Lake Macquarie will unveil yet another new recreational facility this weekend when the wraps come off the Charlestown Skate Park.
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It has been a busy time delivering new recreational spaces for our community, with Sunday’s skate park opening coming just a week after the launch of the $15 million, eight-hectare Pasterfield Sports Complex at Cameron Park.
And there is more in store, with the council to start community consultation in coming weeks on three new skate parks at Windale, Croudace Bay and Morisset.
The Charlestown Skate Park has been designed in partnership with local skaters, BMX and scooter riders and has already had the thumbs up from two of the region’s best skaters: Olympic team contenders Jedd McKenzie and Poppy Starr Olsen, who joined me for the launch of the design on site at Charlestown in April.
The pair endorsed the park-style design, which features bowls from 1.2 metres to three metres to suit beginner and advanced skaters, BMX and scooter riders, as well as hips and a bank.
Sunday’s grand opening will be held from noon to 4pm.
The family-friendly event will feature skate demonstrations, workshops for all ages, a best trick contest, giveaways, live music by an on-site DJ and more.
The new skate park is on the corner of the Pacific Highway and Frederick Street.
Scar tree preserved
A special smoking ceremony was held on Friday last week to mark the preservation of a culturally significant Aboriginal scar tree discovered on the site of the Lake Macquarie transport interchange at Glendale.
Scar trees are trees which have had bark removed by Indigenous Australians for the creation of canoes, shelters, shields and containers.
The preserved tree was one of two that were discovered on the LMTI construction site in 2015.
It had been damaged – possibly by a lightning strike – but was salvaged and relocated to a site near the Hunter Sports Centre, where it now stands in a protective enclosure designed in collaboration with the local Aboriginal community.
The preservation of the tree is a wonderful example of how the council is meeting the challenge of preserving heritage and culture as the city continues to grow and develop.
Cr Kay Fraser, Lake Macquarie mayor