Skate parks
Background
As a result of significant
changes in both the sporting culture and lifestyle of many young
people, there has been a huge increase in the demand for skate
parks.
The Workington Young People's
Strategy in 2002 identified a lack of facilities for young people
within the town. 93% of the young people surveyed sought out of
home activities and requested that any new facility be centrally
located.
One of the priorities was the
provision of a skate park.

The Workington Youth Alternative Sports Group (WYASG)
approached Workington SRB (Single Regeneration Budget), local
residents, members of the public and officers of Allerdale Borough
Council to establish the need for a skate park and the most
appropriate site having successfully raised over £100,000 for a
facility.
Initially the group focused on
Vulcan Park but local residents expressed concern over the
installation of such a facility. Around 21 other sites were
evaluated using a matrix
with various criteria and the group decided on Horseclose
in Curwen Park, Workington.
Planning permission was
successfully applied for by the group in mid October 2004 with the
site completed in early 2005.
The street furniture and equipment
chosen by WYASG is designed to be unobtrusive with low noise level
qualities and cater for a wide age and skill range.
