Donkey Common Skatepark
Donkey Common skatepark sits at the gateway to Mill Road, one of Cambridge's most vibrant streets. Built nearly 20 years ago, the park is in need of refurbishment.
Cam Skate are working with Cambridge City Council to explore options for improving this space.
Why does Donkey Common skatepark need to be refurbished?
The construction of this skatepark makes it difficult to use safely.
Rough surface - The tarmac surface makes falls more likely and more dangerous.
Bumpy joins - Uneven transitions between ramp and ground can cause sudden stops.
Slippery material - The varnished ramp surface increases the risk of falls.
According to RoSPA guidance on skateboarding safety, "accidental falls due to loss of balance are the most common with about half of falls due to rough riding surface."
Additionally the outdated design makes this one of the most unpopular skateparks in the city:
- The footprint of the park is too small to allow for more than one person to skate at once
- The ramps are too big, which makes them unsuitable for beginners, and for a park of this size
- The current installation looks clunky and dated, presenting an eye-sore
Our proposed design: a skate plaza
Cam Skate, working with Cambridge City Council, considered three different approaches for this space. Based on feedback from councillors and the community, the available budget, and the fit with this central, city-centre location, the proposed design is a skate plaza.
Sat between Jesus Green skatepark, Trumpington skatepark and The Warehouse indoor skatepark, a plaza would be a central hub for skating in Cambridge. Its open layout fits seamlessly into the pedestrianised area at the gateway to Mill Road.
Skate Plaza
A street-style plaza with ledges, banks, and manual pads. This design feels like a public space while being primarily a skatepark.
Plaza-style parks are beginner-friendly and allow many skaters to use the space at once. They also suit the central, visible location at the gateway to Mill Road.
Outline concept produced by Cam Skate.
Estimated cost: £125,000
Pros
- Largest skating area
- Biggest potential for mixed-use (seating, stalls for fairs) - well suited to central location
Cons
- Biggest expansion of footprint
- Would require funding from community plus maximal use of grants
Click to expand
Image source: Born Skate Plaza, Barcelona
Other options considered
Two other designs were considered before the plaza was selected as the proposed approach. Click to expand the details.
Skatelite Mini Ramp — £30,000
A high-quality wooden mini ramp with Skatelite surface.
Example: Fowlmere mini ramp by Four One Four Skateparks.
Pros
- Cheapest option
- Can fit within existing footprint
- A high quality outdoor mini ramp is a skate feature that Cambridge currently lacks
- Good for skaters of all abilities
- Surface likely to last 5 to 10 years
Cons
- Will need eventual resurfacing
- Blocks sightlines
- Not an entirely new type of feature in Cambridge
Concrete Bowl — £110,000 + VAT
A purpose-built concrete bowl offering a unique skating experience. Concrete is extremely durable and requires minimal maintenance.
Bowls are popular with transition skaters and the growing roller skating community. Cambridge currently has no dedicated bowl.
Example: Heartsease Pool in Norwich by Betongpark.
Pros
- Can fit within existing square footage of tarmac footprint
- Increase sightlines across park if sunk or partially sunk into ground
- Entirely new type of skate feature for Cambridge
- Concrete is durable
- Good for skaters of all abilities
Cons
- Would require additional funding (but could likely be paid for from available grants)
Image source: Betongpark
How to make this happen
Refurbishing Donkey Common skatepark requires collaboration between the skating community, Cambridge City Council, and potential funders.
What we need:
- Council support to progress the project and apply for planning permission if necessary
- Community input on which design direction to pursue
- Input on the tender process so feedback from the skating community of Cambridge makes up a significant part of the quality score, allowing the skating community to have a say on the final design and construction proposal
- Funding from grants, crowdfunding, and local businesses
Funding is being gathered from several sources:
- Cambridge City Council has committed £25,000 + VAT towards a new skating area on the site.
- The local skate community has already raised over £2,500 through crowdfunding and grant applications.1
- An application to the Thalia WB Community Fund for £50,000 is in progress.
- A planned crowdfunder backed by a £10,000 match from the Sport England Movement Fund could contribute up to £20,000 if successful.
The plaza concept is designed to flex with the funding raised — a meaningful build can be delivered for around £100,000, with the full £125,000 design unlocking the largest skating area and the broadest mixed-use potential.
Funding progress towards the £125,000 plaza
£0
£100,000 (flex target)
£125,000
- Committed by Cambridge City Council — £25,000 + VAT
- Already raised by the community — £2,500
- Thalia WB Community Fund (application in progress) — £50,000
- Crowdfunder + Sport England match (planned) — up to £20,000
Striped segments are funding sources that are in progress and not yet confirmed.
Want to get involved or share your views on the project? Get in touch at hello@cam-skate.co.uk
Read our Conflict of Interest Policy, Access Statement, and Equal Opportunities Policy.
Supporting documentation
Letters of support and other documents relating to the Donkey Common skatepark campaign.
Petition: refurbish Donkey Common skatepark
Around 450 people signed this petition calling on Cambridge City Council to refurbish the Donkey Common skatepark. Signatures were gathered by Cam Skate at the Mill Road Winter Fair in December 2022.
Letter of commitment: Cambridge City Council
Joe Notarnicola, Recreation Technical Officer at Cambridge City Council, confirms the Council will take full responsibility for future maintenance of the Donkey Common skatepark for at least 10 years, and will invest a further £25,000 of ringfenced funds towards creating a new skating area on the site.
Letter of support: Thomas Keady, Red Balloon Learning Centre
Thomas Keady, Lead Youth Worker at Red Balloon Learning Centre Cambridge, writes in support of the Donkey Common skatepark redevelopment. He describes the transformative impact skating has had on his SEND students and the value a new, accessible outdoor park in the heart of Cambridge would bring to young people and families.
Letter of support: PC Beatrice Ley, Cambridgeshire Constabulary
PC Beatrice Ley, Neighbourhood officer for Cambridge City Centre and West, writes in support of renovations to the Donkey Common and Jesus Green skateparks. She sets out how pro-social use of these spaces — supported by better lighting, CCTV and skater consultation throughout planning — would help reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.
Notes
1 Darryl Preston - the Police & Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire - awarded the Donkey Common project £3,500 from the PCC Youth Fund. Unfortunately it was not possible to spend the money in time and the grant was returned.