The skate park in Grafing is definitely past its prime. The tar floor is porous and rough, the ramps are old and run down. The park has therefore not been used extensively for a long time. “Real skating is not possible there,” says Marius Leitner, chairman of the roller sports club in Ebersberg. Instead, the park at the ice stadium has dwindled to a “drinking club”. Often there are broken pieces on the ground. Accident-free skating is hardly conceivable here, says Leitner. But that should change now. The Ebersberg roller sports club has big plans: a new, attractive skating landscape is to be created in Grafing.
The aim of the project is to revive the skate, BMX and scooter scene in Grafing. “The park will be unparalleled in Bavaria,” predicts Leitner confidently. The club boss initiated the renovation together with Grafing’s youth worker Ibrahim Al-Kass. The roller sports club in Ebersberg was founded in 2008. Marius Leitner, now 27, has been a member for 14 years. The club now has around 90 members, most of whom are young BMX or scooter riders and skaters. Together they have set themselves the goal of promoting youth culture in the Ebersberg district. “A skate park is also a place where culture and art take place,” says Leitner.
Young people should actively help with the design of the park
A few years ago, the association organized a renovation of the skate park in Ebersberg. Together with the internationally renowned street art artist Daniel Man, the privacy walls of the park were also sprayed. “As an association, we want to be a mouthpiece between the communities and the young people,” said Leitner. The renovation of the skate park in Grafing has been under discussion for some time. “Most of the time the communities lack know-how and money is spent on things that are not needed.”
The Ebersberg skate park with art by Daniel Man on the wall.
(Photo: Christian Endt)
It is particularly important to the association that the wishes and needs of young people are taken into account when planning the Grafinger skate park: Anyone who wants to can send their personal concerns and ideas to the organizers via email or Instagram and actively help with the design of the skate landscape . Submissions are accepted until March 27th.
A so-called mini-ramp measuring 20 by 30 meters is currently being planned. This is a skate park with a flat part between two curves with extensions, so-called “copings”, and platforms on each side. The module is used to drive back and forth and to perform tricks on the “copings”. “The ramp should be about one and a half meters high,” says Leitner. “And we want to cover as wide a spectrum as possible with different extensions, heights and obstacles.”
The planning committee will decide exactly what these extensions should look like in three weeks’ time – of course taking into account the wishes and ideas of the young people. In addition, a kind of container or a roof is planned. Floodlights make it possible to skate in the evening and are intended to deter, i.e. prevent vandalism. The city of Grafing finances the project. Cost point: 70,000 euros. “The mayor in particular always had an open ear for us and was very supportive in the planning,” said Leitner. Pentecost should start the renovation.
The ramps in Grafing are pretty run down, they no longer invite you to drive. But that should change soon.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Skate park diversity in the district is increased
“I hope that the new skate park will be accepted, respected and used properly by the young people,” says Leitner. The facility should not only benefit those from Grafing, but also skaters from the surrounding communities. “We want to increase the variety of skate parks in the district and hope that many will also come from other districts.” Leitner hopes that the park will inspire more young people to skate. “What’s special about skating is the community,” says Leitner: Anyone interested and motivated can come along. “We help each other and teach each other different tricks.” From the summer, the association would like to offer skate courses as part of the holiday program.
Submissions are accepted via Instagram rollsport.ebersberg.ev or by mail to [email protected]