This post is a timeline of the engagement and consultations, by the Papanui-Innes Community Board and Council staff, with the communities in the Papanui-Innes Ward, regarding skate path/park facilities in their neighbourhoods/suburbs.
In 2001:
– “Board members will recall that the ‘Shirley Needs Analysis (2001)’ identified a lack of teenage recreational opportunities in central Shirley and recommended the development of skateboard facilities in MacFarlane Park.”
(http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/council/agendas/2004/february/shirleypapanui4feb/macfarlanepark.pdf)
In 2003:
– March 2003: “Shirley Research Update
The purpose of this report is to update Community Board members on the progress in relation to recommendations made in the Shirley research (“It’s a Lot of Little Things Happening That Will Make the Difference”).
Support For Youth: 1. The skateboard facility consultation is almost complete with site and designs ready for construction.”
(http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/Council/Agendas/2003/March/ShirleyPapanui/ShirleyResearchUpdate.pdf)
– “Press Release: Christchurch City Council, Tuesday, 4 March 2003, ‘New skate facility planned for MacFarlane Park’
In response to requests from Shirley residents, a skate path is being planned for MacFarlane Park next to the flying fox on Jebson St. The path and obstacles have been designed with input from local young skateboarders, to provide a recreation asset for the local community.
Parks & Waterways Area Advocate Kirsty Patten said that several sites within the park has been investigated. ‘The Jebson Street site was selected as the best option because it is visible from the road, is co-located with another youth facility, has new toilets and a drinking fountain, and has plenty of space. The area will be landscaped and have seating provided for family and friends to come and watch the skateboarders,’ said Kirsty Patten. Comments on the proposal are currently being sought from local residents before the final plan is approved.”
(http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0303/S00015/new-skate-facility-planned-for-mcfarlane-park.htm)
– August 2003: Parks and Waterways Capital Programme 2003/04 – Shirley/Papanui Board, Recreational Facilities, MacFarlane Park Skateboard Facilities (CFWD), $46,583, Awaiting Consultation Outcome
(http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/Council/Agendas/2003/August/ShirleyPapanui/Clause8Attachment.pdf)
In 2004:
– “MacFarlane Park – Proposed Skate Path. The purpose of this report is to seek a decision from the Board on the provision of a skate facility in MacFarlane Park.”
“Board members will recall that the ‘Shirley Needs Analysis (2001)’ identified a lack of teenage recreational opportunities in central Shirley and recommended the development of skateboard facilities in MacFarlane Park [Shirley]. The Board has allocated total funding of $45,000 since 2001/02 towards a skate facility.”
“Other parks were also considered but are outside of the community focus area and would not cater for local children unable to travel outside of their [Shirley] neighbourhood.”
“Staff Recommendation: 1. That a skate facility and youth recreation be included alongside wider issues to be investigated within the Acheson Avenue Urban Renewal Action Plan.”
(http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/council/agendas/2004/february/shirleypapanui4feb/macfarlanepark.pdf)
In 2005-2008:
– “Shirley MacFarlane Park Community Concept Plan. Supported by the Shirley Inter-Agency Community Network. This is a community concept plan developed through a community planning process since 2005.
MacFarlane Park and the Acheson Ave shops are in the physical centre of the study area and are the focus of this community concept plan because community feedback from the Shine event 2007 identified this as the main community concern and focus of their suggestions on ways to improve the neighbourhood.”
(http://www.lucas-associates.co.nz/christchurch-banks-peninsula/shirley-concept-plan/) 101 Pages, with Skate Park facilities included.
In 2017:
– “Skate Park – Papanui. The purpose of this report is for the Papanui-Innes Community Board to be informed around the possibility of a new skate park in the Papanui Ward area.”
(https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2017/11/PICB_20171110_AGN_2042_AT.htm#PDF2_ReportName_15502)
– “Christchurch Skate Park Overview Map, August 2017”
(https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2017/11/PICB_20171110_AGN_2042_AT.htm#PDF3_Attachment_15502_1)
– “Papanui skate park sites identified, but could be years before built. Sites in the Papanui Ward have been identified for a skate park but it could be up to 12 years before anyone gets to use it.
City council staff narrowed the search for the suitable location for a park to Bridgewater Drainage Reserve, Craighead Reserve and Edgar Macintosh Park in Papanui or Owen Mitchell Park and Redwood Park in Redwood.
The Papanui-Innes Community Board is pitching the proposal for inclusion into the city council’s 2019-29 Long Term Plan. The report said Owen Mitchell Park on Grimseys Rd is the most suitable.”
