Skateboard fans in Hobart are coming together to demand a makeover of the North Hobart Skate Park. This park has been a beloved asset of the local skating community since its creation in 2002. Known as Elizabeth College Skate Park or EC, the venue has become a cherished space for multiple generations of skaters. The park’s infrastructure is rapidly aging, making it increasingly difficult to use and enjoy the park. Local skater Harrison Mol is spearheading a petition to bring this important facility back to life.
The North Hobart Skate Park, located adjacent to Elizabeth College, has served as a central hub for Hobart’s skate scene for over two decades. The park is rich in history and gives rise to many happy memories. As nice as the amenities are, including a vert ramp, they simply don’t match up with amenities found at the best skate parks on the continent. A larger number of these skaters now encounter safety issues from cracks and broken-down surfaces, and the community is hoping for urgent repairs.
A Legacy of Community and Skill
The North Hobart Skate Park is iconic to the community of skaters in Hobart. Louis Carney, longtime skater and father of Iris Carney, underlines the cultural importance of the park. “It is more than just concrete and it’s so deeply embedded with decades of history, stories and community identity,” he stated.
It’s no surprise that each week, hundreds of young skaters from all over the valley flock to the park, especially girls during She Shreds nights. Paul McMacken, who coaches these sessions, provides high-performance training. To keep talent in the area, he agrees that focusing on modern and updated facilities is key. “Before She Shreds started, I probably could have named one or two, three girls in Tasmania who skated,” he noted, showcasing the growing interest among female skaters.
The intended improvements would go a long way toward bringing the park’s hazards into this century and return it to its legendary status of the early 2000s. Our community envisions a facility that will accommodate the diverse training needs of competitive and recreational skaters of all ages! They want it to create a safe and encouraging space too.
Calls for Government Support
Local skaters have been calling on the state government to provide proper facilities that serve their community. According to planner Paul McMacken, that new development needs to be in line with today’s big picture trends and best practices. “I think they need to understand now it’s an Olympic sport; we’ve got skaters down here that could be competing on the world stage,” he asserted.
Harrison Mol has voiced these concerns, through his actions and leadership in the fight as a canvasser along the petition calling for the park’s retreat. He stated, “It’s no longer up to the standard that it should be.” We want to see better infrastructure built. It sheds light on the importance of incorporating community feedback into the design process.
Planning Board Chair Paul McMacken illustrated the value of collaboration. He says the upgrade is an opportunity for local councils and designers to work more closely with the skate community. “It’s critical that the council and the designers work closely with the local skate community,” he emphasized.
Facing Challenges and Seeking Opportunities
As skater Zailee Jackson tells it, she and her peers have felt the impact of the potential improvements that North Hobart Skate Park needs. However, despite her dreams of pursuing a career as a professional skateboarder, Elaine understands that practicing in Tasmania can be especially difficult. “It would be pretty cool to become a professional skateboarder,” she said, but noted, “It’s a bit hard down here in Tassie to get to that good of a level.”
Zailee has seen progress at the skate parks on the mainland, which offer chances for higher-level practice and training. She expressed concern over the condition of North Hobart Skate Park, stating, “A lot of the concrete is falling apart so it makes it a bit tricky to dodge the holes in the concrete.”
Community members feel that this upgrade will significantly upgrade skating quality. They believe it will enhance the park’s role as a centerpiece gathering space for local youth. As Harrison Mol remarked, “If you come down here on a weekend or during peak times, it is packed. It’s still obviously a highly valued location.”
The youth skateboard community in Hobart is vibrant, passionate and optimistic about the future. They know their voices can help spearhead tangible improvements to their North Hobart Skate Park. Vancouver local skaters and coaches are zealously rallying around their historic venue. With the industry’s help, it can once again become one of the nation’s best places to develop talent and strengthen community ties.
