Make Donkey Common skatepark fit for use

From "Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP) - 2022"

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Donkey Common skatepark is not fit for use, and needs to be improved in order to meet the needs of Cambridge skateboarders.

The current skatepark is too small, and is composed of poor quality materials - rough tarmac and slippery, non-seamless ramps.

Cam Skate present a proposal for a skate plaza that meets the needs of the 'Street' discipline of Olympic skateboarding.

This proposal has the support of all 3 Petersfield ward councillors: Mike Davey, Richard Robertson and Katie Thornburrow. We have also received support from Skateboard GB (see attached letter), the PCC (see funding) and Cllr. Alice Gilderdale.

Why improve Donkey Common skatepark?

Skateboarding is a popular and growing sport in Cambridge and has more than 750,000 active participants across the UK. Due to this high demand, Cambridge skateparks are often dangerously overcrowded - we need to increase the amount of useable skateable space in the city.
Free to use public skateparks are powerful forces for tackling inequality, providing a positive community space where people of all backgrounds can be active, benefiting mental and physical health.
A good skatepark can improve an area’s talent retention and can increase the number of young residents who return to their hometowns in later adulthood to start businesses, families and to invest in their communities.
As a form of active travel, encouraging skateboarding should be considered as part of Cambridge's response to the climate crisis.

Funding the skatepark:

We estimate the cost at £75,000 and are looking for EIP funding in partnership with other funds.

Cam Skate have raised £3500 from crowdfunding and a further £3500 was awarded by the Police and Crime Commissioner's Youth Fund.
The City Council, the owners of the land, can submit a capital grant application to a landfill tax funder e.g. FCC.
Working with Skateboard GB we have identified potential match funding from Sport England, British Cycling and Aviva.

Official updates

Last update: 20 December 2022

Thank you for your project application idea, the project idea I understand, hopes to address a need in improving skating provision at Donkey Common. Unfortunately on reviewing the application I have to inform you that the funding associated with the EIP programme and does not cover skateparks (or multi-sports areas). I understand via one of my colleagues (Anthony French) that dialogue on various funding and revenue options which have ultimately proved unsuccessful and that CamSkate are continuing to pursue external funding at this time. Anthony has advised that there is a commitment to undertake a strategic review of skate park facility provision/ need in the city to inform our decision making around future facility needs, including design and locations and that this could potentially be included in our pending Play Strategy review which will be undertaken in the new year. Wishing you every success in identifying future funding, to have skateboarding as part of a Council strategy will certainly increase the opportunities for future investment in wheel sports facilities.

James Ogle (Cambridge City Council - Officer)Posted on 20 December 2022

Comments(6)

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Profile of Thomas Russell

Posted by:Thomas Russell

4 years ago

It is a great shame that the most recent time this park has been given any thought was in was in 2014, the year that the Tour d'France passed right by. It was repainted the vibrant green colour, nothing to preserve or improve the usability of the area, an effort emblematic of the disconnect that many councils have with these types of spaces. For so many years this park has been the facade of a skatepark, a hollow installation which looks best from far away. We want people to take a closer look at this space, as skateboarders we understand that the potential this site offers and locally the history reflects this. Do Cambridge justice, a well managed site here will do more than just bring skateboarders to this part of the city, but poorly managed, the site does nothing for anyone.

1 like

Profile of Tom Duncan

Posted by:Tom Duncan

4 years ago

This is precisely what’s needed for the city - not only an exceptional use of space but great vision and foresight from a committed community of people that have approached and considered plans for the space with balance and insight in the right way. Well done

2 likes

Profile of Jessie Amaro

Posted by:Jessie Amaro

4 years ago

This is an amazing project and a much needed improvement for the skateboarding community in Cambridge. Well done to everyone supporting this!

2 likes

Profile of Barnabas Wilson

Posted by:Barnabas Wilson

4 years ago

This is a much needed improvement to Finley common, the skatepark is an eye sore and it’s sad to see no one skate it. We want to be part of the community and I think the volume of votes we’ve already got for this project is astounding. This is a great opportunity for skating to be part of the community, where people can stop & watch, have a go if they like and see it for the awesome culture that it is! Skateboarding can bring so many benefits to people from all walks of life, keep people out of trouble, give them something productive and creative to work on and really express themselves.

2 likes

Profile of Philip Driver

Posted by:Philip Driver

4 years ago

Wholeheartedly support this, since my son started skating we've found the Community to be very supportive, inclusive and positive; the more opportunities the better

2 likes

Profile of Haidee Carpenter

Posted by:Haidee Carpenter

4 years ago

This is very much needed in the city. Well done to those working hard to try to make this happen. We need more facilities like this! Please include a concrete path to the park, to avoid mud on the park, and so those on Roller Skates can also use it.