Final Proposal for a Skateboard Facility            

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The Wivenhoe Encyclopedia

February 2006 - Details of the Town Council's final plans for a skateboard facility on KGV.

For years now, Wivenhoe Town Council has been considering the desire by many of Wivenhoe's teenagers (and younger) to have some proper skateboarding ramps, rather than their makeshift ones in places like Cook's Shipyard. The Council has also been very conscious of concerns raised by residents whenever they feel it could be located close to their homes. 

Since mid-2004, this Council has been working hard to agree a scheme that balances the wishes of teenagers for some skateboarding equipment, the desire of the Town Council to provide more facilities for youngsters so that fewer of them will wander around aimlessly looking for something to do and that also recognises the legitimate fears and concerns of residents who will live near such a facility.

The Town Council has settled on a location for it on King George V Playing Field at a point furthest removed from the homes bordering the field.

It will comprise just two main ramps (each three foot high, plus a five-foot guard-rail on top), a middle ramp section plus two low rails. We have been helped in the design of it by consultants and by involving some youngsters so that it should appeal to skateboarders, in-line skaters and those who ride BMX bikes.

It will be a modest play facility, about half the size of other skate-parks Councillors have visited in the Colchester area. The Council want it to appeal especially to a younger age group and not those teenagers looking for a more adventurous facility.  

Councillors have spent much time and effort in considering all the possible implications of such a scheme, including all those raised during an extensive public consultation period that started in November 2004. The proposal has since gone through many changes and refinements in consequence.

The final proposal, which will go before the Town Council for approval at its meeting on Monday, 20th February is contained in a 35-page report, a pdf copy of which is available by clicking here (Note file size = 1.6mb).

Location on KGV:  

 

The skate facility will be close by the woods, on the far side of the field, well away from people's homes.

It will be a modest facility, designed to appeal more for younger children than for experienced skateboarders who will need something much more challenging.

Its location will not interfere with other uses for the playing field.    

The design comprises two main ramps plus a middle section with two low 'grind rails'.  

The overall height has been restricted to 8 feet in order to keep visual intrusion to a minimum, plus it will be sculpted into the gentle slope of the field.

The ramps will be filled with sound-deadening foam to minimise noise levels.  

 

Last updated:
13 July 2006

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