'Hollywood moment' for Crestmead kids

The plot premise behind the hit movie Field of Dreams is ‘if you build it, they will come’. The same could be said about the new upgraded Crestmead Skate Park.

In his own ‘Kevin Costner-like moment’, Councillor Jon Raven recognised the need to provide an engaging, purpose-built facility for the hundreds of eager local skateboarders, scooter riders and BMX freestyle enthusiasts.

And the $800,000 upgrade to the popular facility, located behind the PCYC in Gimlet Street, is clearly money well spent.

Take a walk through Crestmead Park on any day after school, or on weekends, and dozens of kids and young adults will be lined up on the ramps ready to take their turn at ‘getting some air’.

Many are from Crestmead and Marsden, but others come from suburbs across South East Queensland to tackle the steep ramps, challenging jumps and the daunting new 1800 mm high quarter pipes.

‘We listened to what the kids who use the park wanted and that’s why the upgraded skate bowl is such a huge hit,’ Cr Raven says.

‘The next stage, which is scheduled for completion soon, is to install lighting and a drinking fountain to allow the community to use the facility and park for longer each day and in an even safer environment.’

The upgrade also included a new set-up combination unit, replacement of an existing stair set and removal of obstructing items on the southern side of the park to allow smoother transitions to the new ramps.

There was also additional landscaping and other embellishments across the park.

‘Ramp of Dreams would be a great title for a movie about Crestmead Skate Park,’ Cr Raven jokes.