New skatepark in Merton just a kickflip away

Skaters of all ages can now grab their boards, bikes or scooters and head down to the new Merton Community Skate Park to show off their latest tricks and follow in the footsteps of a local sporting hero.

Skateboarding has proven to be influential in Merton and the surrounding area, following the success of professional skateboarder and northeast local Hayley Wilson, who competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Olympian even donated her old skateboarding equipment to the town when she turned pro in 2022.

Merton Recreation & Memorial Hall Reserve Committee member Margaret Fitzgerald said Hayley’s donation has inspired more skaters to stay outdoors and use skating to connect and have fun.

‘(Hayley’s) had a huge influence of people skating in Mansfield Shire due to her being an Olympian from regional Victoria,’ Margaret said.

‘Hayley and her family have been very supportive of the whole idea of a skate park in Merton and the donation of her skating equipment has really helped support skateboarding as a fun and active way to enjoy the outdoors here.’

But up until recently, locals needed to travel more than 35 kilometres to Mansfield to use the equipment at the closest skate park.

To allow locals to skate closer to home and promote more local connection, the reserve committee spearheaded the creation of the new skatepark in Merton.

Supported by a $50,000 investment from the Tiny Towns Fund, the skate park is providing a new way for locals and visitors in Merton to gather and enjoy themselves.

‘It started as a community dream and it’s amazing that dreams sometimes come through with a bit of effort,’ Margaret said.

Designed by BASEPLATE and constructed by local contractor Tectonic Civil, the project features everything skaters would expect –ramps, rails, a half pipe, quarter pipe and more.

The new community asset is also attracting visitors from surrounding towns like Bonnie Doon and Strathbogie.

‘The skatepark gives people a venue to gather no matter what the age and they're doing something they enjoy,' Margaret said.

‘It’s really the community building and strengthening qualities that underline why we want to build something like this.’

Merton’s new skate park just one of the many ways we’re supporting our tiniest towns as better places to live, work, stay and play.

For more information, visit the Tiny Towns Fund.