Great article. Really enjoyed reading that. It seems there is a need to find new uses for the high streets that attract people to come and spend time and money, and there is also a need for a safe, free, street space for young (and perhaps not so young) skaters to come hang out and spend money in newly opened skate shops and cafes. There's lots of empty space on Chatham high street that could make safe, out of the way skate zones that would bring a new energy to the area.
I vaguely remember a meeting in Rainham between boarders and 'the public' before the Cozenton facility went in. It wasn't without friction but seemed generally positive in the end and hopefully informed the project.
One of the problems these days, even before the Splashes redevelopment, was lack of parking for those driving to use it, leading to more demand on the increasingly difficult to navigate immediate area. Clearly the Council needs to consider that these facilities are not just for 'the kids' and plan appropriately in future.
I'm all for supporting the skateboarders and found this really interesting. I'm also here for the elderly and frail though, so I feel the need to point out that those metal bars pictured on the benches are really important for helping the elderly - who if they're anything like my Dad need lots of rests when out walking - to be able to get up once they've sat down. Eventually, we'll all need those bars to help us stand up...
Fair point, hadn't really considered that. Sure they do also have benefits, but also find it curious that they pop up primarily in the main skating locations and not so much in the areas with significant elderly populations. There's presumably a middle ground somewhere for someone smarter than myself to figure out.
Agreed. And I'm guessing there are times when things are installed – or not – with only one small section of society being considered, rather than looking at the varying needs of the whole. I also wish I was smart enough to work it all out.
I hadn’t considered that use for the metal bars and just assumed they were there to stop rough sleepers and skateboarders. But there’s no reason they can’t do all 3!
This is kind of the problem, it's common to assume the reason for a thing is the reason that's most impactful to us. Whereas even if the decision maker is aware of all three options, they may have actually put the bars there for reasons 4 or 5 that we can't even guess at...
Great article. Really enjoyed reading that. It seems there is a need to find new uses for the high streets that attract people to come and spend time and money, and there is also a need for a safe, free, street space for young (and perhaps not so young) skaters to come hang out and spend money in newly opened skate shops and cafes. There's lots of empty space on Chatham high street that could make safe, out of the way skate zones that would bring a new energy to the area.
Spaces like that are being built in larger cities so we know it is possible to design urban spaces with skateboarders in mind. Nottingham has a fantastic purpose built area that was once a neglected "dead space" - https://www.theskateboarderscompanion.com/post/an-introduction-to-nottingham-s-tram-line-spot
Great article Ed, really interesting
I vaguely remember a meeting in Rainham between boarders and 'the public' before the Cozenton facility went in. It wasn't without friction but seemed generally positive in the end and hopefully informed the project.
One of the problems these days, even before the Splashes redevelopment, was lack of parking for those driving to use it, leading to more demand on the increasingly difficult to navigate immediate area. Clearly the Council needs to consider that these facilities are not just for 'the kids' and plan appropriately in future.
I'm all for supporting the skateboarders and found this really interesting. I'm also here for the elderly and frail though, so I feel the need to point out that those metal bars pictured on the benches are really important for helping the elderly - who if they're anything like my Dad need lots of rests when out walking - to be able to get up once they've sat down. Eventually, we'll all need those bars to help us stand up...
Fair point, hadn't really considered that. Sure they do also have benefits, but also find it curious that they pop up primarily in the main skating locations and not so much in the areas with significant elderly populations. There's presumably a middle ground somewhere for someone smarter than myself to figure out.
Agreed. And I'm guessing there are times when things are installed – or not – with only one small section of society being considered, rather than looking at the varying needs of the whole. I also wish I was smart enough to work it all out.
I hadn’t considered that use for the metal bars and just assumed they were there to stop rough sleepers and skateboarders. But there’s no reason they can’t do all 3!
This is kind of the problem, it's common to assume the reason for a thing is the reason that's most impactful to us. Whereas even if the decision maker is aware of all three options, they may have actually put the bars there for reasons 4 or 5 that we can't even guess at...