A NEW skate park co-designed by youngsters which aims to get locals off the streets officially opened on Wednesday.
The youth activity park, on Schwabisch Gmund Way, is a standalone facility but neighbours the multi-million pound Base71 youth zone.
Supported by the government’s Levelling Up Fund and Sport England, it has been co-designed in consultation with local children and young people.
It’s the culmination of years of planning - with ambitions first revealed in 2021 to regenerate the former electricity depot site - and both are set to work to get youngsters off the streets and into sport.
It includes a skate park suitable for all levels, a beginner-friendly bike track, new active travel routes and inclusive play spaces including a parkour area.
The opening event included an opportunity for year six pupils from Queen’s Road Primary School to enjoy the park and watch a spectacular show from Team Extreme, an extreme sports display group.
Sir Steve Houghton, leader of the council, told the Chronicle: “It’s another day as part of our Great Childhoods Ambition which is to provide Barnsley’s young people with the best possible facilities.
“We’ve got Base 71 which has taken off in a way none of us could have dreamed of - and now this will complement that.
“It’s a world-class design and it’s as good as anything you’ll see anywhere in the country.
“Barnsley’s really making progress now and it’s important that we don’t lose that.
“We need to keep that momentum because there’s so much more that we can do.
“We’re showing the srest of the region, if not the rest of the country, what can be done.”
Coun Ashley Peace, cabinet spokesperson for children’s services, said: “The park is an outstanding new facility with the opportunity for our children and young people to participate in a variety of activities on site.
“We’ve designed the space in collaboration with them and it’s fantastic to see it open, starting with the pupils from Queen’s Road Primary School.
“This is another example of our commitment to providing activities, opportunities and experiences for all our children and young people in Barnsley through the Great Childhoods Ambition.
“Thanks to our MiCard scheme, which offers free bus travel for under 18s, and how close the park is to the interchange, they’ll be able to get there for free.
“With Base 71 also nearby, the town centre will be a hub of activity and a safe space for them to connect with their friends.”
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, added: “We’re thrilled to see the park open as we move into the spring months.
“It’s another example of how we’ve worked with the public, private and voluntary sectors to create a space which will enable local children and young people to get active, have fun, and build healthy habits for life.
“My thanks go to all of the children and young people who fed into the survey which helped us to design the park, as well as the contractors and funding partners who have made this exciting project a reality.”
