Local teens eagerly await opening of new Eastern Passage skate park

As he rides his skateboard over the metal ramps at the old Oceanview Skate Park in Eastern Passage, N.S., Kyle Worell looks down the street where he can see a brand new park taking shape.

"It's going to be new and better for the community," the 16-year-old said, pointing out the rust and cracks at the aging park he's currently using.

"A lot of the skaters in the Passage, they're going to other places to skate, like, I would be going into Halifax," he said. 

The new skate park is part of the Eastern Passage Common Park plan that was approved by Halifax Regional Council four years ago.

It is located on Oceanview School Road next to the ball fields. The project is estimated to cost about $800,000.

"I believe this will be one of the best skate parks in Nova Scotia to date," said John Purcell from the Halifax Skateboard Association, who worked closely with the skate park committee.

He said the park the association advocated for will suit riders of all levels.

It's also expected to be a spot where local teens will be spending a lot of time, even if they are not riding.

"It's a new place to hang out. It's just something new in the area, you know, we really need that," said Lucas Garnhum, 15.

"I hang out with a big group of skater friends," said 16-year-old Courtney Jensen. "I like to record my friends when they're skating and I'll post them for them and I'll edit the photos. They usually like that."

With construction underway, some of the slopes and features of the park are starting to take shape.

Cameron MacCallum, a carpenter with Propour Concrete Services, estimated it will take about two months to complete the park.

He and colleagues working at the site are experienced in this type of construction and also ride themselves, which he sees as another benefit.

"It's an amazing feeling getting to build something that's for the kids," he said.

MacCallum said the old park is at the end of its life, and the new one will be a major improvement over the one riders are using.

"Everything will be made with perfect transitions. It won't be metal ramps meeting the concrete sort of jankiness," MacCallum explained.

While it will require some maintenance, he said the new park will be designed to last a lifetime and will also be much safer than the existing one.

The councillor for the district, Becky Kent, said the park is the first step in a comprehensive development for the Eastern Passage Common area that will see ongoing investment in the parkland.

"We've designed it as well in an area that will have pickleball courts and tennis courts and a lot of trail space," Kent said.  

Other features are also being considered, she said, such as gazebos, a splash pad and benches to make it a family friendly space for years to come.