Latest news with #skatepark
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gun range could become skatepark or energy centre
A former rifle range and undercroft by Blackfriars Bridge could find a new use as a skatepark or energy centre. The site has been occupied since 2017 by Bazalgette Tunnel Ltd for the construction of the Thames Tideway tunnel. It will now return to either the City of London Corporation or Transport for London once it is determined which of the two bodies is the legal owner. Thames Water will manage the foreshore, which will include a café. The shooting range was shut down to allow for the construction of the tunnel and sits beneath the undercroft. A report by the corporation noted the undercroft was "historically associated with antisocial behaviour" and has been inaccessible, with hoardings around it for decades. Three proposals have been put forward for the redevelopment of the site: A dedicated space for skateboarding and wheeled sports An energy centre delivering low-carbon heat Commercial options, such as kiosks and food and drink outlets A corporation spokesperson said the site was still being used to store materials related to the Tideway Tunnel. A further report detailing costs for each of the reuse options is to be presented to the City of London Corporation committee in early 2026. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Blackfriars Bridge undercroft could be skatepark or energy hub
A former rifle range and undercroft by Blackfriars Bridge could find a new use as a skatepark or energy site has been occupied since 2017 by Bazalgette Tunnel Ltd for the construction of the Thames Tideway will now return to either the City of London Corporation or Transport for London once it is determined which of the two bodies is the legal Water will manage the foreshore, which will include a café. The shooting range was shut down to allow for the construction of the tunnel and sits beneath the undercroft.A report by the corporation noted the undercroft was "historically associated with antisocial behaviour" and has been inaccessible, with hoardings around it for proposals have been put forward for the redevelopment of the site:A dedicated space for skateboarding and wheeled sportsAn energy centre delivering low-carbon heat Commercial options, such as kiosks and food and drink outletsA corporation spokesperson said the site was still being used to store materials related to the Tideway Tunnel.A further report detailing costs for each of the reuse options is to be presented to the City of London Corporation committee in early 2026.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Folsom skateboarders say city's only skatepark is too restrictive
Skateboarders in Folsom say the city's skatepark rules are too restrictive and it's driving people away. For 22 years, the rails and bowls inside Cummings Park have been a popular spot to ollie, flip, and grind. Since the beginning, the city has required skaters to sign in with a park attendant who monitors the skatepark for bad behavior. Brian Buxton has been skateboarding for more than three decades and says no other city goes and makes things so complicated. "[At] every other skatepark across the region and most across the country, there's nobody watching," he said. "It's just a public resource like any other park like a basketball court or a tennis court. Come and go as you please. Follow the rules." Buxton has even launched a petition drive, asking the city to loosen the rules. On average, more than 580 people use Folsom's skate park every month. The city says skatepark attendants help prevent fights, vandalism and make sure everyone is wearing the required safety pads and a helmet. But City Manager Bryan Whitemyer says the City of Folsom is facing a $3.5 million budget deficit and now, after more than two decades, he's considering eliminating the skatepark attendant position, which would save about $41,000 a year. "There is a little bit of risk that something could occur at the park," Whitemyer said. "We're not naive to think that everything's just going to go perfectly, but we're looking for every way to reduce our costs." On Tuesday, Folsom's city council will consider eliminating the skatepark attendant requirement, which, if approved, would take effect on July 1.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Ancoats skatepark demolished after three years for office block'
Skateboarders are "heartbroken" after their local skatepark was demolished to make way for an office complex. Community-built skatepark 'Gooseside DIY' was based on the former Central Retail Park in north Manchester and skaters say it took them three years to build. Jamie Reed, 27, helped build the space and said "there's a lot of sadness in the air" following the City Council said over £580,000 has been secured to build all wheel pump tracks at Delamere Park and Harpurhey park and a further £50k has been agreed to date to develop new skate park proposals for Chorlton Park. Jamie added: "I think we all knew that the demolition day was coming, but you can never really fully emotionally prepare yourself for watching three and a half years of hard work get demolished almost instantly."It was pretty heartbreaking."Volunteers used rubble, reclaimed materials, litter and hand-mixed concrete to build the make shift park and say it was the only free-to-use facility in Manchester city believes without spaces like Gooseside DIY, Manchester's skate scene will suffer."There's a big demand for skate space in the city.""A big part of the project was taking responsibility and instead of waiting for something to be built, we came together and did it ourselves".A further two sites in Platt Fields and Hulme Park have already been identified as key sites for the next stage of investment, a council spokesperson added. Sammy, a skateboarder who also helped build Gooseside DIY, says the park was essential for the city's skate added on any given summer's night or dry evening, you'd find 50 or 60 people down here whereas on a weekend, there could be 200 people."Gooseside quite quickly became integral to Manchester's skate scene. "It felt like we had no other option than to build our own place. So that's what we did." In February, planning permission was granted at the Ancoats site for a government office complex which promises to bring 7,000 civil service jobs to Manchester alongside a new urban will bring together a range Civil Service departments with a focus on John Hacking, executive member for employment, skills and leisure, said: "We have invested in safe and secure skate parks in many of the city's parks in recent years, creating a circuit across the city that complement each other, which means people can get a different experience at each. "But we want to continue this, and Platt Fields and Hulme Park are the next in line for key investment."He urged people to let the council know what they think about the plans and to attend any of the in person events being organised.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New skatepark set to complete decade-long revamp of park
A ten-year campaign to revamp the dated and dilapidated equipment in a Pembrokeshire park is reaching its final stages with the announcement that a new skatepark will soon be installed. The Lota Project has been working steadfastly since 2015, to completely overhaul Fishguard's Lota Park in stages. The group has replaced dilapidated and obsolete equipment and created a modern and inclusive play facility. This has been made possible due to a mixture of fundraising, donations from groups, individuals, the town council and support from Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government. Funding has been used to buy new swings, a wheelchair inclusive roundabout, a new-style witch's hat and an arm rotator roundabout, a small basketball area and a teqball. Other additions to the park have been a zipline, a large round swing, a gravity bowl, two new multi play installations, a new sea saw and springers. A new skatepark to replace the one that was removed more than a decade ago has always been part of the plan. Back in 2015 group member Cllr Pat Davies said that youngsters were using their scooters and skateboards in car parks, or having to travel to skate parks in Haverfordwest, Newport or Cardigan. 'If we can get the one back in Lota Park the children can be safe in their own community,' she said. Since 2021 has been the primary objective of the Lota Project group. This week the group announced that, after years of fundraising, a new skate park will be installed next month. Among its features will be a ledge, a quarter pipe and two fun box combinations which include a flat wedge and a grind rail. 'When we started this group quite a few years ago - you told us that the park needed a complete refurbish with inclusive play equipment for all ages, and a skate park on the footprint of the previous one,' said the Lota Project's Tracey Cullen Johnson. 'We had achieved everything we set out to do, except the skate park. 'After lots and lots of red tape, disappointments and hard work. We are really pleased to announce that Lota Park will finally get a new skate park. Installation will begin on July 7 2025.' Tracey added that the group's core members; herself, Cllr Pat Davies, Natalie Morgan-Davies and Rebecca LeFevre will be stepping down from the Lota Project after the installation is complete. Anyone who would like to continue with any further improvements to the park is welcome to continue the hard work. 'Thank you all for your support,' she added.
