It’s time to save Barry’s skate park
Passing Comment • A personal view – by Sue Vincent-Jones
SO WHAT we going to do to ‘Save Our Skate Park’ – that cracking community asset that has once again, descended in decay and disrepair.
Its fate is very much on my mind lately as it was the subject of one of the last chats my dearly-departed friend Sharon Harris and I had before her untimely death recently.
The Glamorgan Star reporter, as always, wanted to over the story sensitively, out of respect for the family of Richard Taylor. I was like a coiled spring ready to crack into campaigning mode to see the skate park saved.
We were both shocked that the nifty Knap site, built in memory of Richard, the Welsh inline skating and freestyle skiing champion from Barry who died after a freak accident in 2004, is now a heart-breaking health and safety hazard in dire need of refurbishment and repair.
It has become dilapidated, dangerous, and faces disappearing from our town completely.
What a waste of one of the few perfect places for our young people to actually have something to do – keeping active and finding a focal point to meet their mates.
For me, it’s the perfect place for would-be Sky Browns to show off their sharp skills, bold Barrians to feel optimistic about making their mark in this now Olympic sport. Or it just gives our racing residents, of any age, the chance to have some fun in the fresh air.
It also, I’m told, causes no chaos for nearby residents, is well-respected as a mark to Richard’s memory, and is much-used by skaters and spectators alike.
What’s not to love?
In fairness, a little Barry bird tells me that our local authority is keen to keep the Skate Park alive, and has met privately with Richard’s Family.
I also understand that the Vale Council’s ambition is to be able to beef up funds raised by the family to bankroll the replacement of the existing Skate Park with a new concrete creation, similar to that seen at the recent Olympics.
Seems like a sensible solution but it needs our rallying residents to get behind the partnership plan, share the ‘Save Our Skate Park’ campaign, and of course, put some cash into the coffers. However small.
In my view, we should dig deep to try to save the site that honours a bold Barry lad who put our town on the map and will provide a safe skate space for generations to come.
What do you think?
Find out more about the Save the Richard Taylor Memorial Skate Park by visiting gofundme here.
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