A breath of big air for Garfield youth

By Paul Dunlop
YOUNG people at Garfield can take the latest skate moves to new heights following the official opening of the town’s skate playground on Friday.
The new facility, located at the Garfield Recreation Reserve in Beswick Street, is the second in the district to open in as many months.
Lang Lang’s skate playground was officially opened in February.
The two new parks were funded through a $137,000 Cardinia Shire Council investment, as well as a $50,000 grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria.
The Garfield Skate Playground was officially opened by Westen Port Province MP Geoff Hilton and Cardinia mayor Bill Ronald.
The opening featured demonstrations by professional skaters, and local young people attending showed their skills.
Cr Ronald said planning began after a council skate strategy identified a clear need for facilities in the shire’s townships.
“Construction of the project was completed a month ago, and already council is receiving positive feedback from young people in the shire who say the Garfield Skate Playground is among the best they have seen,” he said.
The skate park features a 300mmhigh escalator leading to a quarter pipe, a mini ramp section, a euro gap, manual pad, high flat bank and a grind rail.
Cr Ronald thanked the Garfield Recreation Reserve committee of management for its input and support, as well as Garfield’s young people for their input into the design of the project.
He said council was also grateful for the State Government’s financial support.
“The opening of the Garfield Skate Playground brings the total number of skate playgrounds in Cardinia to six, with others located at Cockatoo, Gembrook, Kooweerup, Pakenham and Lang Lang,” Cr Ronald said.
“All these facilities are free to use and have a variety of activities designed for both maximum safety and versatility.”
Cardinia manager of sustainable communities Maria Berry said council recognised the importance for many young people of newer sports and recreation activities like skateboarding.
“We recognise that the fun and challenges of skateboarding and the opportunities it provides for young people to gather in a friendly, informal environment is an important part of the set of recreation choices for our shire’s young people,” she said.