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NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - John G (24th Aug 2011 - 14:32:46) Hi everybody!!! Please join our Facebook page: Liphook Needs a New Skatepark Thanks! John G liphookteens@gmail.com

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - John G (24th Aug 2011 - 16:33:11) Hi all, Just to let you know we had a meeting yesterday at the Millenium Centre. Thankfully Mr Robin Young, Mr John Tough and Mrs Liz Panton (very influential people XD) all attended and are backing us on this project. A few teens (very cool dudes) showed up too and pointed out what would be ideal... Our aim is to replace the current skate park with a bigger one made of concrete, with a sheltered area with some seating. I have some designs from Wheelscape and the prices range from £19500 to £98000. I will post some of the designs on the facebook page "Liphook Needs a New Skatepark" and the prices of each one as well. Anyway, we need everybody to check out the facebook page, and the designs and let me know which one would be best. From there we will apply for funding and do whatever it takes. WE NEED YOUR HELP!! Sincerely, John G Liphookteens@gmail.com

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - dave the turk (24th Aug 2011 - 18:57:40) we already have a skate park ( which has been vandalised) built on the little rec, if the parish council has got money burning a hole in their pockets how about employing a road sweeper like we always used to have to keep the village tidy or, as someone has mentioned in another posting, keeping the rec and kiddies play area clean where mindless morons smash bottles for the kids to injure themselves on! There are a lot more worthy causes in our village than another skate park (which will be another 5 minute wonder again!)

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - John G (25th Aug 2011 - 08:19:26) Maybe if they had a descent skatepark and an area to hang out they wouldnt be so bored and end up smashing bottles in the playpark. All these teens have in Liphook is that skate park. What else is there for them? You know weve already had this debate so if your not supporting us please refrain from posting your negative comments. Thanks.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - P Weyalnd (25th Aug 2011 - 09:20:27) Liphook is a small town in Hampshire with limited space, funds and possibilites. 'Nothing to do' for teenagers will always be a problem. It was no different when I was a teenager growing up round here 25 years ago. Skate parks are always high risk projects for local council funds due to cost, risk of vandalism and general long-lasting interest. It was only 10 years ago the last one was brand spanking new - how long has it been in dis-repair? I doubt the council wants to pour funds. into what is essentially a money pit. Liphook has always been a place to get out of when looking for entertainment. This is no different as an adult either. Its just the nature of the place. At least we're blessed with a train station. I'm sure most Liphook teenagers have funds enough to go further afield to seek better facilites. Sorry I'm not providing a solution, I'm merely pointing out entertainment isnt laid on in Liphook, never has been. Doesnt mean its not a great place to live - you just need to expand your own options where sportings/recreation/fun can be had.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - John G (25th Aug 2011 - 10:16:55) Guys please, this is not a post for debates on wether Liphook needs a new skatepark, this is for people who are willing to help out to give our teens somewhere cool to hang out in Liphook as a lot of our teens dont want to join football clubs, tennis clubs and so on, they just want a place to chill, skate and be themselves without adults breathing down their necks.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - Simon Cooper (25th Aug 2011 - 10:59:44) Well done John, I'm sorry I was not able to make the meeting, nor Tom, now "swimming" at Reading Festival. He too gets out of Liphook, goes all over the place to skate, but he would be totally for the idea of providing good facilities for younger kids to take up the sport. Yes indeed folks, it is a sport now just like the other wonderful sports that many support. Yes the current kit is a shabby and in need of replacement or repair. Skaters seem to vote for replacement. Dont do either and you still have another eyesore for further vandalism by the mindless. Lets make it better. Go for it!

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - dave the turk (26th Aug 2011 - 07:16:20) dear john (aka i am right so no one elses opinion counts) no doubt i have been a parishioner a lot longer than you, and all of the time that i pay my council tax, and i am not posting rude or abusive comments, i shall say what i want, some might say that my comments were positive!

