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Calls for Little Oasis Crazy Skate in Cliftonville to return

14:21, 11 December 2020

updated: 16:20, 11 December 2020

Campaigners are calling for a demolished DIY skatepark to be resurrected - as the land has now remained empty for six years.

The Little Oasis Crazy Skate in Cliftonville was built in 2013 by skateboarders on top of a derelict crazy golf centre by the seafront.

The current state of the Little Oasis site, pictured here in 2020. Picture: Callier Epps
The current state of the Little Oasis site, pictured here in 2020. Picture: Callier Epps

It attracted adults and children alike and supporters say it helped tackle anti-social behaviour.

But Thanet District Council deemed the park a safety hazard and had it flattened in March 2014.

The community responded with fury and protested against the decision.

Callier Epps, who regularly used the skatepark, recently made a short film about residents demanding the return of Little Oasis.

“I think it gave kids in the area - who weren’t necessarily into skateboarding at the time - a chance to try something new and get out causing trouble out of pure boredom,” he said.

Callier Epps has called for the skatepark to return in Cliftonville. Picture: Callier Epps
Callier Epps has called for the skatepark to return in Cliftonville. Picture: Callier Epps

He believes it helped reduce anti-social behaviour and petty crime in the area.

The 21-year-old added: “Older skaters treated the younger ones with a mutual respect and you don’t really see that anywhere else with the older generations.

“I think growing up in Thanet it is very boring for kids and there isn’t a lot to do, so you have to make your own fun most of the time and that comes through anti-social behaviour.”

He is disappointed there is currently nothing at the former site - which is fenced off - and that it is far more dangerous than the skatepark.

Former district councillor Ian Driver, who objected to the closure at the time, is also calling for it to return, adding: “I thought it brought a lot of integration to the community because you had people from many different backgrounds coming together to make this project happen.

The former skate park after it was demolished, pictured here in 2014. Picture: Matt Bristow
The former skate park after it was demolished, pictured here in 2014. Picture: Matt Bristow

“What I found to be really positive about it was young people put together a very complicated project and ran it like a business.”

A Thanet District Council spokesperson told how the site is part of a wider asset review which is looking at how council-owned assets can be best utilised to support the recovery of the district.

"The area has been identified as suitable for disposal with restrictions to prevent development as per cabinet decision dated December 16, 2019," they said.

"As part of the development of the Town Investment Plan, health and wellbeing - alongside a renewed use of outdoor spaces, the coastline and promenades - has been put forward.

"This includes proposals for a skate park however we will factor in the placement of existing infrastructure e.g. Hartsdown when considering where any potential investment will go.

They continued: "Any decision rests on the details and one will only be made when the final proposals have been worked up. Further information about the Margate Town Deal can be found here.

"There are already a number of places across Thanet where skateboarders can practice."

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet

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