Brand new specially designed ramps are being welded in place at Swanage skatepark in Dorset after a successful £75,000 community fundraiser to rejuvenate part of the much loved facility.
The keenly anticipated Phase One build will see an impressive ‘street scene’ layout installed, to replace the old ramps which had to be removed in 2023 due to safety issues.
Chaz, Ryan and Pete from King Ramps start construction at the Swanage skatepark
Huge improvement
Park builder King Ramps, which is one of the top skatepark design companies in the UK and across Europe, started work on Tuesday 11th November 2025 at the skate park in King George’s playing fields.
Sections of the ramps have been prefabricated at the company’s factory in Cambridgeshire and the team is now bolting and welding it all together on site.
It will make a huge improvement to what was there before and is more than the Swanage Skatepark Community Project (SSCP) team said it expected to deliver in a Phase One build.
It’s anticipated that the work will take about two weeks to complete, depending on the weather, but should see it finished by December 2025, in time for the Christmas holidays.
Swanage’s new ramps are prefabricated at the King Ramps factory in Ely, Cambridgeshire
Welding the panels together on site
What the new ramps will look like when completed
Amazing fundraising efforts
It’s the latest stage of evolution for Swanage skatepark which was founded many decades ago, and revived in 2000 by an ambitious fundraising campaign led by Lorna Haines.
New half pipe ramps were installed in 2022, but an older set of metal ramps had to be removed in 2023 after becoming unsafe due to years of much use.
This left a large empty space to fill but amazing fundraising efforts by the new Swanage Skatepark Community Project (SSCP) team have meant the skatepark is now getting a state-of-the-art layout of ramps, to add to the relatively new half pipe ramps.
The journey to Phase One has been powered by persistence by SSCP with the help of many supporters including Swanage Town Council, Swanage and Purbeck Rotary, Swanage Carnival and individuals like local resident Tony, who has been raising money by singing outside the White Swan in Swanage town centre.
A community crowdfunder along with substantial grants from the Talbot Village Trust and The Valentine Trust plus match funding from Sport England has made the skate park’s latest reincarnation possible.
Skate jams like this one sponsored by youth charity #Willdoes have raised crucial funding
Local singer Tony has been raising money for the skatepark which is much used by his granddaughter
“Important to reflect on the milestone”
Driving force behind the project Heidi Florence said:
“This is a big moment for the project – absolutely huge – and it’s important to reflect on the milestone but we are already looking at the next stage – Phase Two, which is installing smaller ramps for beginners and younger users.
“So we’re still fundraising and wish to thank everyone who has contributed so far. This is your achievement and we couldn’t have done it without you.
“The callout now is for the community, especially young people, to hang out down here and make the most of the new ramps once they are fully installed. It’s your skate park!”
Barry Mawson and Heidi Florence from SSCP are delighted to see work start on the much anticipated Phase One build
More events at the skatepark will become possible as the site is rejuvenated
Fundraising for Phase Two
Efforts are now focussing on fundraising for Phase Two. This stage will complete the skatepark by installing lower height ramps and features designed especially for beginners, improvers and families.
Although the area is smaller in size than Phase One, it’s estimated to cost £80,000, as resurfacing needs to be included in the price.
The project has been selected as a Co-op local cause, one of three locally, which will receive a share of the Co-op community fund between October 2025 and October 2026, so anyone shopping at the supermarket can contribute towards the fundraising.
There will also be a chance for businesses and organisations to sponsor items of skatepark equipment, and SSCP says it is ready to help promote and support anyone who has an idea, event, or campaign to raise funds for the skatepark.
Further information
- Donate to the crowdfunder
- More about Swanage Skatepark Community Project
- Contact the SSCP team via email swanageskatepark@gmail.com
