Youngsters invited to help design skate and BMX park in Preston Park

The design session has been organised by Stockton Borough Council to ensure that the people who are going to be using the £250,000 facility play a key part in its development at Preston Park.

The money for the project is coming from the council and Sport England through its Inspired Facilities Fund, a London 2012 legacy.

As part of the planning for the new sports area a design session, SK8 and R1DE @ Preston Park is planned for Wednesday, April 10 from noon to 3pm at Preston Park Museum and Grounds, near Eaglescliffe.

The session will give young people, their parents and local residents an opportunity to give their views on what would make an ideal skateboard and BMX park, while retaining the atmosphere of museum and its grounds.

Councillor Ken Dixon, cabinet member for arts, culture and leisure, said: “This will be a fantastic addition to the Preston Park attraction and I urge everyone to go along and help make the skate and BMX track as innovative and challenging as possible.

“We are investing this substantial amount of funding with the aim of attracting young people from all over the region, who will want to try the range of special features we have planned, in a great location.”

The consultation and design session will be an opportunity to discuss the layout of the new park and what features would be ideal to include in it. There will also be activities for everyone including competitions, prizes, displays and the chance to have a go on a Pump Track and Ramps.

The Preston Park BMX and skateboard track will include jumps, street furniture, a plaza-type facility, rollovers, spines, jump boxes, quarter pipes and grinding rails. It is due to built and completed by Spring 2014.

Anyone unable to attend the event but would like to know more about it or has ideas on the design of the track can contact Stockton Council’s Countryside and Green Space Team on 01642-526876. There is also information on prestonparkmuseum.co.uk