During the October half term, over ten very wet and flooded days, a band of merry volunteers pitched up to Ryde Skatepark to help build a range of concrete obstacles.
The skatepark has been empty since the wooden ramps, which had come to the end of their lives, were removed earlier this year. Skatepark users, with the assistance of Island skate company Wight Trash, and their not-for-profit skate club, went on to raise £5,000 and worked with the Ryde Town Council to form the idea of a meanwhile temporary solution, to make the space “a bit more interesting and a lot more fun”.
Thompson: Really important that skate spaces don’t stand empty
Manager of Wight Trash, Zoe Thompson, explained,
“It is really important that skate spaces don’t stand empty, so we worked with skatepark users and the town council to consider options.
“We suggested a DIY model which consists of creating hand built concrete obstacles. This would allow the space to continue to be interesting and enjoyable for users, whilst future plans are considered.”
The aim was to make the best use of the current site, so this community project created by Ryde Skatepark Users, John Cattle’s Skate Club , Wight Trash and Ryde Town Council took shape.
With match funding from the Town Council, a mainland team were selected and worked alongside locals to build up the skate space.
Cattle: We knew we were in good hands
Wight Trash and Skate Club founder, John Cattle, said,
“The mainland team all had really great experience in helping to build DIY parks across the country and abroad so we knew we were in good hands and stoked that they were able to make time to come over and help.
“Several local companies also helped us out, with special thanks to Primedrive, Sydenhams, Jewson’s and Wight Building Materials.”
Barry: I’ve learnt so much and made great friends along the way
Over the ten days, ten local skaters also got involved during the project, from ages 14 to 50+yrs, to help build the structures in often very challenging conditions (as you can see from the photos below).
Local skater, Rob Barry, said,
“Volunteering to help build the new obstacles in Ryde skatepark has been a dream come true.
“Despite the biblical weather, long days (and sometimes nights) and the physical intensity of the work; everyday was fun, I’ve learnt so much about the trade and made great friends along the way.”
Thompson: A real sense of community from everyone on site
Zoe continued,
“There has been so many benefits to this project, there was a real sense of community from everyone on site who always seemed to be smiling, but also people stopping to ask questions, bringing down drinks and food, and people from all over the UK commenting positively across our social media.
“It has fulfilled the purpose we set out to achieve and really boosted the energy around the park space.”
May: Nothing short of phenomenal
Ryde’s Mayor, Richard May stated,
“The works that have been completed at Ryde skatepark are nothing short of phenomenal given the horrendous weather that they’ve been completed in.
“It speaks volumes that the so many volunteers from the skating community have come together to make this happen so quickly.
“A huge thank you to everyone involved, especially the volunteers and to Wight Trash for making this happen – it demonstrates what can be achieved through commitment and collaboration.”
Ryde Town Council are continuing to work with Wight Trash on developing longer term plans for the skatepark site.
In the meantime, the park is open daily until dark each evening, with free skate lessons being scheduled by John Cattle’s Skate Club in the future.
