Beginners, women and girls joined together at Rushcliffe Country Park’s new skate park to have a go at the sport as part of official opening celebrations on Saturday August 14.
The sessions were provided by Skate Nottingham and included women, girls, non-binary and LGBTQ+, with instructors on hand for guidance and then all BMX and wheeled sports joined the jam from 11.30am.
The £210,000 skate park opened in June, perfectly timed to capture the legacy of great achievements by Britain’s skateboarding and BMX athletes at Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics and was funded by Rushcliffe Borough Council and supported by Skate Nottingham, Canvas Spaces, and VIA East Midlands.
Prizes were awarded for various achievements, from beginner level through to advanced.
The Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change Cllr Abby Brennan joined the Mayor of Rushcliffe Cllr Sue Mallender and representatives from Skate Nottingham and Canvas Spaces to cut the ribbon and officially open the park.
Cllr Brennan said: “It was absolutely brilliant to see so many beginners, women and girls join together to enjoy this fantastic new facility and I even had a go myself!
“We’d like to thank Skate Nottingham for providing the coaching and guidance sessions which gave younger and older skaters alike a chance to have a go at the sport.
“The reactions to the park have been really positive, highlighting our collaborative approach when designing and building the facility.”
Madam Mayor said: “It’s been an amazing and inclusive event with so many people of all ages having a try at skate boarding, inspired by the achievements of thirteen-year-old Sky Brown at Tokyo 2020.
“It was really great to see all having a fabulous time enjoying the new skate park, which is a fantastic addition to Rushcliffe Country Park and we hope it will be enjoyed by all for years to come.”
The facility replaced the former wooden structure which was in need of refurbishment and the Council developed the project alongside Skate Nottingham, science education charity Ignite! Futures and Nottingham Trent University.