Much-needed revamp of Southwold’s skatepark in Pier Avenue given green light by council

A campaigner who fought for a much-needed revamp of a town skatepark said he is excited after plans were finally approved.

Plans to transform the skatepark, in Pier Avenue, Southwold, in a £160,000 scheme were given the go-ahead by East Suffolk Council just before Christmas.

Carl Hurr, 50, spearheaded a campaign for improved facilities, having helped design the original park.

He said: “I’m majorly excited. It’s been a long-time coming.

“I’ve been involved with the site for 35 years. It was originally put in because of me.

“When I was 15, I got in trouble with the police for skating, and the town clerk at the time got to hear about it and said ‘we have a bit of land in Southwold that we need to do something with, how do you fancy getting an area for skateboarding.

“They put a bit of tarmac with a few wooden ramps, and throughout the years, I’ve tried to keep it going.”

The new design includes three main areas that flow from the bowl combo - a transitioned street-style area; fun lumps and bumps; and a plaza inspired by the pier.

There will also be a basketball area as well as new seating features.

The park will be built in fully reinforced concrete – replacing the current tarmac slab.

Carl’s partner, Melanie Wilson, who helped raise funds for the new park, said the site was designed for people of all ages.

She said: “We wanted it to be a space where parents can sit with their kids and relax for a minute and where everybody of different ages can be together and play together.

“The design is for everybody from beginners to little tots on scooters to more experienced users in their 40/50s.”

She added: “We’re just so relieved and excited. We cannot wait to see the build get started.

“The reason we got it there is because Carl kept pushing for it.

“He pushed it again this time and I helped him with the funding – we basically didn’t give up.”

The project has received funding from various groups, including £10,000 from East Suffolk Council.

It has also been developed in collaboration with Southwold Town Council and the skatepark community.

Works on the site are due to start in March.

Melanie said the leftover funds will go towards free coaching lessons for children aged 6-16.

Anyone who would like to get their child involved can email Melanie via southwoldskatepark@gmail.com.