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - lily (27th Aug 2011 - 01:57:13) What did John say that was rude or offensive? Other than to ask those who are not for the skate park to refrain from comment. It is meant to be something good for the youngsters in our community. It is not all about people who have paid into the system, as most people do, (you are not an exception) It is about finding a solution for the youths who are too young to go to the pub, and too old to sit in the park. why not be positive about this? Why do we not give the next generation a chance? After all, it will be them deciding when we are old and decrepit how we should be treated. I think the answer is to listen and encourage the youths of our village. They are telling us what they need and want. To ignore them suggets to me its "my way or the highway" I think youll find the older we get it will be the"highway" you are heading for...in the fast lane.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - dave the turk (27th Aug 2011 - 08:57:51) hi lily, i did not imply that john was rude or offensive, merely that there are two sides of opinion and that i think the resources could be spent in other ways, ok yes on the youth if you like ie youth club or sports activities, but i went past the skate park the other evening, not a lot of skating going on, just a bunch of male youths smoking what i can only describe as suspect material judging by the odour! Also had to wade through broken beer bottles etc.As the previous posting said, they only have to get on a train or bus to reach activities that they wish to persue, when i was that age and still at school i was working at weekends to earn money for a car etc, i didn\'t expect it all to be put on a plate, we made our own entertainment, walking or cycling or playing music at home, going to the cinema, (we used to go on the bus or train, (paid for out of my weekend wages) i used to do paperounds, gardening jobs etc. the point i am making is that no one should expect things to be given to them on a plate just because they are BORED! Incidentally i have 2 kids that have gone through the BORED!stage so don\'t tell me i don\'t understand.I havn\'t got a downer on youth, just fed up with hearing some of them chant \'me me me!! gimme gimme gimme.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - John G (27th Aug 2011 - 10:26:41) With all respect Dave the Turk, nobody here is chanting gimme gimme gimme. All of the teens that attended the meeting were all up for organizing fund raising events, and concerts with the local bands, talent nights etc.. all in order to get the skatepark refurbished. Nobody is expecting to have it handed out, what they do expect however is some support from their community. We are also aware that there are vandals in Liphook, however if the teens work for it (which they are ready to do so), they will protect their skatepark and look after it. Not all teens are vandals, and throw bottles, but for those who do respect our community, and that are willing to be a part of it deserve our help and support. Regards, John G liphookteens@gmail.com

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - dave the turk (27th Aug 2011 - 12:39:15) that is fair a comment, and i respect that.I wasn,t painting all of you teenagers with the same brush, just making the point that the existing skate park has become a white elephant, i don't have a problem if taxpayers just make a small donation , also if you all work hard at raising the funds to finance it then there would be more interest in looking after it and respecting the little rec.I might even be tempted to make a personal donation if i see that you are making progress.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - lily (27th Aug 2011 - 13:42:03) Thats the spirit!!!

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - jo (27th Aug 2011 - 19:56:48) John, I admire your enthusiasm but a little bit of a reality check could be needed here - Dave does make good points that should be considered. I do hope your fund raising goes well but I also hope that none of this is coming from the tax payer. I'm certain there is demand for a skate park but it will only suit a minority of the local youth population. I have never seen the current skate park but by the sounds of things it is in a bad way, seems a waste to build a new one if it's not what the kids want.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - John g (27th Aug 2011 - 20:56:31) That is why we are in the process of gathering as much people as possible to support us. We also have the full support of the parish plan and our local mp. We are trying to give Liphook's teens what they want, a descent concrete skatepark that isnt a safety hazzard (like Petersfield, or Alton, even the one at the Herons in Haslemere), with a sheltered seating area where they can relax and socialize, skaters and non skaters alike. The Petersfield Post is even writing an article about our project. We will do all we can to raise the funds needed ourselves that way your hard earned tax could be used for something else, another carehome perhaps? Liphook will be left in the hands off these teens when we adults perish, i think thats something we ought to worry about more than a few thousand pounds of tax money. Thats my view on this anyway, seeing as this is turning into another debate.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - helen (28th Aug 2011 - 13:32:17) Are the figures quoted inclusive of wages, or just the costs of the new equipment? if the land upon which this is due to be built is Parish council land, then there is an onus on them to use approved contractors to ensure corrrect safety obligations are met.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - elliot (localbmxer) (28th Aug 2011 - 22:21:34) i think that the majority of people have a bad outlook on bmxing, skating etc... it seems so weird that we bmxers are all linked, like there is a brotherhood between bmxers. it crosses language barriers. i cannot think of another sport where you can just travel across the globe and instantly know someone. when i first started my grandma thought how other people thought about it (a load of youths spraying graffiti and causing havoc) its not like that at all, we hate the graffiti it makes it look crap, but worse of all its not even the bmxers or skaters that do it :L its the youths that have nothing to do, just think... why would we smash bottles at our park? i don't want to pay out 5 pounds each week for new inner tubes :L i think if you come to realise that the bmx and skate community wants to work with the council to create a safe environment for youths to have fun and ride, you should allow it :) bmx has helped me a lot in life, i've made some of my best friends through it. please realise that we don't like the graffiti and the smashed bottles as much as you do. thanks elliot!

