Bushy park skatepark and the tennis snobs
Ahoy Hoy
Previously on Globaleyes, we had brought you some information regarding interesting developments in the Bushy Park area where a group attempting to build a public skate park were encountering fierce resistance from local residents. The objections of the residents were a touch hard to get a handle on, but mostly it seemed to stem from pure, unadulterated snobbery: part of smug, McDowell-loving midlle-Ireland's War on Teenagers.
Now, in an effort to fight back against a concerted misinformation campaign and to help spread the word about the benefits of such a skate park, the group have created that fundamental weapon in any modern campaign for social change: the website.
"Plans for a public skatepark in Bushy park are being challenged by a number of public representatives.
The councillors and TDs in question are objecting to the park in response to concerns raised by local residents. We've set this website up both to address such concerns, and also to act as a rallying point for the huge number of people who support the park."
The site gives a list of key stakeholders in the project, lists those who object (plus a rather amusing list of reasons why) and an online petition which you can sign. I'd encourage everyone reading this to take a look at the site and take the time to sign the petition.
Sadly, the site does seem to lack one key thing: a persuasive argument as to why the skate park would be a good thing for the community. Experts in Scotland have been telling us for the best part of the last decade that skate parks are demonstrably effective in reducing anti-social behaviour and crime. Sadly, this site doesn't make this as clear as it could be. I don't say this to snipe: rather in the hope that those spearheading the campaign will bear this in mind when trying to articulate their point to a cynical community and a uninterested media.
+Find out more+
Bushypark skate park (dead link)
+Google Earth PlaceMarker+
If you have Google Earth installed, you can click on this link and use the specially created Blather Placemarker to fly directly to Bushy Park and dig around for yourself. If you don't have it installed then for the love of all that's holy go here and get the thing. You bloody luddites.
+SKATEFUCK UPDATE: How To Find Bushy Park SkatePark+
There are some comments below (and in e-mails) from some of you contemptible scum, moaning that you can't find Bushy Park Skatepark. As we're a benevolent bunch here at blather.net, we decided to furnish you with some directions. You mongs. This is a google map link showing you where the park is: Google Maps link to Bushy Park
And if that doesn't make you happy, then go call Dublin Corpo and let them tell you.
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Comments
im a resident from the area of templogue.And a skateboarder myself,and the new skatepark in Bushy park is going to such a positive effect on the area and the dublin skatescene in general! not only will it keep teens occupied in a healthy active hobby which keeps them from getting involved in anti-social behaviour.It also gives skateboarders that have nowhere to go except the steets somewhere to skate without causing hassle!On a whole this project is a step forward in irelands awarness of Skateboarding and i hope its a positive sign of things to come?
Posted by: Adrian kelly | July 27, 2006 10:11 PM
basically im a skateboarder from england and i have to admit lately weve had about 6 parks added locally and the amount of anti social behavior has dropped rapidly, im not saying build a park in dublin but consider it, think of about the 100 extra teenagers that could go down to the park instead of going and smoking drugs and vandalising stuff, they would have somewhere to go and hang out instead of being on the streets. anyone who needs information about how we got our skateparks email me or (mr_smurf@hotmail.co.uk) regards steven
Posted by: steven power | September 24, 2006 10:06 PM
Bushy skatepark is built since early september but as yet unopened,I hear it's opening in the next two weeks!!
Posted by: irishextreme | October 12, 2006 9:44 PM
im a BMXer from terenure and am very happy with the skate park because it is a 2 min cycle from my house.To be honest i find i spend most my time there then "hanging around". My fitness is improving and im getting more confident thanks to the park.
Posted by: Alex | November 12, 2006 9:57 PM
nice to hear that alex. are there many people using it?
Posted by: birdbath | November 12, 2006 10:39 PM
On wednesdays i get out of school at 1:00 so my friends and I head down and its always empty. We have the place all to ourselves. Its great. On weekends its a totally differnet matter.On saturdays and sundays there is a queue of skaters , BMXers and rollerbladers outside waithing for it to open. The experienced people take the bowl and leave the beginners who are afraid to drop in with nothing to do but the small ramps around the bowl.I cant tell you how packed it gets around 2:00 pm on Sundays. They will have to put a max. number of people allowed.
Posted by: alex | November 12, 2006 11:34 PM
well, it's great to hear that so many people are using it at weekends. sounds like they need to build a second one...
Posted by: birdbath | November 13, 2006 9:24 AM
that is so radicul
Posted by: dunno | December 1, 2006 6:26 PM
Jessus, can u just put the f-ing location of the skatepark somewhere.
Crap site
Posted by: asdf | January 5, 2007 11:34 AM
asdf,
there's now a location marker there for you...
Posted by: birdbath | January 5, 2007 2:17 PM
A brief history of the park would be of educational value.
Posted by: johnburns | March 8, 2007 12:39 PM
this parks site is broken or just doesnt work, and as a skater myself i would be more then happy to create a site for the park providing someone can send me photo's and the info they want on the site, thanks, Steven
Posted by: steven power | April 5, 2007 10:55 PM
I am appalled by the council allowing a bunch of delinquent nose-ringed punks to gather around the vicinity of my home. As a resident of the bushy park area and father of 9, I am trying my hardest to get this park closed down. Just the other day my wife had to scream to get the attention of the skateboarders across the road, as they could have hit her and caused serious harm had she not have made them stop skateboarding. Granted, there were a few cars in the way and about 5 metres distance, but the risk is still there. This nuisance must be stopped immediately.
Posted by: John Stevenson | May 27, 2008 7:36 PM
im a rollerblading myself and being honest I went to bushy a few times and it has to be the most used skatepark. The benfits for kids And adults in keeping the skatepark there is unreal. Why would such people want to stop that ? I do not see any downsides to it and all I can say is build more skateparks because of the differnece I see it makes also when one is closed down the trouble I see children and teenagers get into because they simply have nuthing better to do and if snobs want to support that to make themselves look better well I say fuck them
Posted by: Anton Partridge | March 2, 2009 12:46 AM