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AN ONLINE petition to open a skate park in Killarney has attracted almost a thosuand signatures in only a month and teenagers throughout the town have backed the campaign.

At present, youngsters skateboard at two main locations in Killarney – beside the courthouse and next to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, New Road. But they find they are usually asked to move on.

They are supported in their quest for a skate park by Councillor Donal Grady who has brought the matter to the attention of the local authority over the years.
He said €20,000 would develop a park. “We need to get a safe area to develop this. The motion was passed by the council and we want young people to have input in developing this facility,” Cllr Grady said. “First we have to find a suitable place.”

A Killarney family told Killarney Advertiser that their children are envious of their counterparts in other countries and counties who can access a skate park whenever they want.

The nearest skate parks to Killarney are in Ballincollig and Limerick city centre. “It's a shame that our sons have to travel outside the county to enjoy the sport they love,” they stated. “Facilities are much better developed in continental Europe. Ever since the boys were small the skateboard and scooter have been the first thing into the suitcase for a trip abroad, and the itinerary usually includes visits to a skate park or two.

“Driving through France and Spain it's quite common to see villages with their own skate park, and in cities like Brussels and Barcelona the skaters are a tourist attraction in their own right.”
 

 
Above: Cllr Donal Grady with Killarney skateboarders Tomas Connolly and Daire Carey. Pic: Eamonn Keogh