New skatepark and outdoor gym now open following official launch

03/05/2024

Skateboarders, shredders and bmx’ers in Gretton, North Northants now have a new skatepark and outdoor gym thanks to a £100,000 grant from FCC Communities Foundation, and additional fundraising efforts by the young people of the village.

The village celebrated with an official ceremony with special guests and the young people of the village to help cut the red ribbon. There has been a joint effort with volunteers across the village fundraising and giving their time to help install a brand new skatepark and outdoor gym equipment at the Gretton Recreation Ground in Gretton, Northamptonshire.

The new facility is officially up and running following a launch party attended by the young people of Gretton and the Friends of Gretton Recreation Group. Special guests included village resident UK Top BMX rider Millie Brook, with international Shredder Jay Sweet, together with the young people of the village, who all helped campaign and fundraise for the skatepark and outdoor gym.

The new skate park and outdoor gym was built by the local skatepark firm Boardroom, and play equipment specialists Proludic who are based in the Midlands. The new facility was funded by a £100,000 grant from FCC Communities Foundation, and was further supported with small grants from the UK Shared Prosperity Funding via the North Northants Community Fund, the Gretton Parish Council, Arnold Clark Community Fund, and fundraising efforts by the young people in the village.

Tim Fox, Chair of the Friends of Gretton Recreation Ground, is delighted that the project is now in use. He says: “This vital facility is going to make a real difference to those who use it, as well as the wider Gretton community. We are extremely grateful to FCC Communities Foundation for providing funding as we would not have been able to go ahead without its support.”

Cheryl Raynor, Grant Manager at FCC Communities Foundation said “We are delighted to have supported the Parish Council in bringing this project to fruition, and it’s great to see the facility officially open. We hope the local community have hours of fun for many years to come and perhaps the skatepark may even inspire the next Olympic champion!”

Photos credited to Pete Mason Photography and used with permission.