AIBU?
Toddlers on scooters in Skate Parks
BrendaFlange · 24/08/2015 11:15
AIBU to think that whilst teens should not use playgrounds and equipment provided for younger children, it is unreasonable for parents to allow small children and toddlers on scooters to monopolise skate parks?
The skate park near us is well used by young teens (and younger children, 7 years and up) who are learning or proficient in skateboarding, stunt biking and stunt scootering. Amongst themselves they have a well ordered etiquette for ensuring that people do not crash. There is no other provision for teens anywhere in the vicinity.
My son and his friends have frequently had to come home because parents of 2 and 3 year olds are allowing their children to use micro scooters in the skate park, and get very shirty with the teens, telling them off, warning them not to skate, shouting at them (they would NEVER endanger a child). My DS asked a child who was sitting at the bottom of a ramp just enjoying the time of day to sit elsewhere, and got an aggressive mouthful from the mother. There is miles of alternative space for toddler scootering - but their presence in the skate park makes it unusable for skate boarders.
And suppose a toddler wanders into the path of a skateboarder in the skatepark and gets hurt? A 12 year old may not be able to anticipate the next move of a pre-schooler.
AIBU?
godsavethequeeeen · 24/08/2015 11:21
yanbu. We've only scooted at the skate park in the early mornings when teenagers are all in bed. as soon as the big kids arrive the dc's have to move aside.
I have seen other parents letting their young dc's get in the way of the bmx and skaters though 
.
Micah · 24/08/2015 11:26
YANBU.
Is it possible to send the council or speak to the park keeper?
I'd suggest putting an age minimum on, describe what you witness, that your teenage boys want to avoid injuring small children so don't feel able to use the facility. Plus they are getting aggro of adults when they're there on their* own, when they don't have an adult advocate.
Or have toddler times- school hours. Or a simple notice pointing out the facilities are for older children who have priority- I think ours has something like that, under 7's can use it but must give priority to older children.
*wow, check out my use of there, their and they're!
ReadtheSmallPrint · 24/08/2015 11:29
YANBU!!!
DS is 9 and has been using the local skate park for the last year and we've seen this a lot.
On one occasion a couple of boys (about 7) were sliding down a ramp on their bums or rolling down it on their sides (only one scooter between them and it wasn't suitable for ramps). They then lay at the bottom of a ramp. My DH asked one of the boys to move and he was then approached by the mum (who was sitting a long way away and stabbing at her phone). She accused DH of being a 'paedo' - asking what he was doing at a skate park. When he replied that he was waching his watching his 8 year old son she demanded that he not speak to her children again and walked off. They boys continued to use the ramps as a slide.
CheddarGorgeous · 24/08/2015 11:36
YABU a bit.
Toddlers monopolising skate parks, YANBU, but...
Toddlers on scooters are the skateboarders of the future.
At my local skate park the surly teens whip round the skate park with terrifying speed, then stop for a minute, let my (then) 5yo DD tootle down the smallest ramp, then she stood aside and they did their thing again.
She's getting bigger and braver and more skilled as time goes on.
There should be a good self policed attitude at skate parks where the older/advanced ones give space to the younger/beginners. It's the circle of life. 
VinylScratch · 24/08/2015 11:39
I've taken my 4 year old to the skate park with her balance bike a few times but always during the day in term time when the big kids are in school. Once a couple of adult skaters turned up when we were there, I told her to come off the ramps and they said it was fine, let her stay and were so lovely with her. I can see how it would be annoying for toddlers to be there at busy times though, we don't go at weekends, that's the big kids' time.
longtimelurker101 · 24/08/2015 11:41
YANBU.
Toddlers on scooters are for back garden use or use on the flat in the park, no where else. The number of parents allowing toddlers, and older children, to use scooters in unsuitable places this summer is amazing. No they cannot scoot down Oxford Street, no they cannot use it on tube platforms, no the Kilburn High Road is not a suitable place.
Far too many parents these days indulge their little princes and princesses terribly, its why at school we have such problems with children who have never really heard the world no and get terribly upset when they don't get their own way.
Mind you, adults on scooters annoy me even more, if you want to travel quickly buy a bike and use the road.
BrendaFlange · 24/08/2015 11:41
Cheddar - yes, that is all included in the etiquette and protocols they have. Skateparks actually seem to have a good community, self-policing and encouraging feel. DS and his friends were helped and encouraged by older / ore experienced skaters when they started, they have made friends, people look out for each other's bags etc.
The toddlers we have witnessed many times put paid to any question of anyone whipping round at furious speed at any time - so there goes the future of your DD's need for speed!
coffeeisnectar · 24/08/2015 11:42
Yanbu, sounds bloody dangerous and there's plenty of places toddlers can play. Teens have very few places just for them and if they can't use skate parks because of entitled mothers, they will have nothing else to do.
Great idea of getting the kids to write to the council.
And yy to parents with kids on scooters everywhere. We were at Bournemouth air show on Saturday and it was heaving. You couldn't move in some places, people were trying to create gaps to get wheelchairs through and prams...And then there were tiny tots on scooters on the middle of this crush, being tripped over, driving into people's legs....absolute madness. Don't get me started on the people who thought this would be a good day out for their dog!!
BrendaFlange · 24/08/2015 11:44
Longtime - you missed out toddlers on scooters whizzing round the aisles of Sainsbury's on a Saturday morning
In general, I love to see small children on scooters - a good beginning for cycling and being self sufficient, and I am impressed at the level of skill (and daring!) they achieve. But there is a time and place, and they can't hold everyone else to ransome.
jinglymum · 24/08/2015 11:47
My 4 year old loves the skate park, I didn't realise that it was only designed for older children/teens. He zips down the ramps on his micro scooter.
Why shouldn't he enjoy a facility that is there to be used? On the other hand, I wouldn't say anything to anyone who asked him to move out of the way if he was sitting on a ramp, I would ask him to move also.
longtimelurker101 · 24/08/2015 12:12
I think the point jingly is that teens have very few other places to go, and while it is nice for toddlers to get to have a go, if its at the cost of those who the skate park is designed for, then its not really fair. The teens get shouted at if they were using the play park, they get shouted at if they are whipping round the paved bits, and now they get shouted at if they are using the skate park. Really unfair especially as toddlers and smaller children have other things to use.
3CheekyLittleMonkeys · 24/08/2015 12:13
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
bruffin · 24/08/2015 12:25
think the point jingly is that teens have very few other places to go, and while it is nice for toddlers to get to have a go, if its at the cost of those who the skate park is designed for, then its not really fair.
Our local skate park was built because the local teens campaigned for it, it wouldnt be there if it wasnt for the teenagers.
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