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery involved.
Nat would also like to see an extension at the park and says people have been screaming for an extension since the park was built.
Nat raised over $500 almost a decade ago and wants to see it finally put to use. She says locals are pulling together another raffle, to show the Council they’re “serious about getting something happening”.
Nat has big dreams for the area, and would eventually like a coffee van set up to give parents their coffee and kids their cold drink.
She says she wants to make it “more an area people want to hang out in”.
The skate park was initially painted with spray paint, but that faded quickly.
Nat says that 15 years ago an extension was planned but never delivered.
“People have been rallying for something for all ages,” she says.
Locals wanted a half pipe for teenagers but also wanted the park to be suitable for the youngest of local children.
“The park needs to be more for all ages,” Nat says.
She says currently, three-year-old skaters are trying to use the same space as 18-year-olds.
“It’s about having areas for multiple age groups.”
The park also doesn’t cater for people of all abilities, which Nat says needs to happen.
Nat says locals have been calling for improvement for years but “things have just never happened”.
“This is my final bid to get something going.”
Nat believes that if the park is improved, it will be an attraction for families.
She says it’s very common for families to take a drive on a weekend to a skate park in another area.
“I do believe it’s a necessity,” Nat says. “It gets kids out of the house, it’s a safe space.”
She says having a park in Stanthorpe like Australiana Park in Warwick would be “amazing”.
“The plan is already there, we just have to copy it.”
Nat spoke in last week’s Council meeting about her mental health issues as a teen, and the importance of the youth centre at the time which she says gave her direction.
She envisions the Stanthorpe skate park as having a café that kids can run, giving them an opportunity to use the skills they’re learning in the classroom.
“They could use their accounting class for bookwork,” Nat says.
Councillors were supportive of the project and suggested Nat apply for the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) to get the art project up and running.
Mayor Vic Pennisi said they would line up meetings with the relevant staff and would organise repairs to the park.
Overall, Nat is hopeful.
She says an extension has been “on the shelf” for around 15 years, but she’s still going to try to make it happen.
“The only thing we can do as people is sit down as people and ask for what we want,” Nat says.
“All they can do is write a report and wait until funding comes.”
