When the Friends of Heaven Skatepark recently told members of City Council that they wanted assurance that the Downtown North development, including the stadium, would not infringe on the existing park, they received no promises. When the artistic rendering eliminating the skatepark was called into question by the group, someone from the City implied the group was fussing for no reason, that this was merely an artistic rendering and that elected and appointed officials are not looking for ways to sanitize this space in hopes of sparking development.

While local government sends mixed messages about its support of the skatepark in New Ross, County Wexford Park, its users — artists, traceurs, skaters, cyclists — have not wavered in their commitment. This week, in the wind and constant rain, people continued to spend time on the ramps.