BMX Skate Park Project
This project was initiated by a group of pupils from the Henry Mellish Secondary School on Highbury Vale. They wanted to renovate the existing, but overgrown, BMX Track sited between the Crabtree Farm and Snapewood Estates and to have an area designated for Skate boarding. They rightly identified the lack of facilities for young people in Bulwell and wanted to create an area that 'belonged' to the local youth.
The initial aim was to simply 'patch up' the existing provision but once Bulwell Vision had consulted with local riders and skaters it was quickly realised that, to ensure the project's success, the facility needed to be of a high standard and unique in its construction.
A Working group was established which included Education Officers, Youth Offending Team, Fire, Youth and Play Services and local volunteers. The project has been approached in phases. The area itself is now secure and the Track developed to national standards. Bulwell staged the British Cycling Federation's first race of the summer season this year and will hold a further meeting in December. A Bulwell Outlaws BMX club provides coaching for local young people and already has over 30 members. A unit adjacent to the Track has been transformed into a workshop and accredited courses on bike maintenance are being delivered to pupils referred from the two secondary schools in the area.
The third phase is to secure money to construct the skate park. Architects drawings have been prepared and approximate costings obtained. There is a need to carry out a further site survey to ensure the land is free from contamination and planning permission has to be sought. This development illustrates what can be achieved when project work is undertaken creatively across sectors with mutually agreed aims and objectives and a shared vision.
Ashton Park
The tragic death of a local young boy, Ashton Hazell, caused great distress in the Snapewood community. Ashton was a huge basketball fan who traveled with youth workers to other areas in order to play his favorite sport. Ashton's friends from the Riverleen School and his family want the new development at the back of Snapewood Community Centre to be named after him.
This designated park area has never attracted either the local youth to play sports nor the younger children to use the play park facilities. The Community Association and other residents explained that because the play park was set back from the road and adjacent to a wooded area younger children were deterred from playing on it. It therefore attracted older youths who use it as a meeting point. The grassed area, provided for sport, has no suitable equipment on it other than two mini goal posts that are in a poor state of repair.
The project has emerged through consultation with local residents, youth and play workers and young people in the area. The old play park is to be removed and a new one created at the front of the site and linked to the Community Centre. A youth shelter, a ball court on a tarmac area and specialised park equipment, aimed at young people, are to be provided as part of the development. The young people from Snapewood are being asked to choose from various designs for this equipment in order to make sure that the project delivers and responds to their needs.
The majority of funds for this project have been secured and negotiations regarding maintenance are in progress with the City Council.
For further information on these projects please contact Debbie Webster the Community Involvement Worker at Bulwell Vision.