City streets will come alive with skaters this Sunday 12th February as part of Splash Adelaide, a campaign jointly funded by the State Government and Adelaide City Council that aims to enliven and activate the city’s streets and underused spaces over summer.
The City Street Skate will be held from 9.30am for a 10am start, beginning and ending in Victoria Square near the John McDouall Stuart statue (corner of Victoria Square and Flinders Street). It’s free to join in.
Organised by SkateSA, the marshalled and guided event is open to any skater who is able to stop, turn and control their speed. Both inline (rollerblade) and quad (roller skate) skaters are welcome as are children but they must be accompanied by a responsible adult. All skaters must wear a helmet. There will be a police escort to ensure everyone’s safety.
Adelaide City Councillor Natasha Malani said, “Similar events have been held in London and New York and it’s spectacular to watch with a real sense of energy. Anyone who loves to skate is encouraged to join in – it will be a very social event – and when else would you get a chance to skate the streets of Adelaide?”
The circuit is six kilometres long, leaving from Victoria Square and travelling down King William Street, along South Terrace and into the busy restaurant stretch of Hutt Street. Here the skating group will stop for a quick coffee at Cibo’s Espresso, a part sponsor of the event, and then head down Flinders Street back to Victoria Square.
Those who are up for it can then do another lap. Music playing along the route will keep the skaters rolling and their energy up.
“Splash Adelaide is all about experimenting with new ideas, trying them out and if people enjoy them, possibly keeping them going,” Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said.
“As the City Street Skate doesn’t involve any road closures or major traffic interruptions, if it’s a success it could well become a regular event.”
Feedback on Splash Adelaide initiatives is welcomed via [email protected] and will be considered as part of the pilot’s assessment. For further information, head to www.splashadelaide.com.
Other Splash Adelaide projects currently happening around the city include:
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Bike Park in Hindmarsh Square, run by Bike SA and providing secure bike storage, showers, toilets and cloakroom, maps and information, as well as food and coffee.
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Outdoor dining in Chesser Street including bright blue lanterns, artificial grass, wine barrels and planters, and shaded spots to sit and relax over summer plus live music in the evenings.
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‘Shangri-La in the City,’ hosted by the Saldechin Tea Room, includes a new al-fresco dining space, laneway bar and the closure of Gresham Place and Gresham Lane.
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Leigh Street ‘Alfresco Fridays’ with increased outdoor dining and road closure from 12 noon
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The East End Association’s ‘Summer Fridays’, which are now continuing until the end of March
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Street food vendors around the city – waffles, burgers and more!
For further information about the City Street Skate event, head to the SkateSA Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/CityStreetSkateAdelaide
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