Upgrading Stratford Skatepark – Pt 1

Funded on
17 Oct 2025

Supporting Stroud’s skate community, one skatepark at a time. Our priority will be the resurfacing/upgrade of Stratford Park Skatepark. Part 1 will deliver the up-front feasibility required by SDC.

£6,057 Raised of £11,151

108 Backers

54%

Costs

Consultation and Feasibility - Stage 1 - Strategic Definition £6,480
Consultation and Feasibility - Stage 2 - Reporting (RIBA 1 Preparation and Brief) £3,468
Target: (inc. fees) £11,150

https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamgparsons/

Getting to Know Friends of Stroud Skateparks (FoSS)

In May 2024 SDC Community Services team began a series of consultations/surveys via a “Have Your Say” campaign focusing on the existing Stratford Park Skatepark and Toddler Play Area. This initial consultation led to the establishment of the Friends of Stratford Park Skatepark Community group which rebranded in Jan 2025 to the broader Friends of Stroud Skateparks based on best practise from surrounding areas (Bristol Skatepark Collective, Cardiff Skateboard Club etc.). FoSS currently has over 20 members who meet quarterly with SDC Community Services and other stakeholders promoting the “Free, Fun, Local, Social” ethos.

Getting to Know Liam Parsons (Volunteer Community Chair (VCC) – Friends of Stroud Skateparks (FoSS))

Personal - Canadian Abroad

I moved from Canada to the UK in Sept 2018 to live with my girlfriend. After working for a handful of years I was keen for a change. I travelled and enjoyed a break from the working world before settling in SE London then moving to Stroud in 2022. Moving to the UK most of my hobbies have stayed the same. I miss my time on the snow, usually snowboarding most weekends, but that’s been replaced with more time skateboarding and on the golf course. I also have a 3 year old daughter Phoebe and a 6 month old Luca! I’ve skateboarded my whole life and instructed at overnight Summer Camps back in Canada.

Professional – Project Manager at EDF (UK) – Nuclear Decommissioning

My career began in 2013 as a Mining Engineer with Shell at Albian Sands in Fort McMurray. In 2018, I moved to the UK and after starting to better understand Construction (Design and Management) Regulations I decided to work Contractor side on the Thames Tideway project as a Site Engineer in London. The opportunity to move to a Client organisation as a Project Manager within Transport for London (TfL) in 2020 came not long after. Late 2023 another UK move landed me in Gloucestershire and by chance another new chapter in my career getting my foot in the door within the nuclear industry. I'm excited to be part of this transformative sector at such a pivotal time and back to my roots in energy with another amazing fully integrated owner operator!

Project Owner: Activity First The Project Owner takes legal responsibility for receiving and spending the funds raised and ensuring the project is delivered.