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - Finchie (29th Aug 2011 - 08:43:53) Nicely put elliott. JohnG fantastic initiative which we are all looking to support (certainly my family and our mates). I do have a personal interest in that Finchie Jr is an avid BMXer, and the amount of focus these lads put into developing skills and tricks needs to be seen to be believed. I can see the advantage of learnng to bunny hop speed humps one handed, while going downhill at 30 mph. If I had that ability, I would have avoided the need to spend much of last week in hospital !!! A story for another time (when it doesn\'t take an hour to type a post with my one working finger !). Back to the point: JohnG, how do I find the facebook group ? I tried the other day but couldn\'t find it. However my facebook skills are limited to updating FinchieJr\'s status with something inane when he leaves himself logged in ! I just searched for \"Liphook\" and got nothing back. In my day (did i just actually type that) we were fortunate enough to be able to dissapear in woods all day, climb trees, play football in open spaces just using shirts as goals, jump in rivers, cycle in woods, hang around in groups without being moved by some jumped up pretend policeman etc. etc. Since we have created such an overbearing society, I feel at least some responsibility for trying to improve the situation, so JohnG, we\'re well up for it. Happy long weekend. Cheers, Finchie

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - John G (29th Aug 2011 - 10:26:15) Guys thanks!! Loving the positive attitude! To find the page just search "Liphook Needs a New Skatepark". Im thinking of getting a group of lads (bladers, bmxers and skaters) to do a presentation dvd about their skills, and why we need a new skatepark.. Maybe some mock accidents so people can see the dangers of the cramped, shabby current skatepark. This to go on youtube and what not. We need as many people on this as possible. Once the group is big enough we can start with fund raising and apply to all the necessary people (charities snd such). Once we have some money backing us (wich the parish plan will bank for us) then we can get the right people to draw a plan and give us a quote. Thats the idea!! Best vibes!! John g Liphookteens@gmail.com

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - JG (29th Aug 2011 - 11:17:13) I am really keen for all age groups to be able to spend their leisure time at the rec.... the oldies have their bowls, the younger ones a wonderful play park, so why not let the teens have an up to date skate park but please , please include a much needed toilet block some where for all to use.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - Biker-no-more (29th Aug 2011 - 17:42:43) Having followed this thread for a bit, bmx enthusiasts might like to know that there is a quite formidable looking track carved out in woods not far from Rake in what I suppose is Forrestry Commission land. I am not aware if it is rented/leased to a private club or organisation, as I have seen events there at week-ends.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - Anonymous (29th Aug 2011 - 19:37:23) Hello bloke who is a turk... Basicly i am a teen in liphook, and i have been part of the great debate, bringing my generation down. Too the point, you are simply following a sick steriotype, which is going to spread and infect others, bringing us down further, which is horrible. Now. I think john is doing a fantastic job in supporting us teens, and helping us out to help ourselves, and generations below ours and too come. Even if this doesent happen, i believe even us TRYING to get this skate park up and running, is a positive thing, and it shows we arent a bunch of yobs or whatever you want to throw at us, and that we DO care about the community. Wether it only for our benefit or not, it is going to benefit generations below us, and that i think is a very unselfish thing. On the subject of vandalism, i have been speaking to the council about making this skate park into a public graffiti zone, meaning it would be allowed there, anything offensive will be removed or covered. So some support would be lovely, we can do amazing things when we want to. But we cant when they are being thrown back in our faces. Rant complete, have fun reading.

Re: NEW SKATE PARK (FACEBOOK PAGE) - Sue C (30th Aug 2011 - 00:02:35) John G Well done for all you are doing towards a new skate park, it is good to see enthusiasm for the youth of Liphook and something for them to work positively towards. Can I just say that the wall behind the seats at the old skate park was planned as a graffiti wall.

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