It all started with a Facebook post earlier this month questioned whether it was appropriate for children to learn to ride their scooters and skateboards at the skate park alongside experienced board riders.

But one parent has jumped to the defence of regular skate park users, saying it is parents who are often negligent.

Ash Evans has two children, Rhys (9) and Evie (7), who both learnt to skate at the Port Macquarie skate park since Rhys was just four years old.

"They both started on scooters and both are on skate boards now. We go down four times a week,” she said.

“For me it comes down to supervision. You'd never drop your kids off at the pool and let them jump in the deep end on their own.

“My kids started there and would get in everyone's way and cause accidents, so I'm all for it being inclusive but parents need to be aware and supervise their kids. That doesn’t happen a lot.”

There are areas in the skate park where visibility is at a minimum, so parents who leave their children while sitting on the grass relaxing are adding to the problem.

“Many times I've had to scoop a child up and go and look for their parents, so I think that's the main issue,” she said.

“From my experience I've seen skaters, particularly the older ones, help the younger kids, look out for them and make sure they don't get hurt. It's a very inclusive environment."

“I don't think there is any problem down there, it just comes down to parents being parents. Very rarely you'll see an altercation between a parent and a skater (but when there is) it's a case of the parent knowing they were in the wrong and weren't supervising their child, so they get defensive.”

Scott Keller has been skating for 25 years, lobbied for the new park to be built and helped secure funding for the project more than a decade ago.

He said he “gets frustrated” looking at Facebook.

“I know that parents are looking out for their kids, but they have to understand it really is a dangerous place for little kids. It wasn't designed for them,” he said.

“People are carrying on as if we want to ban scooters and little kids, but that's not the case at all.

“The message is that it is wrong for parents to drop their kids off as if it's a playground and not taking responsibility for their actions.

“So many of us older skaters have gotten injured from trying to avoid the younger kids who get in the way. 

“Most people understand you wait your turn, that's the skate park etiquette, and that has to be taught to these younger kids. The only way that will happen is if the parents are there watching and helping them.”

Mr Keller said he has had run ins with parents who aren’t aware of their children’s uneducated actions.

“A three year old was riding around on a plastic tricycle, and all we were trying to do is make them aware of how dangerous it is,” he said. 

“I don't understand why parents are getting so upset. All we want is for parents to be there with their kids to teach them and to watch them.