Upgrading Stratford Skatepark – Pt 1

The environment

Our project helped the environment by making the most of what’s already there, rather than building something new. Instead of replacing Stratford Skatepark or expanding into new land, we focused on extending the life of an existing public space. Improving and resurfacing worn‑out areas reduces waste, avoids demolition, and keeps the project’s overall environmental footprint low. We’ve also pushed for durable, low‑maintenance surfaces, which means fewer short‑term fixes, less material use over time, and fewer vehicle trips for repairs. Doing it properly now is better for the planet in the long run. Skateparks also support low‑carbon, active lifestyles. Skateboarding, scootering and BMX are zero‑fuel activities, and Stratford Park’s central location means most users arrive on foot, by bike or by board. Making the space safer and more usable encourages people to stay local rather than travelling by car to other towns. Finally, our volunteer clean‑ups helped tackle litter and encouraged a stronger sense of care and ownership. When people feel proud of a place, they look after it – which is one of the simplest and most effective forms of environmental sustainability. In short, the project supports the environment by reusing existing infrastructure, reducing waste, encouraging active travel, and building long‑term stewardship of a shared local space.

The local economy

Our project helped the local economy by keeping people, activity and spending local. A better, more welcoming skatepark encourages people to stay in Stratford rather than travelling elsewhere. That increased footfall benefits nearby cafés, park facilities and local businesses, especially as parents, friends and spectators spend time around the park. We’ve also focused on community‑led delivery, creating opportunities for local organisers, instructors and volunteers. As the park improves, it opens the door to coaching sessions, jams and small events, helping local people turn skills and passion into paid or semi‑paid work. Because the skatepark is free to use, it supports families and young people without adding financial pressure, while still delivering long‑term value through health, confidence and social connection. Improving an existing asset rather than rebuilding also represents good value for money, helping reduce future maintenance costs and pressure on local services. In short, the project supports the local economy by boosting footfall, creating local opportunities, keeping activity affordable, and investing in a shared space people want to use and care about.

Volunteering, jobs & education

Our project increased volunteering, learning and future job opportunities by being community‑led and easy to get involved in. Volunteering grew naturally through Friends of Stroud Skateparks. Local people of all ages helped with clean‑ups, repainting days, consultations and ongoing planning, giving them practical experience and a real sense of ownership over a shared space. These activities helped people build confidence, skills and connections while improving the park together. We also worked with local schools and SGS College, using skatepark design and safety as a way to support hands‑on learning. Young people were able to contribute ideas, understand how public spaces are designed, and see how creativity, engineering and wellbeing connect in real life. Looking ahead, the project opens pathways into coaching, events and youth‑led activity, allowing experienced riders and volunteers to move into paid or semi‑paid roles as the skatepark develops. All of this happens in a free, accessible setting, lowering barriers to participation and making it easier for people to get involved, learn new skills and take their first steps toward work. In short, the project supported volunteering, education and future jobs by empowering local people, creating practical learning opportunities, and turning passion into pathways.

Arts, culture & heritage

Our project supported arts, culture and heritage by protecting and celebrating skateboarding as a local cultural asset, not just a sports facility. Skateparks are living cultural spaces. They’re places where music, fashion, language, creativity and self‑expression all mix together, especially for young people. By working to improve Stratford Skatepark rather than letting it decline, we’re helping to keep an important part of Stroud’s contemporary youth culture visible and valued. The project has actively amplified local voices and creativity. Through school workshops, college sessions and open consultations, young people were encouraged to sketch ideas, talk about colour, flow and layout, and imagine how the space should feel as well as function. That process treated users not as passive recipients, but as co‑creators shaping their own environment. Volunteer days also played a role in this. Repainting and refreshing the space wasn’t just maintenance it was a form of community‑led place‑making, changing how the park looks, feels and is perceived. These small visual improvements helped shift the skatepark from “run down” to “cared for”, reinforcing pride and identity. There’s also an element of local heritage here. Stratford Skatepark has served multiple generations since 2008, and many older skaters involved in the project learned to skate there themselves. Improving the space helps carry that shared history forward, while adapting it to meet the needs of new users. In short, the project supports arts, culture and heritage by recognising skateboarding as culture, encouraging creative participation, and preserving a locally meaningful space as part of Stroud’s evolving social fabric.

Activity, health and leisure

Our project promoted activity, health and leisure by making it easier, safer and more enjoyable for people to get moving together. Skateboarding, scootering and BMX are naturally active pursuits, but poor surfaces and overcrowded layouts had become real barriers especially for beginners and younger users. By focusing on smoother surfaces, clearer space and beginner‑friendly design, the project removes those barriers and encourages people to take part more often and for longer. A key theme across all our work has been inclusivity and confidence. Creating a “shallow end of the lido” means people can try something new without fear of collision, intimidation or injury. That first positive experience is crucial for building long‑term, self‑driven physical activity particularly for young people who don’t connect with traditional team sports. The skatepark also supports mental wellbeing. It’s a social space where people spend time outdoors, build friendships, and feel a sense of belonging. Consultations repeatedly highlighted that the park is as much about hanging out and being together as it is about riding. By revitalising the space, we’ve strengthened its role as a positive, informal leisure hub. Importantly, the project keeps activity free and local. There are no memberships, no fees and no pressure to perform just open access to movement at your own pace. That makes it especially valuable for families and young people who may face financial or social barriers to other forms of leisure. In short, the project promotes activity, health and leisure by reducing risk, increasing confidence, encouraging regular movement, and protecting a free, social space that supports both physical and mental wellbeing.