New skatepark opens in Wirksworth

Much to the delight of its young residents, Wirksworth has a new skatepark. The Josh Stockell Community Skatepark will officially open on Saturday 1st June. The new park replaces the wooden structure which became unsafe after 15 years of heavy use and was taken down in 2020. The replacement is concrete and will therefore be far more durable.

A dedicated group of volunteers has been working hard with local organisation, ‘NOW’ – New Opportunities Wirksworth, to bring the project to fruition. The volunteers have spent many hours running fundraising events, completing funding applications and facilitating community engagement.

The group is very grateful for the huge support from Wirksworth especially in terms of funding which has come from a wide range of groups, businesses and individuals. From ‘Knit and Natter’ to the Town Council. While the major grant came from Tarmac’s Landfill Communities Fund.

NOW worked with Derbyshire Dales District Council to extend the lease in place for the facility on Fanny Shaw’s park. A tender process took place and specialist contractors Wheelscape were appointed. Work started last year on the park

The group realised that the new park covered only part of the area used by the original. Wheelscape suggested the addition of a ‘pump track’. The group were able to quickly secure extra funding to add this to the facility

Whilst the opening of the park is a cause for celebration, this is tinged with sadness, as sadly, one of the key volunteers, Josh Stockell, passed away in February. Josh was an integral part of the skate community in Wirksworth for the last two decades. He was a carpenter and he worked tirelessly to maintain the old wooden skatepark as well as being very active in raising funds. The group, saddened by this loss, and with the support of his family, have decided to rename the skatepark “The Josh Stockell Community Skatepark.” There are plans to have a tangible reminder of Josh added to the park.

The skatepark will officially be opened on Saturday 1st June at around noon with Josh’s son Alfie cutting the ribbon. The event will include demonstrations and games. The community has been invited to join in this celebration.

Going forwards, NOW is hoping to welcome new volunteers to become ‘friends of the skatepark.’ This group will help keep the skatepark a vibrant and safe place to enjoy wheel-based activities. If anyone has time to spare and would like to help, NOW would be delighted to hear from you. Contact the group on [email protected].