18 December 2020
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Roller skater's request re path and playground surfaces
Enquiry
I'm working on a story about roller skaters being 'frustrated' by the use of a pumice/stone gravel mix for footpaths at parks in the district, particularly Puketawhero Park and what she understands to be planned for the Lakefront.
I've got her comments below for right of reply as well as my own questions.
Please let me know if anything Robinson has said is incorrect from the council's point of view.
Questions:
What is the footpath material being referred to - what is it called?
Why is it used - what does the council see as the benefits of it?
What is the council's response to the points Layla Robinson has made?
Does the council plan on taking Robinson's / the roller skating community's points into consideration with future park developments? Why / why not?
Is the council open to considering filling in the gaps at Puketawhero Park with concrete so that roller skaters might be able to enjoy the park more, as Robinson indicates?
Comments:
Full open letter here: https://www.facebook.com/skaterotorua/posts/2838185389771010
Layla Robinson, co-founder of Rotorua's roller derby league, the Sulphur City Steam Rollers, said she and other skaters are frustrated about the poor quality of the design of some recreational spaces in the district which are "totally impractical" for roller skaters.
Robinson has written an open letter to the Rotorua Lakes Council regarding the issue.
"Dear Rotorua Lakes Council, please refrain from using the terrible pumice/stone/dust stuff that you seem so fond of, near concrete or playgrounds in current and future developments.
"Stones are not friends to those using small wheels, such as skateboards, scooters, roller skates or roller blades," the letter reads.
"We have also been informed by our friends on slightly larger wheels, that this surface is not cool for wheelchairs either! Booooo
"Even the most experienced skater ... can break their whole face off when they try to navigate their way over these stones. It's not safe, and it's just not logical.
"We, your small-wheeled community (no, we're not all mountain bikers) implore you to consult with us prior to designing anything else intended for us to use. So much of what's happening isn't useable and it could be."
Robinson signed off the letter saying the skating community appreciated the smoothly paved cycleways.
Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting, Robinson said a good example of the problem was at Puketawhero Park.
She said the material was difficult and dangerous to skate on, which meant roller skaters had to navigate around it rather than being able to skate continuously through the park.
"I'm sure it's a designers dream, in their head it looks really good but it's totally impractical."
Additionally, the material tended to bleed onto nearby smooth concrete surfaces, which proved a hazard for many kinds of skaters as it promoted skidding, and small pieces of gravel and dust could stop wheels from turning.
She understood the council regularly canvassed skateboarders for their input on parks, but different circumstances applied to roller skaters.
"With scooters and skateboards you can get off those in a second and walk from one place to another if there's a hazard or something unskatable in between. We can't take our skates off in a second."
If the parts of Puketawhero Park with the material were filled in with concrete, it would make the park "ten times better" for skaters, she said.
Robinson said roller skating was seeing a "resurgence", particularly after the Covid-19 lockdown.
She said the roller-skating community was "desperate" for a roller-skating rink in the city but needed to gather $14,000 for a feasibility study before the idea would be considered by the council.
She said that was another reason why it was important for the council to consider roller skaters' requirements outside - because they had no other choice.
She said the rink would not have to be purpose built but could be a warehouse space that wasn't being used.
Response
Council sought extension to deadline set by reporter (3pm today) as relevant staff were unavailable today. Reporter extended deadline by half an hour.
The following response was provided:
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. A staff member will contact Layla Robinson directly to discuss her concerns and ideas.