Maclean Park Skatepark Upgrade Nears Completion, Bringing Exciting Changes
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Skatepark at Paraparaumu Beach which is going to be revamped. Photo / David Haxton
Paraparaumu Beach’s Maclean Park skatepark is on the verge of a highly anticipated upgrade. Glen Olsen, chairman of the Paraparaumu Community Board, has shared exciting details about the forthcoming improvements, highlighting their potential to cater to a range of skateboarding disciplines and offer numerous benefits.
Olsen emphasised that this upgrade is not only about enhancing the park but also about attracting people to the area, ultimately benefiting the community. Construction is set to commence immediately after the school holidays in February, with an estimated closure period of three months.
The planned upgrades for the skatepark are extensive, including the addition of a flow bowl, jump boxes, mini ramps, open spaces, and more. Notably, a controlled graffiti wall will also be introduced, with a primary focus on ensuring the park’s versatility to accommodate various activities.
In the past, the skatepark featured a memorial wall dedicated to the popular skater Martin Kaukau, and plans are in place to reinstate this memorial wall in the redesigned skatepark.
The design process has involved substantial public input, and despite evolving based on feedback, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Olsen. Additionally, Seaside Skates, a well-known local skate shop with a significant user base at the park, contributed to the design process.
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Skatepark at Paraparaumu Beach. Photo / David Haxton
Olsen expressed confidence in the community’s involvement, stating, “There has been a good opportunity for the community to engage.”
Furthermore, research extended beyond community input, with the project team closely examining skateparks across the country to identify best practices.
The current design was crafted by a team of specialist skatepark designers from Christchurch, known for their involvement in creating skateparks nationwide.
Maclean Park’s skatepark has a rich history, dating back to the early 1950s when a skating rink was first constructed. Over the years, the facility has seen several additions, including resurfacing in 1961 and the introduction of a skateboard area in 1977, later upgraded to include a skateboard ramp. While the skate bowl underwent expansion in the early 2010s, it has seen limited refurbishment since then.
Today, the skatepark accommodates a variety of disciplines, not just skateboarding, with scootering gaining popularity in recent times. Olsen emphasised that the renewal comes at an opportune moment, preventing potential safety hazards due to the park’s aging infrastructure.
Having grown up in Paraparaumu and now with three sons who frequently use the skatepark, Olsen emphasized the personal significance of these upgrades, describing them as “fantastic.”
