£500,000 expansion unveiled at Hereford Skate Park

The fourth phase of the park off Holmer Road was unveiled last Saturday (January 20).

Part of the Stronger Hereford programme of 15 projects receiving government funding to improve the city, the £500,000 expansion has extended the park by over 50 per cent. 

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Up to 28,000 people are reported to use the park every year. 

"This is a project that has been going on since 2004 so it's quite nice on the 20th anniversary to open the fourth phase of Hereford Skate Park," said Charlie Arthur, who chairs Wheeled Sports 4 Hereford, the charity that runs the free-access park.

"This particular phase was all about the Stronger Towns Fund and getting involved in that three-and-a-half years ago.

Eden Baxendale, Archie Jones, Edward Wheeler, James Bullar and Harry Jordan at Hereford Skate Park (Image: Paul Rogers/Hereford Times)

"We saw the potential of a major expansion - kids have been crying out for it for years. It's been at capacity for a long time. 

"In the summer, we're getting over 100 people on a busy day. It's used every single day, even through the autumn and winter.

Many people turned out to see the unveiling of Hereford Skate Park's expansion (Image: Paul)

"It's a second home for a lot of youngsters in Hereford. There may be a lot of teenagers that may not fit into more conventional team sports - they find a way to be able to exercise and socialise."

Brian Stephens, who was one of the founders of the park, said he was delighted with its progress.

"There is a joy in seeing something realised that you started," he said. 

The expanded area at Hereford Skate Park (Image: Paul Rogers/Hereford Times)We really wanted to get the kids off dangerous places like the bus station. My son was a skateboarder, which is partly why I got involved.

""We made a start and built in phases. They put us in with the cycle track because they wanted a project that was worth more than £1 million. It's amazing."

Chris Norton, of Tails and Wales Dog Photography, captured many people enjoying the park last Saturday. Below is some of his pictures.