Provision for skateboarders in Portobello

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Jun 2005, 18:16

Not forgetting in-line skaters and bmx kids. Hundreds of local kids would appreciate this type of facility. It might keep some of them out of trouble. A state of the art facility would cost around Ã‚Â£80k. Money well spent?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 23 Jun 2005, 09:42

Bob Jefferson wrote:Not forgetting in-line skaters and bmx kids. Hundreds of local kids would appreciate this type of facility.

If this level of support and appreciation could be demonstrated, then it seems a worthy investment.

Bob Jefferson wrote: It might keep some of them out of trouble.

You are overstating the number of kids that are causing trouble

Bob Jefferson wrote: A state of the art facility would cost around Ã‚Â£80k. Money well spent?

If it can be established that the facility will be well used then Ã‚Â£80,000 seems like good value. Where were you thinking of siting the Skatepark? What options are there?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 23 Jun 2005, 16:58

The old tennis courts in Rosefield Park has been suggested as one possible site, though I would anticipate a certain degree of opposition from local residents wherever it goes. One of the advantages of Rosefield Park is the CCTV coverage.

Other possibilities include Joppa Quarry Park and Figgate Park. Discussions are also ongoing as to whether the disused tennis courts at PHS could be used to site one or more of these facilites and to operate as an 'open playground' in the evening.

Post by **wangi** » 23 Jun 2005, 17:05

Bob Jefferson wrote:Joppa Quarry Park

That's probably an unsitable site. If you've followed the tale of the Edinburgh-wide skatepark St. Mark's Park in Powderhall was their preferred location. However it had been used as landfill in the past making the building of such a structure unsuitable. I'd imagine JQP will have a certain amount of infill too (certainly looking at aerial maps it's "confused").

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 23 Jun 2005, 17:12

I think there could be problems at Figgate Park as well, which of course used to be a clay pit and there are drainage issues in Rosefield Park. Ron Tulloch is the person at CEC responsible for play provision city-wide and he has a lot of experience so we will be following his advice.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Jun 2005, 21:28

From what I can gather, the survey gave each kid 10 points to allocate to 4 chioices. Cafe/Club, Shelter, 5-a-side/basketball and a Skatepark. They allocated ponits 4,3,2,1, with 4 being awarded to their most favoured choice. This means that every option was guaranteed at least 10% of the vote, as each kid had to vote at least 1 point for that option. So with 558 kids voting ; had "Being kept in all summer and thrashed every morning" been one of the four options, it would have got at least 558 points; 10% of the vote

Skatepark got 997 points, 558 kids voted so it only attracted 439 points more than the minimum. There were 3226 "floating" points available to be divvied up among the 4 options. That means that skatepark attracted 439/3226 of floating points or 13%. It was least favourite by miles. You cannot use this survey as justification for a skatepark. (there may be other evidence and I'm not saying a skatepark is not justifiedb but you can't go on this survey.)

You suggested the survey demonstrated that at least 315 kids were into skateboarding, that's nonsense. All 558 kids were forced to "vote for" a skatepark.

I took another look at the data. 13% of the kids made a skateboard park their first choice. Assuming a school roll of 1450 that would equate to around 188 hard-core skaters. A further 17% made it their second choice, another 247 kids.

I think that it is fair to interpret from this that around 435 kids from PHS would appreciate a skateboard park, and perhaps more if we think of it in terms of a 'wheels arena'. There is strong support for a 'sports arena' as well and ideally it would be great to have both these facilities in Portobello, but if we had to choose between the two then the 'sports arena' was more popular and represents better value for money. A youth club or cafÃƒÂ© is more problematic because it has to be staffed and there are ongoing costs. Youth shelters are cheap - the problem is simply where to site them.

I still have the questionnaires. If anyone has an hour or two to spare and would like to look over them they are very welcome.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 26 Jun 2005, 22:01

I still don't think its valid. The survey sample was skewed towards 1st and 2nd year so it can't be taken as representative of the whole school.

Also, the choice of activities and facilities was fixed before the survey took place. A claustrophobic who dislikes ball games would have been drawn to chose a Skatepark, whether he/she had been on a skateboard or not.

Another interpretation would be that 87% of kids made it clear that a Skatepark was not their 1st choice. I can't see how that stat puts a Skatepark before the 3 other facilities, none of which exist. This survey quite clearly states that a Skatepark is the least wanted facility.

996 points from 558 kids is an average of 1.79 points out of 10, hardly persuasive numbers when one was guaranteed 1 out of 10 at the outset.

BTW I had a look at Mount Lodge swing park and I think it would suit a Skatepark and so would the swing park area at Joppa Quarry. Mind you, Ive never seen a skatepark.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Jun 2005, 22:36

As we all know, stats are easily manipulated to prove just about anything. I don't deny that I'm talking this up because I think it would be great to have a skatepark in Portobello and I know how difficult this is going to be to achieve.

So what's your motive in talking it down?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 27 Jun 2005, 09:19

Bob Jefferson wrote: So what's your motive in talking it down?

