A new skatepark, pump track and roller area on Hove seafront is now open.
The wheeled sports area is at the western end of the new Hove Beach Park, next to Hove Lagoon.
The skate plaza includes banks, kerbs, ledges, kickers, transitions, manny pads, rails and boxes. The pump track is 150m long and the roller area is 600sqm.
Councillor Julie Cattell, lead member for Major Projects, said: “As a skater myself, I share the excitement of the skating, skateboarding and BMX communities in the opening of these superb new facilities. We have worked with those communities to make sure we deliver what’s most important to them in the park, and the results looks great.
“In 2022 we asked residents for their views on the use of the space. More than 2,700 people gave their feedback and the top three facilities were a skatepark, pump track and roller area, so I’m delighted that these are the first to open.
“It is really exciting to see Hove Beach Park taking shape. It will bring a wide range of new and improved leisure facilities to the seafront.
“Predominantly funded by the UK Government, Hove Beach Park is a key part of our plans to improve leisure facilities across the city for health and wellbeing.”
These different elements have been created with input and testing by charities including Sustrans, as well as local bodies including Morvelo and Brighton and Hove Skateparks Association, and others from Brighton’s skate and skateboarding communities.
Each element has been designed with users of all ages and abilities in mind to make sure it’s one of the most accessible sports parks in the city. The roller area is designed for anyone who prefers rollerblading or skating to skateboarding.
Lighting in the park, which will feature anti-spill hoods so the light won’t shine beyond the edge of sports areas, will be operational later in the year and will operate 8am-10pm. The lights will be activated by motion sensors, so they are only on when the park is in use.
Some landscaped areas will remain fenced off for a few months to protect the planting until it’s more established.
The existing skatepark at Hove Lagoon will now close and the ramps will be removed from Monday, 16 September. Once clear, this site will be used to house the children’s rides and amusements that are currently on the grass. This will create a wider green space for visitors to enjoy.
In addition to the new Hove Beach Park facility, other skateparks across the city include those at the Level and Brighton Youth Centre (currently closed for redevelopment), as well as in Hollingdean, Woodingdean and Saltdean.
The completion and opening of other areas of Hove Beach Park will be on a phased basis during the second half of this year and spring 2025, when the park will be formally opened.
Could I just give a massive shout out to Ricardo (you know who you are) and the skatepark association, local celebs who got this.
I hope you will all fight for the Whitehawk and East Brighton community to get the facilities the community have been asking over 6 years for now.
Still stuck in consultation phase due to a few negative voices trying to stop their own community having facilities. It’s quite unreal .
A skate park and bump track cater to a narrow demographic of mainly males between 10 and 30. Of course there may be one 80 year old grandmother
But it seems to be the only thing anyone can think off and if you ask the public the enthusiasts will get in touch.
A big flat bit if AstroTurf or grass would be used by a lot more people of different ages but I don’t think councillors would come along to open it
Hove lawns amply provides a “big flat bit of grass”.
If you go a little further in the other direction to the Cheese Hut, you could also find something to go with your whine.
Can’t wait for all the graffiti
Its the wrong location for a skate and bmx park which will soon be covered in grafitti and looking scruffy – due to the impact of it’s intended use. Seafront should be parks and gardens rividing facilities for all and something like this should be on wasteland/brownfield sites away from the seafront which are less visible and prestigious. Pandering to groups of kids with niche interests will just make the area feel out of bounds to everyone else and even further diminish the city’s aesthetic and tourist appeal.
I know the people who are involved in this and the skating community filled with all ages, genders and archetypes. I salute all of you; as for the bitter people above, I truly hope one day you find happiness because at this stage you no longer make me angry, I am just absolutely horrified out how empty your lives must be.
I went down to the skate park yesterday. It was crazy busy but a happy and relaxing vibe catering for a massive range in demographic. Adults and pros supporting young beginners with enthusiasm and car. This is what community is all about. How great to have a space like this which was making so many people happy and providing a free facility to use in central location. Loved it
And still the skateboarders will be going down the pavements and our roads!
…honestly. it is the kids who don’t skate you need to be worried about. Not the ones who have shown resilience, patience, skill and an impeccable sense of balance and who are part of what is generally a very supportive community.
But, you do you. No worries. Just watch out for those toddlers on scooters, distracted mums with prams, drunk invalid carriage drivers etc. all of whom create a much more hazardous pavement environment than the odd skater.
A very positive thing for the community. Great work.
This is absolutely brilliant. What a fabulous development.
At last, some good news.
Imagine if some skateboarding events were played out here, this got developed further, and became a major centre for the sport, whilst also always being open for everyone.
We need lights on here! It’s 6pm.. lots of people… half term…and lights off.