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A similar Skate Park has been provided in Maidenhead in Kidwells Park. The location in the centre of the town is far more suitable, being easily supervised with a lot of passing traffic and has the added advantage of a security camera. No such advantages exist at the Vansittart Recreation Ground. Indeed, at night very many residents are reluctant to use the underpass and pathway through the recreation ground, because it passes within a few feet of the skate boarding ramps. Gangs of youths gather on the top of these ramps, smoking, swearing at passers-by, and throwing beer bottles and cans down onto the pavement below. As this is also a cycle way, the broken glass is an added hazard to cyclists, dog owners and young children. As the area is used as a meeting place for large numbers of young people, many of whom bring beer and other drinks, the lack of toilet facilities results in the inevitable. Treated as a Raceway It has been reported that the road into Vansittart Recreation Ground has been used as a drag strip. It is a concern to local residents that this will result in serious injury at some time in the future. The green pathway is the cycle track, part of the national cycle track project by Sustrans. SummaryThe Skate Park is already proving a major headache to local people. The noise from the ramps late into the night, the vandalism, graffiti, litter, and aggressive, rowdy behaviour have all combined to infuriate local residents. The residents' frustration at seeing expensive equipment and facilities damaged or defaced and then left unrepaired for days, weeks and even months as in the case of graffiti is a source of daily anger. If you are adversely affected by the Skate Park at Vansittart Recreation Ground, then please let us know by emailing The Editor, Thamesweb Editor |
