http://portside-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/osborne-skate-park-danger/"UP TO 50 young people are sneaking through temporary fencing each day to use a skate park under construction at Osborne.
Nearby residents and community groups at the Le Fevre Community Centre on Victoria Rd, have raised safety concerns youths could injure themselves at the yet to be opened park.
Tammie Wightman who lives on Victoria Rd near the park, said youths arrived at the park on a nightly basis, as soon as the workers finish for the day.
“There is a safety issue here because clearly it is still under construction,” Mrs Wightman said.
“If someone falls and breaks their neck, who is liable?
“Will their parents try to sue the council?”
A community centre user, who asked only to be referred to as Mandy, said the youths were putting themselves at risk.
“There is still a stack of work equipment laying around there,” she said.
“(The skate park) was built to aid the community and give these kids something to do but, at this point, it’s a work site.”
North Haven resident Michael Hastings, who drives along Victoria Rd daily, said he had seen youths gathering at the site over the past three weeks.
“The dangers are obvious, particularly at night,” Mr Hastings said.
Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Gary Johanson said he saw about 50 people using the skate park on Sunday, August 7.
Mr Johanson said although the park “didn’t look dangerous from the roadside” the council was concerned an injury could result from equipment left on the site.
He was unsure if the youths moved the gate themselves, or if it was left open by contractors.
Mr Johanson said the council hoped the skate park would be ready for use on August 16.
Darren White of Convic, the construction group building the skate park, said the company’s workmen locked a gate to the site at the end of each day.
Mr White was not aware anyone was using the skate park, but advised against it.
“They are better off waiting until it is finished and safe to use,” he said.
In response to the
Portside Messenger’s inquiries, Port-Enfield Council community development director Louise Miller-Frost said the council would arrange security to patrol the skate park at night.
Western Adelaide crime prevention manager Carole Johnson said police were not aware of the issue and had not received any complaints or concerns from residents.
She said police would be sent to patrol the area."
just be careful you don't ride off the park and break your neck on the uncleared dirt.
