A CLYDEBANK man has started a petition calling for a new skate park to be built in the town.

Daniel Gillespie, 23, began the campaign after realising there were no local facilities in Clydebank for skateboarding, and wants to prove there is a need for a “free-to-use, safe, inclusive and family orientated sports facility for users of all ages”.

So far the petition, on Change.org, has attracted more than 100 signatures.

Daniel told the Post: “Growing up in Clydebank, the only time I would spend time at a skate park would be in Kelvingrove Park on family outings.

“Having started skateboarding two years ago, I’ve realised the social and physical benefits of it. There’s no local facilities in Clydebank for skateboarding, scootering, inline skating, or quad skating.

“The only place to skate is the car park at the shopping centre, but my friends and I are told off for skating there and being seen as anti-social.

“With the advent of skateboarding and it now being in the Olympics, I would love a place where I can practice and hone my skills without travelling a large distance to do so.”

Daniel said skate parks are beneficial to mental health, describing it as a “creative, therapeutic experience”.

Currently, nearby skate parks include Drumchapel and Knightswood.

Daniel added: “I was a semi-professional E-sports player for three years before I started skating.

“I had tried skateboarding when I was younger, but never took a major interest to it. A shoulder injury ended my E-sports career early and I looked for something to fill my free time.

“My older brother had started skateboarding and kept telling me to give it a try, so one day after work I bought a skateboard to surprise him and fell in love with it and the community around it.

“Everyone was so helpful with teaching me how to skate and it turned out to be so different to what I thought skateboarding was.

“It’s a creative, therapeutic experience where you get to push the limits of what you think you are capable of.

“I plan to print out leaflets and spread awareness locally within the coming weeks. I’m also looking to contact designers to get a mock design up for the park.”