New skatepark opens as part of £730k investment

A new skatepark that forms part of a £730,000 investment in a Derbyshire town has opened to the public.

The facility at Matlock's Hall Leys Park replaces the 20-year-old wooden skatepark which had required "constant maintenance" in recent years.

Derbyshire Dales District Council said the new site was the second of three projects being built in the park.

Council leader Steve Flitter said: "It was fantastic to see so many young people using the new facility on day one."

The skatepark - built by Fearless Ramps - includes quarter pipes, box jumps, a plaza, a flat bank sub-box and several grind rails.

The new facility follows the installation of non-slip resin-bonded surfacing to main paths in the park.

A new interactive splashpad, replacing an ageing paddling pool installed 16 years ago, will be built later this year.

The projects have been funded via a grant of £450,737 from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) with match funding of £280,000 from the district council.

Flitter said: "This is a massive win for the Hall Leys Skatepark Project group, who started working with us two years ago to identify funding for a new skatepark, only for the council to successfully apply to the UKSPF.

"It's a brilliant example of what a local council can achieve through close working with its community."

The new skatepark has also secured funding towards coaching sessions for primary age, secondary age and girls-only sessions later in the year.

An official opening event will take place on 19 July.

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