'If dreams were made of concrete': Falmouth Skatepark opens EARLY

Falmouth’s long-awaited skatepark has officially opened, just in time for the start of the school summer holiday.

At one stage it appeared nothing more than a half-pipe dream, but after 15 years in the making the Falmouth Skatepark project has actually completed early.

Inspectors gave the official sign-off on Friday morning, leaving the new facilities Dracaena playing fields ready for use by all wheeled sports enthusiasts.

Falmouth Skatepark Project Committee has been leading the project, supported by Falmouth Town Council.

They described the new skatepark as the result of years of dedicated fundraising efforts by the project committee, supported by generous donations from local groups and businesses including Sessions Surf & Skate Shop, Falmouth and Penryn Lions Club, and Cornish Holiday Cottages.

Money also came from Helen Forrestor in memory of her son Christian Holdfast, a keen skateboarder and tattooist, raised from the sale of 52 skateboards featuring his artwork, to commemorate his 50th birthday in June.

You can read more about the fundraising efforts here: Call goes out for skate park fundraisers as 'significant donations' handed over

These contributions, alongside funding from Falmouth Town Council and a game-changing £145,000 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, have enabled the new community facilities to finally be realised.

The new skatepark is now ready for skateboarders, scooters, roller-skaters and in-line skaters (Image: Falmouth Town Council)

Maverick Skateparks are the industry specialists responsible for the design and build of the skatepark, which has been completed well ahead of its initial August 2024 deadline.

Skateboarders, scooters, roller-skaters, and in-line skaters of all ages and abilities are now welcome to experience the excitement of this state-of-the-art facility with immediate effect.

Councillor Kirstie Edwards joined fellow Falmouth Skatepark committee members and Falmouth Town Council’s ground’s manager Simon Penna at the skatepark on Friday morning for the official sign-off from the inspectors.

Kirstie, who oversaw the last year of the project as town mayor until May, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Falmouth Skatepark is now open. If dreams were made of concrete, this park would be the ultimate dream come true.

“It is the culmination of years of effort to bring this much-needed asset to the town and I am so proud of what the Falmouth Skatepark Project and the community has achieved.

“Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard on this project and to Maverick for their expertise in creating such an amazing park. I cannot wait to come back over the weekend and see it buzzing with activity.”

Rules for using the skatepark (Image: Falmouth Town Council)

New town mayor Alan Rowe also spoke of his delight, saying: “This opening marks another exciting milestone in Falmouth Town Council’s commitment to enhancing recreational facilities for our community, which already includes the Pump Track at Trescobeas and the outdoor gym at Dracaena.

“A huge thank you must go to my fellow councillor Kirstie and the Falmouth Skatepark Project Committee for their dedication and commitment to seeing this project through to fruition.

“I’m certain this skatepark will be a magnet for Falmouth’s young people and young at heart. What a fantastic new addition to our town and I can’t wait for the ‘Skatefete’ event in September!”

While the skatepark is now open for use, some final touches of this phase of the project are still to come:

Planting of the banks and surrounding land

Grass seed, wildflowers, and trees will be planted on the brown banks and scrub land surrounding the park in the autumn, in line with the planting seasons. Until then, users are asked to be mindful of these areas.

Brooms will be available to help keep any excess soil that may make its way into the skatepark off the concrete.

New public toilet

Currently there are no public toilets available at the Dracaena playing fields. The council and committee are working in partnership with the Dracaena Centre to convert one of their existing toilets into a public toilet accessible during and outside of the centre’s opening hours, and hope that this facility will be ready before too long.

More information will follow on this in the coming weeks.

Seating

As part of the original proposal, new seating will be provided around the skatepark by the end of the summer, subject to the supplier’s availability to install it.

Access

The final phase of the skatepark project will involve creating a turning circle and improved two-way access to the car park. Due to the costs involved, this will require additional funding. Falmouth Town Council and the Falmouth Skatepark Project are exploring all possible funding opportunities to complete this last stage.

Skatefete

An official opening, the 'Skatefete’ event, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 7. The community event, open to everyone, will include live music, a skating competition, food and drink, art activities led by Falmouth Art Gallery, a football penalty challenge, and more.

Any community groups interested in taking part in the event are encouraged to get in touch with the Falmouth Skatepark Committee through their Facebook page.

Updates about skatepark, including details of forthcoming coaching sessions and the Skatefete event, will be posted on Falmouth Skatepark Project's Facebook page.