I took this picture in 2013.
Way back in the late 80’s and early 90’s when I was at school I would draw skate stuff all the time.
Logos and ramps.!
I turned those drawings of ramps into something more formal and sent it to the council asking if they would build something.
To my surprise I got a letter back and was asked if I would come in to speak to them. I went with my mum and we were shown the plans for this ramp at Westburn. Obviously I had no real impact but I was grateful that they entertained me. I walked out of there with the blue prints for these under my arm.
I think by that time the exhibition centre that briefly housed facilities was long gone so there was no purpose built stuff at that time.
And so despite any design issues this ramp might have had I was excited. I remember going there when it was opened, can almost still smell the soft bark that was put down around it.
I was sad to see it had been taken down a few years ago. This ramp had a twin nearer my childhood home in Northfield. The one at Heatheryfold was opened a little later if I remember right. It’s also gone. Heatheryfold I believe may have been home to an early concrete skate park. It certainly had a BMX track that’s ghost can still be seen I think.
Northfield now has a skatepark near Byron shops. It’s a bit of a mess but if I had that as a kid? Wow.
I have strange dreams about the skatepark at Byron. I’m a kid again and I suddenly discover this amazing place and it’s empty. But as much as I try to get there I can’t ever quite get in or I don’t have a board with me. Wonder what that’s all about?
