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Aussie skate park put on state heritage register

Xinhua, February 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australia's oldest community built skate park has been put on a state's heritage register to become the third skate park in the world to be given such a listing.

Albany's world renowned Snake Run in Western Australia State - 416 km southeast of Perth and believed to be the second oldest community built skate park in the world - tracks 140 meters down a slope with unique walls designed to replicate ocean waves, allowing skaters to emulate the art of surfing.

"The Snake Run is kind of old school. At the time skate boarding was surfing's little brother," world renowned skate boarder Russ Howell, who attended park's 40th anniversary celebrations, told Australia's national broadcaster on Friday.

"Every skate show I've been to since I've been here knows about Albany," he said.

The park was built in 1976 after a group of Albany High School kids managed to fundraise 3,000 Australian dollars for the park, which spurred the local government to donate an additional 10,000 Australian dollars and the land.

"This place was just sitting here and it was the best thing to happen to Albany as far as the kids go," Graham Macaulay, whose father Jim Macaulay played a key role in establishing the park, said.

The Western Australia state heritage status makes Albany's Snake Run the third skate park to be given a heritage listing in the world. Endit