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'Our kids love Haslingfield's £110k skate park replacement'

Katherine Ganczakowski/BBC Four children with scooters, HaslingfieldKatherine Ganczakowski/BBC
The skate park, which covers 50 sq metres (540 sq ft), is designed to attract all ages, and specifically aimed to attract girls as well as boys

A "dilapidated and unloved" skate park has been replaced with £110,000 version that aims to encourage girls to use it.

The facility at Haslingfield, near Cambridge, replaced one built in 2007 that had fallen into disrepair.

Parish councillor Ben Mavely said it was designed to be "accessible for all", and they sought help from a girls' skating group in Cambridge.

"It's so nice to hear parents say 'thank you so much, our kids love it'," he said.

Katherine Ganczakowski/BBC Boy with scooter, HaslingfieldKatherine Ganczakowski/BBC
Nearly two years in the making, it was designed by specialist skate park creator Betongpark
Ben Mavely Old skate park, HaslingfieldBen Mavely
The 2007 skate park had wooden ramps and a concrete base and had "not stood the test of time", said Ben Mavely

The village already has a recreation ground, a playground and tennis courts.

However, Mr Mavely said: "We didn't have anything in the village for the age group after 10 and up to 16 or 17 year olds, [and] the young adults, and they do need a space to hang out in."

Following a consultation, it became apparent what they wanted was "an area not just to socialise, but also to ride skateboards and scooters" and something that could attract serious skaters as well as young families.

Betongpark New skate park, HaslingfieldBetongpark
Skateboarders have been coming from far afield to try the new facilities

Mr Mavely said: "The whole female aspect was one of the major points, because my daughter wanted to skate but can find it quite intimidating, as it can be a male-orientated environment.

"So we liaised with Girl Skate Cambridgeshire, who helped and publicised it massively."

Once the initial design was revealed, it became apparent a facility was needed that was "quite technical" for experienced skateboarders and also suitable for young families.

"So on Friday, we had my four-year-old son on his scooter next to a professional skateboarder doing his crazy tricks," Mr Mavely said.

"And we had skateboarders coming from Clacton, Stevenage, Ely; it's crazy, to come here to come to our little village in south Cambridgeshire."

Katherine Ganczakowski/BBC Ben MavelyKatherine Ganczakowski/BBC
Ben Mavely said parents had told him "we can't believe we've got this in our village - our kids love it"

The park was mostly funded by the Thalia WB Community Fund, with the rest from the parish council.

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