The idea
Friends of Stroud Skateparks (FoSS) Community Group - Free, Fun, Local, Social
Our Mission – To support and grow the skatepark community, foster a diverse user group, and create skate amenities that support a wide range of uses and skill levels.
Stratford Skatepark - Why now? #1 Safety – Serving more age groups and activities (less congestion - 60% more space), lack of investment will increase pressure on services and a likely increase in anti-social behaviour.
Our Story - FoSS have been working with the SDC Community Services Team through the second half of 2024 outlining our collective ambitions to see the Stratford Skatepark used to its full potential. Resurfacing the tarmac area around the existing skatepark footprint would realise a 60% increase in the useable space.
The Beginner Zone – we often use the analogy of the “shallow end” at the local lido – if you were to canvas Strouds skateparks you would find that there is very little for the beginner. We need this to change!
What we'll deliver
- ✔ Equitable consultation, equitable product
- ✔ Innovative consultation program that actively involves underrepresented community members to ‘inspire and educate’
- ✔ Support grassroots events – bringing the broader community together through jams, workshops and lessons
- ✔ Social outcomes contribute to a vibrant community - includes community-based local relationships and partnerships
- ✔ Existing skatepark audit - technical review of provision (including topographical / structural data)
- ✔ Compiled detailed project feasibility / implementation report (RIBA 1 preparation and brief)
Why it's a great idea
Imagine - Skatepark mums, dads and children confidently taking on a new challenge. Certified instructors hosting regular lessons, events and partnering with the local community.
Contemporary skateparks are often designed and built with limited consultation with intended user groups. At best, they often have in mind the needs of a few established skaters. We want to employ a different approach – one in which the end users have been consulted in a live, participatory and practice-based process.
We intend to consult with those who are new to wheeled sports, those whose voice is rarely heard in skatepark design, and those who already have considerable experience as skateboarders.
Our approach is devised around the principle of cultural engagement: being responsive to the local scene and not adopting an off the shelf approach to design.
Benefits include:
• Physical/Mental Health and Active Lifestyle
• Youth Engagement
• Community and Social Resiliency
• Low Barriers to Access
Steps to get it done
- Existing skatepark audit - technical review of provision (including topographical / structural data)
- Carry out basic quantitative research remotely to identify current participation rates and user-base
- Identify and compile stakeholders & produce initial consultation plan gantt + rationale
- Equality & inclusion gap analysis - ascertain who may be missing out and why
- Preparation material for consults - props, excercises, recording, interactive workshops
- School consultation sessions primary + secondary (as many as feasible in single day)
- Focused skate and ride group session - interactive workshop
- Pop up consultation day on site
- Compile and collate results from consultation and combine into basic report
- Compile detailed project feasibility / implementation report
