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A FLAGSHIP skatepark was today credited with causing a dramatic drop
in youth disorder on a city estate plagued by trouble on its streets.
People living in Broomhouse claim they have seen major improvements
in the area since the £85,000 facility opened about four weeks ago.
Despite
the winter weather, its half-pipes and ramps have been drawing dozens
of young people nightly to the Sighthill Park complex.
Reprinted from the Wed 17 Dec 2003 Scotsman, Edinburgh, Scotland.
New skatepark sees drop in youth crime
JASON CUMMING
A FLAGSHIP skatepark was today credited with causing a dramatic drop
in youth disorder on a city estate plagued by trouble on its streets.
People living in Broomhouse claim they have seen major improvements
in the area since the £85,000 facility opened about four weeks ago.
Despite
the winter weather, its half-pipes and ramps have been drawing dozens
of young people nightly to the Sighthill Park complex.
Residents in the area - once dubbed Little Bosnia because of
persistent problems with anti-social behaviour - say vandalism and
other petty crime appears to have reduced substantially since
Edinburgh’s first council-run skatepark was launched last month.
Police in the area today also confirmed they had received fewer calls related to youth disorder in recent weeks.
Community leaders and a group of teenagers had fought to secure such a facility for almost four years.
Young people even collected a petition boasting hundreds of signatures amid complaints that there was "nothing to do" nearby.
Betty Watson, chairwoman of the Broomhouse Tenants and Residents
Association, said that many people had commented on the serious
reduction in problems on the estate since the facility opened.
She said: "It’s definitely had an impact. The kids were dying for a
skatepark so they’re up there all the time and things seem to be
quieter. It shows that if you give the kids something to do, you will
get a reaction."
The BTRA obtained a £39,000 grant from SportScotland, with the
remainder coming from the Scottish Executive. Edinburgh City Council
provided the site, designed and constructed the facility and has agreed
to maintain the complex.
The centre - which caters for skateboarders, in-line skaters and BMX
riders - is already regularly attracting people from across the city.
Sighthill councillor Frank Russell, who stays in Broomhouse,
admitted the apparent knock-on effect of the new park had exceeded
everyone’s expectations.
He added: "It’s early days but there’s a general feeling that there’s less hassle in the area since the skatepark opened.
"The kids decided they wanted this in the area, were involved from
day one and feel they have some ownership over it. It’s certainly been
quieter in Broomhouse."
Keith Bell, secretary of the Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead
Community Council, claimed the park had already proved to be a "vital
asset".
He said: "It’s getting used every day, even when it’s freezing cold
in the middle of winter. Most kids experience skateboarding on their
PlayStations, but now they can do the real thing so it’s a positive
step that promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle."
Lothian and Borders Police officials acknowledged there had been a
"slight reduction" in the number of nuisance-related calls to the area
since the park opened.
Representatives of the Edinburgh Skate Park Project campaign group
said the scheme’s early success illustrated the effect a large-scale
complex could have on targeting similar problems in the city centre.
Much-delayed plans for a flagship £400,000 skateboard park have
stalled with city chiefs unable to identify an appropriate site.
ESPP spokesman Zee Yule, 29, said: "Finally, the council is giving
young people something to do. Instead of going out smashing windows and
causing trouble they have the opportunity to do something they enjoy.
Skateboarding has become a major sport now and every suburb needs a
park like that."
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