It’s recently been bought to our attention that some eejits are still attempting to skate the unfinished park.
Why is this such a stupid idea?
1) Concrete needs to undergo a process called ‘curing.’ This is the process where
‘The cement paste hardens over time, initially setting and becoming rigid though very weak, and gaining in strength in the days and weeks following. Even though the cement reaction with water is completed over period of time (normally about around 240 minutes which is referred to as final setting time), the hardening of concrete and gain of strength is over a period of time 95% to 98% strength is achieved in 3 weeks’ (wiki)
What does it mean if you skate the park before it’s completed and the concrete has cured? The concrete is substantially more likely to crack and flake. Anyone who has skated parks where this has occurred will know how much of a pain it is. Having a few weeks patience will mean the park remains in good condition for longer.
2) If you start to skate the park before completion, it gives the illusion of carte blanche to everyone else. Kids on bikes and scooters, kids with spraypaint and pens (and even graf. writers), children who think banks make good slides all are attracted to the park. Why? Because they see skateboarders skating and ‘it’s a skatepark so must be OK to go in’
3) Why spoil the surprise and pleasure of skating the completed park for the first time. It’s like a kid sneaking into their parent’s room and opening their Christmas presents in mid-November!
In conclusion. DON’T SKATE UNTIL THE PARK IS COMPLETED AND OPEN!
