Free skatepark celebrates second birthday

Ste Asquith, who campaigned for a skate park in Scarborough for seven years and is now head of the user group, said: “The skate park has been a really positive thing. It has got kids active and out and about, rather than just sitting in and playing on their Xboxes.”

Teenagers who were participating in the festivities agreed that the skate park had been a welcome addition to Scarborough over the last two years.

Ruby Hooper, 13, said: “It’s great, especially in the summer holidays because there’s nothing else to do. You can just go up and talk to people. There’s a big mix of ages but everyone gets along.

“It’s good for skating shops in Scarborough too because if it wasn’t for the park they wouldn’t get much business,” she said.

Alex Robinson, 13, said he had been coming to the skate park since it opened.

“I think it’s a mint skate park,” he said. “It’s really good for socialising and you don’t get any aggro.”

Skateboarder and biker Sadie Ellis, 16, said: “I come down about three times a week. Everyone enjoys it. I think it’s important because it gives us something to do instead of hanging around the streets. It’s big enough for everyone.”

The skate park is open until 10pm and is free, unlike some elsewhere in the country.

Matthew Smith, 15, was visiting a friend in Scarborough from his home in Leeds.

He said: “It’s a pretty good skate park and it gets packed. There’s one where I live but it’s £12 to get in. This one is better than anything in Leeds.”

The birthday “Jamiversary” event was sponsored by Scarborough Lions for the second year in a row.

The group’s president, Gareth Jones, said: “Everyone seems to be having a good time. We’re extremely impressed with the behaviour of the kids and what they are doing. They all keep out of each other’s way on the ramps. I think over the past two years the park has been very successful.”

Prizes were donated by the Scarborough Lions and local skate shop.