Newclair resident believes Skate Park can save youth
Le Grange’s request was motivated by a holiday programme he conducted through the Sloppy Skateboard South Africa initiative in 2022.
A skating enthusiast, Joshua Le Grange from Newclair is pleading with local community members to support a petition to have a skate park built for the youth of Newclair and neighbouring communities.
Le Grange’s request was motivated by a holiday programme he conducted through the Sloppy Skateboard South Africa initiative in 2022.
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He said the programme played a vital part in keeping children safe and away from bad influences prevalent in the area such as gangs, crime, drugs and substance abuse.
He shared that they started the programme with only one skateboard that catered for over 15 children but eventually, children who had boards, scooters and roller skates brought them from home.
His request for a skate park comes after they were forced to halt the programme because of the risk of skating on the streets.
“That is when I wrote the petition to get a skate park built and I am still in the petition process.
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“We stopped the activities two years ago, but during school holidays, children always come to me to ask if we could resume the programme.
“My future insight is to also get more facilities like this with Sloppy Skateboard SA,” said Le Grange.
He said he believes that a skate park will benefit the community by providing a secure and safer environment for the children and adults, to develop skills in an environment designed for groups and individuals.
Residents who wish to support Le Grange’s vision for the community may follow the link to sign the petition: https://chng.it/4WyMwmC9mB. Alternatively, you can sign by scanning the code on your smartphone.
