Making a Skate Spot Happen

Facilities for young people in the Cumberland Basin

What do we mean by a skate spot?

An area of the Piazza where people can skate board and do other street sports. Here are some examples of how these facilities fit under flyovers and integrate into park spaces.

Why do local young people need space and facilities?

There has been no funding for any services for young people in Hotwells and Cliftonwood since 2008 Charles Place Playpark and the Lion Park are really successful for younger kids, but there are no hang out spaces for over 9s! Not all parents in our area are able to transport their kids to facilities or able to pay for activities Even if families can afford structured activities, young people reach an age where independent, peer led activity becomes important We have a growing number of young people locally- 2013 in-take for Hotwells Primary was restricted to 250m distance from the school

Why a create a skate spot in Hotwells?

A skate spot can be started on a small budget with a DIY approach and can grow with use and engagement- the M23 has had a total of 1k spent, yet you can see images of it on an Australian website! Getting a skate spot to happen needs engagement from potential users, so it makes an ideal project to get young people involved. They can learn a range of skills from design to filmmaking Smooth and level surfaces created for skate spots can be used for other wheel and ball sports and any ledges, etc are also great for Parkour. An undercover facility close to the centre of the city would be a real attraction to skaters city wide or even globally This would give local young people a great sense of ownership and having something to share with others

Where at the Cumberland Piazza?

This area is not used as a through space by cyclists or pedestrians and is relatively level.

How would we do it?

The key to getting this right is to have a smooth and level surface to start with Seek council permission for a modest area of tarmac in this space Begin a campaign with young people that engages them- support them to produce video, images and copy for social media Tarmac area Ask parents to come and help create temporary jumps Have an event with demoes from skaters, Parkour people, BMX and scooters to gain wider support for the project. We have applied for funding for an event on 22nd of June when the Portway is closed for the Bristol Big Bike Ride. See if we can get further funding to expand skate and other facilities for young people in the space Continue engaging with Skaters

Cost
Tarmac approx 10m X 7m: 4000 Project coordination/admin: 500 Design Support 500 Festival 2000 Total 7000 We have applied for 2k from BCC Community Festival Event Fund to do an event and create ledges and ramps.

Future Skate Facilities

We would like to support skaters to create another skate space near the Pump Track and Festival Way path

We would like to link communities of young people across the city around sports and creative activities.

Contacts and further information

Whos involved so far: HCCA Trustee/Project Co-ordinator-Anna Wilson Local parents: Rachel Drummond-Hay, Dan Roddy, Dave Heggarty Local Architect: Charly Potter Skaters: Fifty Fifty Skate Shop, James Guthrie, Ciaran OConnor, Demien Attwell Other organisations/individuals supporting this project: Puppet Place Playing Out We also have informal support from people in Bristol City Council at quite high levels We would love more local people, particularly kids, parents and skaters to help out. To get involved, please contact: admin@hotwellscliftonwood.org.uk subject line skate park