skateboarding:Meabh Nig Uidhir

A new skate park has opened in Mile End offering free tuition to local kids and teenagers.

Run by the council’s Youth and Connexions Service, Mile End Skate Park is already proving a hit with local youngsters keen on practicing their stake boarding and BMX skills.

The facility is equipped with an indoor training ramp, space for youth projects, an outdoor street course and LCB Skate Shop.

Pete Lindsell, owner of LCB Skate Shop said that the park was great for the area as it gave local kids the chance “to try out sports.”

Free lessons for 11-18-year-olds take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4.00pm-8.00pm. You don’t have to own a skate board to join the fun.

Aaron, 15, from Mile End said: “it’s good especially when it’s raining, I would probably be stuck inside otherwise.”

Hackney Council recently announced plans to remove graffiti from a new stake park in Stoke Newington; however, the walls around Mile End Skate Park are classified as a legal graffiti area and hope not to have similar problems in the future.

The skate park can be found at:  Mile End Park, St Pauls Way  (off Burdett rd).  For more infomration ring 020 7364 0864

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