The guys over in Leamington are in the process of setting up a charity in order to provide the town with a decent skatepark (If you’ve been to Newbold Comyn Skatepark, you’ll know that Leamington’s skateboarding facilities are far below average). They’re aiming to get a small park built by Wheelscape, which will replace the Victoria Park mini ramp that was removed quite a while ago, as well as add some street obstacles to provide an alternative place to skate some ledges (those of you who remember the old mini, will also remember the old “ledge-tastic” paddling pool that was used as a small plaza when it was drained).
I cannot stress how important it is that you like the page linked above on Facebook. Whilst Cov has always been provided with bare minimum concrete skateparks, Warwickshire have had to make do with awful ramps made from metal and wood (obviously not the best material for a skatepark in the UK) for years, and it was only recently that Stratford replaced the rotten wooden ramps with some concrete, and Kenilworth got the L block installed, although these results leave a lot to be desired. Even though there are a few “bodge-job” concrete installations being put in around Warwickshire, the local skaters have been pushing for something a bit better (Kenilworth have almost gained £25,000 for their project, whilst will be a start towards a larger extension of the park). Leamington have had it pretty bad overall, with the one half decent place to skate being taken away due to the ramp rotting underneath, and then being told a replacement would not be provided. I’ve always heard rumours that Leamington’s policy on street skating has been overly harsh (fines for skating any spots on or around the parade?), and with no proper alternative place to skate, any punishment for street skating at all is unacceptable.
The charity has been set up by Alex Walker, who some of you may recognise as being a long-time Leamington skater. He’s ideally placed to head the project and has big ideas – it’s time everyone in the Cov and Warwickshire area banded together to push forward all of these new park projects… Because, seriously, we need ‘em.
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