Flips and tricks from local kids, pro skaters and an all-female roller derby team graced the stage of Kings Heath’s new skate park on Friday 29th March.
The brand new Skate Park at Kings Heath Park was officially opened by local families and Councillor Gareth Eales, County Councillor for Dallington Spencer Ward. Surrounded by excited families, Cllr Eales acknowledged both Sport England and Mick George who joint funded the skate park in Kings Heath:
“The people in Kings Heath said they wanted more things for older children to do. I’d like to say my sincere thanks to Sport England, Mick George, NBC and NPH for delivering this. The kids were so eager today to use the skate park, they beat me to it!”.
The project was organised by NPH and Northampton Borough Council’s Community Safety Team. The design of the skate park was chosen by young people in the area who attended the Kings Heath Fun Day in July 2018. The skate park was joint-funded by Sport England and the Mick George Community Fund for a total of £75,000.
Helen Town, Assistant Director for Asset Management and Development at NPH said:
“We are continuing to invest in the community at Kings Heath including homes and neighbourhoods. It’s a priority for us to address communal facilities in the area and offer more activities for young people to do locally. We’re currently regenerating the shop fronts on Park Square and working with Northampton Borough Council and local youth organisations like Free 2 Talk CIC, we want to continue to provide more opportunities for young people here”.
Councillor Anne King who is Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Safety at Northampton Borough Council said:
“Our residents’ views are really important to us so we’re really excited to be opening a new facility in Kings Heath which will not only help keep young people engaged and active, but also meets the community need.”
Skate Boarding became a craze in the UK in 1977 as it reached a mass audience for the very first time. It is ever popular with young people and synonymous with youth culture. It was recently recognised as an Olympic Sport and will feature for the first time in Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics.
Built by Canvass Spaces, the Kings Heath Skate Park is a multi-use facility suitable for skate boards, bikes and small scooters - open to all budding skaters looking to practice their tricks and kick flips in Northampton!