Eleven-year-old Sam Hamilton wanted to do something about it, so he wrote to Cessnock City Council asking if it could build a skate park in Branxton.

When he was told no – as there is already a district-level skate park in Greta and plans for another to be built at the neighbouring new town of Huntlee – he started a petition and gained more than 200 signatures in support of his call.

The petition was presented to Cessnock City Council in April, and Sam had the opportunity to address the council when a report came back to last week’s meeting.

“I love riding my scooter and BMX but there are not many areas in Branxton where my friends and I can ride our scooters safely,” Sam said.

“I knew it wasn’t just me who wanted a skate park so I made a community petition and ended up getting over 200 signatures.”

While Greta Skate Park is only a couple of kilometres away, it’s via the New England Highway, meaning the Branxton kids have to get their parents to take them.

Sam’s mum Emma said there’s also not much for younger children to do at the Greta park, while Miller Park has a playground and many other facilities.

Sam says Miller Park is a perfect location for a skate park because there is plenty of open space, toilets, water taps, shade, picnic tables, a kids’ playground and an outdoor gym.

“It is also located in a public place so it's safe for stranger danger and minimises vandalism,” he said.

“In summary, Miller Park has pretty much everything that Greta skate park doesn't.”

Cessnock Council has identified Huntlee as a more suitable site to construct a district-level skate park, as it will eventually be the largest town centre in the Greta-Branxton Urban Planning District.

But the council recognises that there is demand for such facilities in Branxton, and through its draft Miller Park Masterplan 2017, planning is in place to construct a ‘pump track’ at the park.

A pump track is a continuous loop of berms and rollers that people ride without needing to pedal or push.

“This will offer a facility with a point of difference for skateboard, BMX and scooter riders and will ensure there are local facilities available to the residents of Branxton and that the facility compliments the experiences offered at Greta and Huntlee,” the council report said.

Sam said while he and his friends would love to see a district-level skate park built at Branxton, if it proves too expensive they would be happy with a pump track.

Council supported the recommendation that it proceed with the current strategic direction of establishing a pump track at Miller Park and a district-level skate and BMX facility at Huntlee.

Ward C councillor Melanie Dagg said the pump track was an exciting project that could cost significantly less than a skate park.

“They (pump tracks) are few and far between at this stage so we could potentially see skaters, BMXers and scooter kids travelling to Branxton for the track,” she said. 

The council also plans to establish pathway connections from Branxton to the current skate park in Greta and proposed skate park in Huntlee. 

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