Skate park ideas to be taken on board at Sumner workshop

Skaters and interested locals are getting the chance to share their design ideas for a new Bays Area Skate and Scooter Park in Sumner.

Christchurch City Council is holding an interactive workshop on Wednesday 8 May from 6pm to 7.30pm at Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre to ask community members for their input into the new park planned for 26 Nayland St, Sumner.

Sumner kids practice their moves on the temporary skate park.

This site was the most popular option with the local community after a month-long consultation led by the Council last year.

Stations will be set up at the workshop so that young people and adults can either draw their designs for the Bays Area Skate and Scooter Park, build them out of play dough or plasticine, or bring along photos or models of their favourite design elements.

The evening is also an opportunity to canvas opinions on the future use of a piece of vacant land next to the park. People will be able to write their suggestions on an aerial photo of the area.

Under the Sumner Village Centre Masterplan this area had been indicated for use as a car park but the Council wants to find out if this is still what the community wants, or if it should be used for something else.

Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge says it’s important for the community to be involved in the design process so the finished park meets their needs.

“The upcoming workshop is a creative, fun way for people to brainstorm ideas and make sure we come up with a new skate park that’s a safe, challenging and practical recreational space for everyone who uses it.”

Ideas for the skate park collected at the workshop will be incorporated by Richard Smith from Rich Landscapes when he develops the design. 

Community feedback will be sought on his draft design later this year. If needed, further changes can be made before it is presented to the Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board for approval in early 2020.

If approved, the aim would be for building work to get underway in spring 2020.

Anyone who is unable to make it to the workshop but would like to contribute can upload photos of their favourite skate elements to the Sumner Green and Skate Area Facebook page or email ideas or questions to BaysAreaSkate@ccc.govt.nz. Feedback can also be given on a Council Have Your Say page. 

All suggestions and feedback must be received by 5pm on Monday 20 May when submissions close.