New ramps are to be installed at Swanage Skatepark in a matter of months as a builder has been employed to start creating the first phase of an exciting sports facility.
Fundraisers for the Swanage Skatepark Community Project (SSCP) have crashed through their first target of £75,000, meaning that equipment for riders of all levels can be in place for autumn 2025.
Ramps for all abilities and ages will be installed during phase one of the new rebuild
A fantastic opportunity for riders
Following a formal tender process King Ramps, a top name in skatepark construction, has been chosen to deliver phase one of the new facility, with a design which includes nine out of the top ten most voted for features in the public user consultation.
These will be a mix of transition and street equipment, with some of the features including a funbox, flat banks, a euro gap, quarter pipes, an A-frame, ledges and rails, to offer flow, fun and something for every ability and type of wheels.
Swanage’s Trevor Chadwick Trust, which raised money to commission the sculpture of World War Two hero Trevor Chadwick near the bandstand, has donated its remaining funds – more than £2,100 – to help kick off the second phase of the skatepark redevelopment.
Now a Community Design consultation day is being held at the skatepark in King George playing field on Saturday 12th July 2025 between 12 noon and 3 pm, where young people can meet King Ramps, view the design and share their thoughts, to help influence what the new equipment will look like.
Organisers have called the event a fantastic opportunity for local riders on scooters, BMX bikes, skateboards or skates, to get involved and make sure the new park reflects the needs and creativity of those who will use it.
Heidi Florence, Barry Mawson and Lorna Haines of SSCP at a skatepark open day in June 2024
“I’m really proud of all we’ve done”
Heidi Florence, Swanage Skatepark secretary, said:
“Reaching this stage in our project is a huge milestone – we’re just a bunch of skaters without any prior experience of fundraising at this scale.
“It’s taken a lot to bring this to fruition on top of work and other life commitments, I’m really proud of all we’ve done. Not only is the skatepark going to benefit current users, it’s a facility that will continue to be enjoyed by younger generations who aren’t even born yet.
“When I think about our project, there’s a proverb that springs to mind – ‘If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent the night with a mosquito’.
“We started something and the community of Swanage has rallied around us to make it happen. People have been so generous with sharing their knowledge and experience to help us make progress.”
A skate jam in memory of Will Paddy in April 2025 continued the fundraising for phase two
“Fundraising efforts for phase two continue”
Heidi added:
“We’ve learned that building community means showing up even when it’s not always convenient. It means nurturing relationships, learning to trust new people, and collaborating with those we may not have worked with before.
“These efforts have been fundamental to the success of our project. Time and again, we’ve been reminded that as residents of Swanage, we are all interdependent and that interdependence is a source of strength.
“This is just the first stage of the project, it was always our ambition to not only replace the equipment that was there before, but to improve it – so our fundraising efforts for a phase two build will continue.
“The ambition for phase two is lower height ramps and features that will appeal to beginners as well as providing fun for more experienced riders in the smaller empty area of the skatepark.”
The skatepark will benefit bikers, skateboarders and scooters of all abilities
Positive effect on mental health
SSCP came up with plans for a multi-stage redevelopment of the park, after ageing equipment had to be removed in 2022, leaving the skatepark site only partially usable and less interesting for riders.
Phase one was funded thanks to generous donations through a hugely successful Crowdfunder campaign Swanage, along with grants from Talbot Village Trust, the Valentine Trust and two contributions from Swanage Town Council.
Now SSCP is already fundraising for phase two, with £12,000 secured so far and more grant applications in the pipeline. The group hopes that installing new, exciting equipment will get more people riding the ramps and have a positive effect on the mental and physical health of the town.
Following the success of a Skate Jam in memory of Will Paddy hosted at Swanage Skatepark in April, SSCP shared profits of £477 with #WillDoes, a local charity with a shared vision of success for young people.
A birdseye view of Swanage Skatepark in King George playing field, where redevelopment will start in autumn 2025
“Swanage’s most thrilling public space”
SSCP vice chair Barry Mawson said:
“This isn’t just about ramps – it’s about confidence, wellbeing, freedom, and fun. We’ve got more work ahead to raise funds for phase two, but for now, it’s time to celebrate getting equipment on the ground this year.
“We encourage everyone, no matter what wheels you ride on, to get involved with the design consultation and help shape the next chapter of Swanage’s most thrilling public space.
“We appreciate that not everyone will be able to visit the skatepark and view the designs in person on the consultation day, so an online option and survey will also be available, which we will update on our social media pages.”
An open day will be held at the skatepark in July for community input into the new design and ramps
Further information
- Details of the design survey will be publicised on SSCP’s social media pages
