All aboard for Lyttelton’s skate park upgrade

A revamped skate park – complete with a new bowl – has been officially opened in Lyttelton today.

The skate park includes a new quarter pipe, ramps, multiple features, rails and edges, and a fresh “side-to-side flow”.

Sinclair Perano tests out the new Lyttelton skate park.

Designed for beginner to intermediate skateboarders, the Oxford Street Reserve site will also feature colourful new murals.

The $375,000 site upgrade includes extensive playground landscaping and repairs to the park’s earthquake-damaged heritage walls.
The walls formed part of the original Lyttelton Gaol opened in 1851.

Christchurch City Council project manager Jon Malis says the revamped skate park is a “big asset for the portside town”.

“Designed by Campbell Johnson and constructed by Nelson Creek Skateboards, the skate park will be complemented by bright new murals,” Mr Malis says.

“We are in the process of choosing a mural artist,” he says.

The site project began as earthquake repairs to the heritage retaining walls.

“The skate park redesign became part of the project when the engineers’ design made it necessary to demolish half of the existing skate park features and it was found that the concrete features aided the wall stability,” Mr Malis says.

Bluff-based South Port has also contributed to the skate park upgrade, wanting to support the local community.

“South Port has had a close working relationship with Lyttelton Port Company over the years,” South Port Business Development Manager Jamie May says.

“With the devastation felt in the Canterbury region through the earthquakes, the company thought it was appropriate to support the community with a donation towards their skate park rebuild.”