Our Outline Concept Document explains an approach that suits the location and meet the needs of Cambridge skatepark users.

We propose a plaza style skatepark that has the feeling of a public space, but is primarily a skatepark.

The refurbished park should have an expanded footprint, be constructed of high quality materials and make the wider space more pleasant overall, not just for skaters.

Download the Outline Concept Document here

A larger park with a few simple obstacles allows more people to skate at once.

This open space will make the park more beginner friendly, and able to support the ever-growing skateboard scene in Cambridge.

Note that any expansion needs to take the existing tree placement into account - see green space below.

Well-constructed skateparks are better for skating and they last longer.

Natural stone paving (e.g. granite) would be very robust, looks good, and feels even better to skate on.

This surfacing option would make the design feel more multifunctional and fits the plaza aesthetic.

Power floated concrete would be a cheaper option, still very robust and cheap to maintain.

This design proposal intentionally does not reflect the common image of a skatepark, instead drawing inspiration from street skating.

Instead of large transition features we suggest street-style obstacles such as ledges, banks, and manual pads.

Of the two Olympic disciplines - park and street - Cambridge skate facilities mainly focus on park style. This design would bring a new type of park to the city and surrounding areas.

These simple obstacles are much cheaper to construct than half pipes and bowls.

Our design removes the unnecessary separation of skateboarding and the rest of public life and opens sightlines blocked by the existing ramps. The development would enliven an abandoned space right in the centre of Cambridge and bring additional footfall to Mill Road.

This doesn't mean forcing passers-by to have to dodge skaters - tactile paving, perimeter ledges or grass buffers can provide a degree of separation.

This project is a net win for open spaces and biodiversity.

We propose to expand the skatepark, which will remove some of the existing grass. We propose planting new trees to increase the total biodversity in the space.

Refurbishing the skatepark to something usable will be a net gain for leisure and recreation, and a plaza style park can be used for events, rather than solely for skating.