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Introduction to the project:

Why does Portishead need a new skatepark?

Portishead has seen a very significant population rise over the last few years and this is set to continue. Until now the majority of play areas installed have been aimed at under 10's. Although the Youth Centre has been given a substantial grant for improvements there has been no funding aimed at free outdoors play for older children. Young children and teenagers are being encouraged to be active and keep off street corners. Creating a space, open to everyone for free, that offers an opportunity to be creatively active will allow them to do just that.

A society that cuts itself off from its youth severs its lifeline."

Kofi Annan, UN General Secretary

How do you decide on a site for a skatepark?

Any site has to meet certain criteria before being considered. These include RoSPA CRITERIA: Fencing, Paths, Seating, Drinking Fountain/access to water, Telephone, First Aid, Toilets, Litter Bins, Signage, Bike Racks, and Access for users, maintenance and emergency vehicles The project has set itself three extra criteria:

• It must be a minimum 100m from nearest houses.

• It must be accessible all year and there be no entry charge.

• Built on council owned land so that we don't have to buy the land.

We will of course need to get planning permission and have noise assessments carried out before any site is deemed suitable. Please see our website for the latest location news.

Who would use it?

The skatepark will be used by in-line skaters, bmx cyclists, skateboarders, and scooter users of all ages. Part of the beauty of skateparks is the willingness of more experienced users to help beginners progress their skills. This means that those beginners eventually become the experts ensuring future generations of use.

How many would use it?

430 young people from local schools, boys and girls, and across a wide age range said that they will definitely use the skatepark. Many of these young people form the User Group who have gone from writing to their council asking for a skatepark on to be part of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable group raising money and helping to design the park.

The popularity of skateboarding has grown rapidly and there are now

around 13 million devotees worldwide, including 600,000 in Britain. ...

the UK lags behind France and Scandinavian countries,

where skateboarding forms part of the school curriculum.

Why a concrete park?

A concrete park is quieter than traditional ramp style parks. The possibilities of designing with concrete will allow the skatepark to be incorporated within the lie of the land, mostly sunken, and landscaped accordingly. It will also allow for a design to include all levels of users from beginners to experts and maintenance is considerably less than for ramp style parks.

What about vandalism?

We feel strongly that by carrying out thorough research we can learn from others who have installed successful skateparks. With this in mind we asked many councils the following three questions:

• Has vandalism to your nearby buildings/huts increased, stayed the same or decreased since the introduction of the skatepark?

• Has the introduction of the skatepark increased, had no effect, or decreased the amount of anti-social behaviour in the park, such as drinking, violence etc?

• Do you have CCTV on the skatepark? The overwhelming response was that vandalism and anti-social behaviour had not increased, and in some cases decreased.

Various councils also offered further advice and points to consider when embarking on the project to minimise vandalism and anti-social behaviour. To date we have found that by encouraging potential users to be part of the set up and management of the park encourages a sense of ownership and duty of care and none of the respondents regarded the CCTV as crucial to the success of their park. "There is no doubt that since a skatepark had been provided in Hele Village, vandalism had been greatly reduced" Ian Williams, Facilities and Operations Manager, Torbay Council. (Details of responses on our website).

Play, while it cannot change the external realities of children's lives,

can be a vehicle for children to explore and enjoy their differences and similarities

and to create, even for a brief time, a more just world

where everyone is an equal and valued participant. Patricia Ramsey

What about noise?

A concrete skatepark is less noisy than the ramp-style parks and a noise test is part of the assessment process for the site. Roger Youdan, Marshfield Parish Council, said "People's first reaction to a potential Skateboard Park is NOISE. If it is felt that some housing is vulnerable, ie old people's bungalows, a sound absorbing Bund (earth bank) between the Skateboard park and susceptible people is recommended. It can be planted and ours looks great. The acid test, standing at the bottom of old people's gardens was "Couldn't hear it" We wouldn't expect you to decide, without seeing for yourself, what creative, fun and healthy places skateparks can be so why not see for yourself. The nearest similar sunken concrete park is in Bulwark Road, Chepstow (shown below). A much larger park can be seen at Hengrove in Bristol.

"The Police are fully behind the young people's efforts to get a new skatepark

built in Portishead. Healthy activities such as this need to be encouraged.

Residents should be reassured that there is no evidence to suggest

that there would be any sort of increase in youth disorder or anti-social behaviour.

In fact, I would imagine that the skate park would decrease such incidents"

Sergeant Terry Scoble, June 2008

Hopefully somewhere along the line I can motivate somebody to be whatever they want to be in life. I feel like that my whole mission is just to psych people to believe in themselves." Rick Thorne, BMX rider.

How will it be funded?

The young people have already raised £6500 locally from bag-packing at the local supermarkets, sponsored events, stalls at the Victorian Fair and Carnival, a Grand Prize Draw and from donations from local companies, groups and churches but the main funding will come from approaching grant schemes such as The Big Lottery and Sport England.

If you can help with the project, please come along to the next Skatepark User Group (see Events) or get in touch. We need your help.