Montreal skateboarders are rallying together to protect a beloved DIY skatepark from potential demolition by the city. The park, located under the Van Horne overpass in the Mile End neighborhood, has been a popular spot for skateboarders for over a decade.
The skatepark, known as “Peace Park,” was built by skateboarders themselves using recycled materials and has become a hub for the local skateboarding community. However, the city has deemed the park unsafe and has plans to demolish it in the near future.
Skateboarders are not taking this news lightly and have organized a rally to protest the demolition. They argue that the park is not only a place for them to practice their sport, but also a space for creativity and self-expression.
“We’ve put so much time and effort into building this park, it’s like our second home,” said local skateboarder, Maxime Tremblay. “It’s not just about skateboarding, it’s about the community and the culture that we’ve created here.”
The city has stated that the park does not meet safety standards and poses a risk to both skateboarders and pedestrians. They have also expressed concerns about the legality of the park, as it was built without proper permits.
However, skateboarders argue that the park has been in use for over a decade without any major incidents and that they have taken precautions to ensure the safety of both themselves and others. They also claim that the city has not provided any alternative locations for them to skate.
The rally, which took place on Saturday, saw a large turnout of skateboarders and supporters. They held signs and chanted slogans, urging the city to reconsider their decision.
In response to the rally, the city has agreed to meet with skateboarders to discuss potential solutions. They have also stated that they are open to finding a new location for the skatepark, as long as it meets safety standards and is built with proper permits.
Skateboarders remain hopeful that a compromise can be reached and that their beloved Peace Park can be saved. They believe that the park is not only important to them, but also to the community as a whole.
“We’re not just a bunch of kids causing trouble,” said Tremblay. “We’re a community that has come together to create something special and we hope the city can see that.”
