Small Wheels Keep On Turning

Jake Mitchell 13JULY20

hen we caught up with 14-year-old Jake Mitchell this afternoon, his response to being congratulated over getting wheels turning for a Kilcoole Skate Park was telling…

“Well, a lot of it is down to the those who have helped – Tom Fortune, Simon Harris, Stephen Flynn from The Happy Pear and, most importantly, Alan Cox, my Principal over at Temple Carrig School…”

That the stunt scooter-loving Kilcoole teen came up with the idea, and – with a little kick up the inspiration from his parents, Ciaran and Sarah – has been the driving force behind getting a skate park in his native town doesn’t seem to enter Jake’s head. 

Still, you can see why local makers and shakers have been quick to help – having just such a park in the town makes perfect sense. And it would mean that teenagers like Jake won’t have to travel to Gorey, or Wicklow Town, or Rathnew, to get their stunt scooter and skateboard kicks. The nearby Charlesland Skate Park doesn’t allow scooters.

“The great thing, the space is right here, in the local Little Tern playground,” smiles Jake. “So, it wouldn’t take much to get the park up and running. It’s almost as though this space was left for just such an addition to the town.

“Besides, my little brother, Harry, wants it here too, so he can join in...”

Currently putting the finishing touches to a video presentation for Wicklow County Council – young Simon recording his nod of approval today – we caught up with Jake over at Little Tern to talk about mixing pogo with politics…

You can find out more about – and get involved with – the Kilcoole Skate Park by emailing [email protected]. Sponsors are, of course, very welcome…