Skateboarders who are looking for a place to skate in the city’s downtown core are suddenly getting some support from Edmonton’s mayor.
Mayor Stephen Mandel asked city administration yesterday to come up with a report on the possibility of having a skateboard park in the downtown core since many areas and existing parks already prohibit skateboarding.
“There is focus on our youth and there is a need to keep them engaged and active,” said Mandel at a city council meeting yesterday. “We do have some programs in place, but not nearly enough.”
Churchill Square also prohibits skateboarding, but Mandel says the city must provide space for “this harmless and healthy activity.”
“This is basically a dream come true for Edmonton city skaters,” said local skateboarder Tim Mercer.
Mercer said a central park in the city is urgently needed since local skaters travel far distances to get to parks in Millwoods or Castledowns — or outside the city to parks in Morinville or Leduc.
A report is expected to come back to the city’s community services committee later this year.