(https://www.star.kiwi/2017/11/papanui-skate-park-sites-identified-years-built/)
– “Community leaders are pushing for more facilities for young people in the Christchurch suburb of Papanui.
Christchurch City Council’s Papanui ward councillor, Mike Davidson, said the skate park project came from a meeting with a group of young people from Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi, a community youth development agency based in Papanui.
‘Both Papanui and Redwood are missing a good outdoor youth recreational facility and potentially we may need to look at two facilities in the Papanui ward.'”
(https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/98835071/community-leaders-push-for-skate-park-in-christchurch-suburb)
In 2018:
– “Shannon’s question was ‘Do you want a Scooter, Skate and Bike Park for Shirley? We want to ask the Christchurch City Council if we can put one in at MacFarlane Park.'”
“6.11 [Option 1 Shirley Community Reserve, 10 Shirley Road, Richmond] The location of the pump track allows space for a potential community centre rebuild onsite.”
(“If the base is 209m2, and the modular design needs a 40m separation from residents houses, there won’t be room for both the pump track and the new community centre to be built on this site at 10 Shirley Road, Richmond.
The modular pump track would then have to be moved out of Richmond to another suburb in the Papanui Ward, as there are no other suitable parks (due to size/restrictions) in Shirley or Richmond.” [Joanna Gould])
“6.16.1 Skateboarding, inline skating, and BMX cycling strategy 2004 (https://www.ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/The-Council/Plans-Strategies-Policies-Bylaws/Strategies/SkateboardingStrategy-docs.pdf)
The strategy mentions that demand was likely to be greatest in a few suburbs in Christchurch including Richmond-Shirley and that the construction of St Albans Skate facility has met much of the need.”
“6.7 [Option 1 Shirley Community Reserve, 10 Shirley Road, Richmond] There is no toilet on site.”
“7.2 There is a flying fox, toilet and the Shirley Community Garden located near Jebson Street.”
“7.9 Note: A location near Jebson Street beside the flying fox, toilets and Shirley Community Gardens was also considered, however, this has a separation of 25m between residents and the pump track. Further noise information would be required if this site was preferred over the site near Emmett Street.”
(“If the path around the flying fox was made into a permanent pump track similar to the Gap Filler project #detour in Manchester Street, the design wouldn’t have the same noise problems/required setback from residents houses, that the proposed modular pump track design has due to the joins in the pump track.” Joanna Gould)
“8.11 There is a risk that if the Community Board decide to do nothing that the [Shirley] community will continue to demand this type of facility.”
(https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2018/12/PICB_20181207_AGN_2446_AT.htm)
– “Shannon said he has ridden on temporary tracks in the past and “it wasn’t smooth and wasn’t that nice to ride on.”
(https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/62281827/norwest-news-december-18-2018, Page 11)
In 2019:
– “School kids take lead in St Albans skate park upgrade. Creative local school children are carving out a welcome role in Christchurch City Council’s skate park revamp plans.
A group of 16 children from St Albans School presented their design ideas for a planned extension to the St Albans skate park to Council staff members who were invited to attend a meeting at the school.
St Albans School Teacher Niamh O’Connor says the kids are motivated and enjoying being part of a real-life design project.
‘The whole process is a fantastic opportunity for them. They’ve experienced how the Council consults with the public and to allow our student leaders to have a voice in the community is quite empowering.’
The Council hopes another local school will be keen to get involved and contribute ideas for Bishopdale Park’s skate area which is nearing the end of its lifespan. The skate area, which is part of Bishopdale Park, off Harewood Rd, is due for a full renewal.”
(https://www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/newsline/show/3589)
– Christchurch City Council, Agenda, Thursday 28 March 2019
2018/19 Capital Endowment Fund Applications: Living Springs, Shirley Pump Track, Botanic Delights
(https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/03/CNCL_20190328_AGN_3367_AT.htm#PDF2_ReportName_22966)
Capital Endowment Fund Decision Matrix – Shirley Pump Track
(https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/03/CNCL_20190328_AGN_3367_AT.htm#PDF3_Attachment_22966_2)
– “As a community we need to ask ourselves whether we want temporary facilities as part of our children’s childhood memories? Or whether we should be investing in building permanent facilities?
Facilities that enliven our community, and rise up a sense of identity and well-being through the memories created, when our children connect with our community spaces.” [Joanna Gould]
(https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/proposed-pump-track-for-shirley/)