PRLog (Press Release) –
Berkhamsted Skate Park’s first community event was a great success and a flying start to a programme of skating events planned for the future. Over 50 young people, many supported by their parents, turned up to enjoy an afternoon of skateboarding competitions, training and demonstrations of skateboarding skills provided by skate events group Tribeskate.
After 8 years of consultations and campaigning by Berkhamsted Youth Town Council, a pro active group of local young people, with the help of the co-ordinator of the Swan Youth Centre, Clare Muir, the skate park was installed earlier this year by Watford based Monster Play Systems.
Clare commented: “This is the first event we have organised since the skate park opened. The young people in the town have really got behind this project, and I am delighted by the number of young people who have joined in today. There are more skating events planned for the future by the Swan Youth Centre following funding from Barclays Bank. These will include fun days and training days and we will involve outreach workers to encourage the young people of Berkhamsted to take a positive approach to their role in their own community.”
The skate ramps include: a quarter pipe, a quarter pipe flat bank combo ramp, a fun box, and a flat back box, and a web springer. Monster Play Systems also installed two of their two stylish, durable youth shelters complete with polycarbonate view panels to provide a refuge where skaters can socialise during breaks from skating.
Marco Boi, marketing manager of Monster Play Systems who designed and installed the skate park commented: “This was a particularly rewarding project for us. Involving the young people of Berkhamsted from the outset meant they took ownership of the skate park and made a positive contribution to the design of the layout. People like 16 year old Jordan Pointer and his friends from the Swan Skater group asked for the flatbacks to be closer to the quarter pipes to make it more practical and challenging. We took their ideas on board when designing the layout, and the results are very obvious today. The popularity of this skate park clearly demonstrates that if everybody works together as a team, success will surely follow.”
Many parents supported the event. Mrs Debbie Sanson commented: “The effort that went into getting this skate park was well worth it. The young people were creating problems in the town previously, but since the skate park opened, it has dramatically reduced. My son rarely went out, but now he can’t wait to go out skateboarding as soon as he gets in from school. It’s reassuring for me because I know exactly where he is and what he is doing.”
e n d s
Date May 2007
Editor’s Notes
High resolution photographs available on request
Contact details
Marco Boi, Sales and Marketing Manager, Monster Play Systems
Tel: 01923 811591 e-mail: marco.boi@monsterplay.co.uk
Clare Muir
Tel: 07941 470066
Colin Caldicott, Ultimedia PR
Tel: 01767 601470 e-mail: colin@ultimediapr.co.uk
