Vision Plans to transform skate park into a ‘world-class’ facility
PLANS to redesign St George Park skate park have been revealed after a number of ramps at the site were fenced off because of safety concerns.
The Bristol City Council parks team has said it will be working with the community group Friends of St George Park and the recently established ‘community collective’ Elevate Bristol on the major refurbishment project.
St George West councillor and deputy mayor Asher Craig said on her Facebook page that a public meeting will be held in November to discuss the future of the skate park.
She said: “Ensuring our skate parks can be used safely is a priority and, following a number of incidents and an extensive inspection at St George Park, three large ramps on the Lyndale Road side will be closed due to their deteriorating condition.
“We are currently exploring options to repair sections of the skate park as well as an entire upgrade of the facility and will be working closely with the local community and skating groups as regards any planned work and future proposals, for which we welcome your views.
“While we continue to monitor the condition and use of other areas of the park we would request that any visitors do not attempt to access any fenced off areas.
“We (BCC Parks team, Elevate Bristol & Friends of St George Park) are planning a public engagement meeting in November with local residents and stakeholders.”
The Elevate Bristol website lays out the details of the group’s plans to renovate the skatepark.
It includes a “world class wheel park” that will host international competitions and be a “community hub allowing people of all ages and abilities to be active”.
There are also plans for a viewing area, climbing walls, street art walls and a stage area, as well as a tutoring and mentoring programme and street and bowl areas that will meet competition standards.
Elevate Bristol has said it would like the new skate park to be completed by 2024, but the group is still looking for volunteers to help with fundraising and marketing.
Several supporters from the skating community have given the plans their backing, including world record holder and professional skater Danny Wainwright, and 2019
WCMX (wheelchair BMX) women’s champion Lucy Rice.
James Hacker of Elevate Bristol said: “Elevate Bristol is a community collective building a worldclass wheelpark for Bristol – a thriving hub where people of all ages will meet, socialise, get active and learn skills. Our vision is to build a wheelpark that can host international competitions and where Olympic stars of the future can train.”
A City Council spokesperson said: “Three large ramps on the Lyndale Road side of the park have been closed following an extensive inspection of the condition of the skate park.
“This has been done to protect public safety following several incidents and reports of this area of the park being in a poor condition.
“We are currently looking at ways to repair sections of the skate park as well as carrying out an upgrade of the whole skating area.
“We are working closely with the local community and skating groups about this and welcome their views.”