I'm not talking it down. I'm challenging the survey which you cite as being evidence that Kids want a Skatepark more than any the other of the facilities mentioned. When in actual fact its the least desirable to them. 87% chose an alternative to a SP as their first choice. That is not me talking nor is it my opinion, it is the result of the survey.

As for statistical interpretation? I defy anyone to come up with a stat fom that survey which supports a Skatepark before a Cafe/Club, Shelter or Sports Arena.

It is you that talking it up on the basis that "you think it would be great". Which is more or less the same basis as the Bandstand campaign. I'm not against either project, however i am being devils advocate.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Jun 2005, 17:07

Porty wrote:I'm not talking it down. I'm challenging the survey which you cite as being evidence that Kids want a Skatepark more than any the other of the facilities mentioned.

I have never made this claim and, on the evidence, clearly I would be bonkers to do so.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 27 Jun 2005, 23:26

Porty wrote:...... I defy anyone to come up with a stat fom that survey which supports a Skatepark before a Cafe/Club, Shelter or Sports Arena.

As 87% of all statistics are just made up anyway - ignore this part and concentrate on the remaining 13%. QED

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 28 Jun 2005, 09:49

Bob Jefferson wrote:
Porty wrote:I'm not talking it down. I'm challenging the survey which you cite as being evidence that Kids want a Skatepark more than any the other of the facilities mentioned.
I have never made this claim and, on the evidence, clearly I would be bonkers to do so.

Technically correct but you have admitted talking the idea up using the survey as a basis. Which effectively seeks to prioritise a skatepark over the other facilities. It amounts to the same thing.

If you are serious about not being perceived as bonkers, may i suggest that you refrain from making statements such as " a bandstand will benefit the whole community".

sample808 · Post by **sample808** » 17 May 2006, 14:25

very interesting thread. i, for one, think that portobello is very well suited for a skatepark on this side of the city.

as far as i am aware, the council has a fair amount of money already in place for a skatepark and have been talking about situating it in the meadows or inverleith park (ie they are not taking it seriously and looking at areas where residents commitees are going to opposed).

a few organisations already exist to put pressure on the council to get the thing built. i am not a skateboarder, i just dislike the council trying to kill off a sporting activity because it is viewed as anti-social among certain groups.

http://www.edinburghskatepark.org.uk/
http://www.skateboardscotland.com/index.php[/url]

Post by **wangi** » 18 May 2006, 03:37

To be honest the people wanting a skatepark - the skaters - need to be the ones to pull their finger out and make things happen. It'll never be presented on a plate. Just look at that site - no updates since last october?!

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 18 May 2006, 06:29

Two things spring to mind

Have the youths been asked if they would use it.Also can the CC not help with this.

Or is there anyone that can help the youths with this.

Sorry that was three.

ceejam · Post by **ceejam** » 18 May 2006, 10:25

Wherever they build a skatepark, I'd like to see a wall round it so that stray skateboards can't escape!

Having spent 8 hours in casualty with my now wife after a skateboard broke her ankle, we both have an irrational fear of skateboards!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 19 May 2006, 20:30

Izzie wrote:Two things spring to mind

Have the youths been asked if they would use it.Also can the CC not help with this.

Or is there anyone that can help the youths with this.

Sorry that was three.

Believe me we've tried! Not only for a skateboard park, but ANYTHING that would be of benefit to local teenagers. Unfortunately we've had no success for various reasons.

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 19 May 2006, 20:57

My teachers at porty always told me not to give up and to keep on asking until you get what you want

So lets help the youths of today and help them get what they want

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 19 May 2006, 22:27

I have learned that Porty, historically, was supposed to be the home of daytime entertainment in Edinburgh, eg; shows, arcades, pools, beach sports and games, etc. I think a skateboard park, a trampoline centre, a theatre, a cinema, pool halls, everything to do with having FUN, should be centred here!

I think getting the franchise for casinos and other similar business interests in this line, would attract more money into the area to build on what used to be.

Why does the community not get together and push Porty positively for all it's worth?

A skateboard park is only the beginning ...

"Anarchy is a wonderful state of mind"

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 19 May 2006, 23:21

Cleopas wrote:I think getting the franchise for casinos and other similar business interests in this line, would attract more money into the area

As an anarchist - who by definition is a revolutionary socialist bitterly opposed to capitalism and profiteering - do you think that other anarchists might have cause to question the politics of this statement?

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 19 May 2006, 23:47

Absolutely. I just never claimed to be consistent!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 28 Mar 2008, 14:20

Look like we missed out

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topst ... 3924608.jp

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Mar 2008, 18:34

Great news for the west side of the city - not a lot of use to Porty kids though. A more central location, like the Meadows or Inverleith Park, could have served the whole city. Failing that, I would like to see an equivalent facility at the new Meadowbank, or Portobello, for this end of town.

There is going to be a big gap in the NW Portobello Masterplan if the library and community centre are re-developed onsite, which is what local people seem to want, and something like this would be a great asset.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Provision for skateboarders in Portobello

Provision for skateboarders in Portobello

Re: Provision for skateboarders in Portobello

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