Residents are to be asked for their views on plans for two skateboard parks.

Oxford City Council is planning to build a £34,500 skate park in Oatlands Road recreation ground, off Botley Road, and a £21,500 mini skate ramp in the Horspath Road recreation ground at Cowley.

The idea to build the skateboard parks came after the council asked Oxford youth groups a year ago what facilities they would like in the city.

Both skate parks will be in open park areas and will not be close to any houses. People living near the two recreation grounds are to be sent details of the plans and asked for their views.

Local community groups will also be consulted.

Cllr Bob Price, chairman of the leisure services committee said: "We hope these skate parks will provide a focal point for youngsters to let off steam that is not in an anti-social way.

"The idea is that we don't put them too close to houses. We put them in open parkland so that there is enough space around for people to watch, at the same time as people are doing active things. The skate parks will not be locked, but I don't think you need to lock them up. "If you decide to lock them you need to pay someone to lock them and fences get vandalised. They are pretty vandal-proof because they are made of concrete.

"The skate park near Matthew Arnold School is open and it is not abused at all."

The outcome of the public consultation is due to be reported back to the committee on November 29.

If members decide to go ahead with the plans the skate parks should be ready for use by Easter next year.

Story date: Friday 15 October

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.