A NEW skate ramp has been installed at Rosebud Skatepark after over five years of community-led advocacy and development.
The project was led by Lenny Richardson, a local skater who has spent more than 10 years organising events and supporting grassroots initiatives through Janice Earth, his not-for-profit skate initiative.
The ramp was installed a couple of weeks before Easter, and Richardson said it addresses a long-standing gap in the park’s infrastructure.
“Now the park…it’s what I’d call a full park,” Richardson said. “Now skaters will come to the park and skate the route, because there’s a ramp there, whereas those skaters would be going elsewhere, like Balnarring or Mornington. We’ve doubled attraction and the facilities.”
The addition compliments the park’s existing rails and ledges, and introduces transition style skating, which is expected to draw in wider range of users from around the peninsula.
The opening was marked with a skate competition on Easter Saturday, which saw competitors come from across Victoria.
Richardson said it was a day of joy and community support.
“Honestly, personally, it was the happiest day I’ve had in 10 years,” he said. “Just thankfulness and gratitude – I had all the parents come out and thanking me and giving me hugs.”
The competition was organised by Janice Earth, with support from Bendigo Community Bank Southern Peninsula. Over 120 people attended the event, supporting the 15 competitors.
Included in the competitors were two young girls competing on quad skates, which highlighted the sports growing inclusivity.
“It was really cool, it opened my eyes to that,” Richardson said. “I think it will be included in all our skate events from now on.”
As well as discussing the physical upgrade, Richardson said skating plays an important role in community wellbeing.
“It’s positive, it’s healthy, there’s an element of aggression that you can release in skating, but it’s passive because it’s against yourself trying to do tricks,” he said. “It’s just a great outlet.”
Janice Earth was originally a skate shop and has now become a community initiative. It was named after Richardson’s mother, Janice Maria Richardson, who was a local teacher. He said her influence continues to shape his projects.
“Her quote was ‘keep living and loving’,” Richardson said. “And I’ve changed it for Janice Earth to be ‘keep skating and loving’.”
He described the new ramp as both a community asset and a personal tribute.
“It’s like a memorial as well,” Richardson said. “It’s just a great structure that’s going to bring joy to people for years.”
Future events are already being planned for the new ramp, including a competition which will take place on Saturday 9 May.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 29 April 2026
