Youth Research Qualitative Report - District Council of Mount Barker

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Male Yeah but that's already happened, we’ve already got one of them. It’s old now, people want to see something new. (Young man & woman, 16-18 yrs) Interestingly, a number of young people, including older teenagers, said that they still enjoyed ‘playing’ and wanted a play ground that was designed for them. The playgrounds in the Mt Barker Council District cater to young children and because of their size it is not appropriate for teenagers and young adults to use the equipment. But these young people were clear about their continued desire to engage in physical play. Many talked about the value of an ‘adventure playground’ like the one at St Kilda. I think a lot of students would go straight down to the mall straight after school – and I can understand wanting to go down to the mall, get food and all that kind of stuff. But instead of doing that, they could hang out at an adventure park. You know what I mean Have a place to hang out and have a good time. (Young man, 17 yrs) The majority of participants used the Mountain Pool in the summer months, but there was a general consensus that the pool was too small for the regions’ growing population. There were also issues associated with young people sharing the pool with other users. Their size and their physicality make their water play threatening to younger children and adults and they are often sanctioned. Many suggested that the pool be expanded to include other areas for young people to play, or perhaps to broaden the recreational options on the site (with water slides, games, etc). They need to update the pools and that because the pool is too tiny. They need to get like a Woodside pool or something. Be good if it was a ‘Beach House’ (recreational park at Glenelg) or something. Because on a Saturday or Sunday and you’re just bored, there’s nothing to do and you don’t want to drive all the way into town. We need something local. (Young man, 15yrs) What young people value in the Mt Barker area Mountain Pool (though too small for growing population) – something to do in summer The skate park – a place to hang out; a place to skate or ride; a place to do graffiti Outdoor gym circuit developed in one of the newer housing areas What Young people said they want and need Incorporate informal activity and fun in the Recreation Centre complex Bowling alley – every focus group suggested a bowling alley when asked what recreation they wanted in the area Skate park shelter with seating – somewhere to get out of the sun and rain and to hang out. 27 Needs assessment of young people in the Mt Barker Council District – November 2009
Skate park seating for spectators Expand Mountain Pool complex – it has not grown with the district’s population Develop a teen area in Mountain Pool so their pool activity doesn’t affect smaller children/ adults and result in young people being excluded from the amenity. Go-cart track – to experience speed; to take driving risks in a safe sanctioned environment (this was suggested by a number of young people including a young man with multiple driving related convictions). Graffiti wall and/or indoor graffiti space to learn graffiti art and hang out– where graffiti is encouraged and facilitated Games arcade Underage disco for older teenagers Aquatic centre/ hills beach Parkour (outdoor obstacle activity) Something like ‘next generation’ in Adelaide, which incorporated activities, food etc. A good gym More outdoor gym circuits Skirmish, minigolf, bowling, go-carts etc 4.8 Casual activity and entertainment When young people have nothing to do in their community they are more likely to disengage from the community. They may withdraw to their homes, which are likely to have more forms of passive entertainment than ever before; if they have access to transport they may choose to seek activity or entertainment in other communities; they may appropriate community spaces to hang out; and if they feel alienated from their community they may entertain themselves in ways that are not sanctioned by the wider community (graffiti, vandalism, dangerous driving, drinking and drug taking in public places)(Williams et al, 2009a). Participants in all focus groups complained of having ‘nothing to do’. They described Mt Barker and the surrounding district as ‘boring’. This was particularly the case for older teenagers and young adults who had grown out of local playgrounds and did not engage in formal sport. The only year round entertainment venue for young people is Wallis cinema but as one young person sarcastically said, “There are just so many movies you can see during the holidays” (young woman, 16yrs) The two amenities that potentially cater to the activity or entertainment needs of young people in the area include the Wallis Cinema and the library. As with the Mountain Pool and the Recreation 28 Needs assessment of young people in the Mt Barker Council District – November 2009
Page 2 and 3: Project Report Young People Living
Page 4 and 5: Contents About the Author .........
Page 6 and 7: access to friends, sport, recreatio
Page 8 and 9: Encourage more retail that appeals
Page 10 and 11: 3. Desk top study of current servic
Page 12 and 13: 3.6 Limitations This study recruite
Page 14 and 15: I used to have drug problems and th
Page 16 and 17: young people living in the region d
Page 18 and 19: The majority of work available to y
Page 20 and 21: off my face and not realise. I slep
Page 22 and 23: a shortage of human resources requi
Page 24 and 25: comfortable or welcoming homes to w
Page 26 and 27: catch the 9:28 bus and sit there fo
Page 30 and 31: Centre, these amenities are not rea
Page 32 and 33: More entertainment as part of the c
Page 34 and 35: The Big lounge is cool. They play r
Page 36 and 37: was still a strong desire among the
Page 38 and 39: These were also the sentiments of y
Page 40 and 41: Other reasons for not choosing to l
Page 42 and 43: I am aware that there are 13-14 yea
Page 44 and 45: 6. Project conclusions and interim
Page 46 and 47: Avoid housing young people outside
Page 48 and 49: Facilitate the integration of activ

Youth Research Qualitative Report - District Council of Mount Barker

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