Motorists travelling State Highway 2 past Melling Station might be forgiven for not noticing the skate park nestled just off the highway north of the station. High wooden fences hide from the highway the high-energy action when teenagers (mostly) fling their skateboards and bikes around the park.

The fence provides an element of safety from the high-speed traffic, and keeps road noise to a minimum within the park.

Melling Skate Park is on Pharazyn Street, Lower Hutt, located well away from residential neighbourhoods.

The Hutt City Council-owned facility consists mainly of concrete ramps and jumps specially designed to provide safe challenges for its users. It is totally enclosed by the wooden fence on the highway perimeter and high wire netting on the Pharazyn Street side, where friends can watch from their car or simply observe through the wire. For those not participating, an embankment at the south end is a pleasant spot from which to watch, and there are seats and steps to sit on.

There’s plenty of parking safely off the road. Although the park is open 24 hours, lighting at night comes only from the nearby street lights.

Take a look at ‘Place Finder’ Hutt City.