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The majority of people (with the exception of those from London and possibly a few other areas where parkour seems to be well known) don't understand what parkour is, or haven't heard of it at all, and thus, don't see it as something positive at all. At a glance what we do seems antisocial and derogatory. Most of those that have heard about parkour have got their information from the media, which we all know doesn't show parkour as anything more than another adrenaline filled extreme sport in most cases.

So yeah, the general public don't have a positive view on parkour. If these parks got built what's stopping the council (pushed by the general public) taking action to ban parkour in the streets and restrict it to these 'designated areas'?

People never really have an excuse to move us on (as we aren't doing anything wrong), they sometimes come up with the old "Health and safety" or a security guard might be acting on his superiors words. However with these parks, I can see many more moving us on and telling us to "go and do it where you're meant to". People will get far more vigilant about us training somewhere other than these parks and I know that I, for one, like training 'on the streets', I like the variations of obstacles that you can not possibly provide in a purpose built area. I would hate to be so restricted!

I honestly believe the public needs much more education on parkour before these parks become anything more than a problem solving solution, much like skate parks are. How are you proposing to label these parks… What information will be given about them?

What about copy-cat behaviour. It is already a problem getting a little out of control, will this not fuel it? What's stopping little fearless kids throwing themselves around in these parks trying to copy what they have seen, and inevitably hurting themselves? These parks might pass safety regulations but parkour is by no means safe if practised improperly! How can you possibly ensure proper practition!?

Will there be any emphasis on strength training and conditioning in these parks? After all, isn't that what the majority of training towards parkour should be?

I do understand that there can be good… Great! benefits from these parks, but you have all these guys to tell you these things. I think certain precautions need to be taken to ensure these parks are a positive thing for the community. Education of the public, the councils authorising the parks are obviously aware of the positive side of parkour but most of the public are not. An established, experienced parkour scene to help all the new guys (that these parks will attract) understand what should and shouldn't be done. Finally a range of equipment allowing for strength training and not just equipment for jumps, vaults and flips.

Of course these are just (some of) my (negative) opinions on the matter, but ones I feel strongly about and hope you take into considderation!

Peace