SKATE PARK RESEARCH CONDUCTED DURING SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 2017

RESEARCH FINDINGS NOV 2017

MESSAGE FROM RESEARCH TEAM

The research was conducted over a 7 week period by Paul Oxborough an experienced community development and youth work researcher and Angela Parry Chairperson of Holmewood and Heath Healthy Futures Group. The sample included parents and young people who were attending one of the seven events provided by the Extreme Wheels youth work programme. These events ran from to 12th September - 24th October, 2017. The events ran for 2 hours every Tuesday evening between 6-8pm and the average number of parents and young people attending was 55.

There were two methods of capturing data the first was speaking two people directly and asking them to fill out a survey using the supplied iPads. the second was to encourage them to go online to complete the survey, this was shared via the Holmewood and Healthy Healthy Futures Facebook group.

There were two versions of the survey one aimed at over 18’s and parents, the second aimed at under 18 young people. 46% of the final respondents completed the survey via the Facebook group and 56% of respondents we spoke to directly and completed the survey with them.

Final sample group once spoilt forms had been removed was:

Parent’s and over 18’s = 96

Young people under 18 = 85

The followed report shares the findings and outcomes of this sample.

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Research team consisted of Paul Oxborough and Angela Parry

OVER 18’S & PARENTS

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FINDINGS

Other comments:

• Searston Avenue Park

• Needs to be somewhere visible

• Both areas

• On garages site - Shakespeare Avenue

Key findings from the OVER 18’s / ADULTS research:

1. Only one person in the sample group captured said they did not want a skate park building

2. Parents and adults are overwhelmingly in favour of a skate park in the area

3. 80% of the sample question would like to see it next to the MUGA sports area in Central Holmewood

4. Only 15% of the sample said they would not be prepared to get involved in making this happen for the young people, nearly 60% of the sample would actively volunteer their time to make this happen

5. The sample covered people between the ages of 18 - 79 years.

6. The park would need to be built to cater for bikes, scooters and skate boards but would also need seating areas as young people see it as a central place to meet their friends and would like this to be recognised.

7. 100% of the survey would be happy for the children or family members to use a facility of this nature if it was located in Holmewood.

Other Comments

• I don't live in holmewood anymore but my parents do and they have my children quite often they are always wanting something to do and my son loves skateparks this would be ideal for him to use when he stays over

• So would be ideal if a skate park in the area my son is 11 and travels every day to north Wingfield now the nights are drawing in. Just isn't safe for him to do this but don't really want him stuck in front of a games console all the time either

• The kids of holmewood have to go down Wingfield to use there's. Building a skate park here in holmewood would be brilliant at least knowing where your children are and that they are safe in there own village.

• I have 2 boys one aged 12 who has to travel to North Wingfield skate park everyday. It would be a lot safer if there was one built in holmewood especially in the winter months , there's at least 10-15 of them that go down everyday together. I also have a 8 year old that would love to have something like this close to home.

RESEARCH ANALYSIS

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• We live on a main road and play is something my son can't do much off other than on our garden. It's close for us to take him when he needs some time with friends. Also when he is older it will keep them away from the streets, keep my son doing some exercise and I'll know where he is if I ever need him (or he's late home)

• Big need fir something around here to get the kids doing constructive activities outdoors will be brilliant

• It would help the local children a great deal to have somewhere to go and have something to do.

• I believe children need an area to meet their friends to play and learn new skills. They help each other and encourage one another which builds relationships within the community. Parents would feel comfortable knowing the children have somewhere safe to go and do something that they will get something out of.

• I think it will be nice to have a skate park here for kids

• Get it built by a proper skatepark building company not a play area company. This will ensure the best results and better retention of riders as the skatepark will ride better.

• There's nothing round here for the kids this is a good idea

• Would try to have park with cctv

• Lots of children & young people in this area who would benefit from somewhere to 'hang out' with friends outdoors. Keeping the facilities together (next to Muga) will help keep them safe as they will be more people around

• A skatepark local would mean that children don't have to travel too far to go to other skateparks along main roads or five pit trails etc

• Holmewood and heath children need this they travel to other villages daily to use these skatepark it would be nice for them to have in there own village

• This would be a very welcome addition to the village and a much needed place for scooter fanatics to use and enjoy

• Goodluck

UNDER 18’S RESEARCH

FINDINGS

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Key findings from the YOUNG PEOPLE’S under 18 research:

1. three quarters of those surveyed were males and this fits a national profile of parks attracting more teenage males then female.

2. A wide cross section of age greats completed the survey and there results helped paint an overwhelming picture that 98% of people would like to see a skate park and it should be located next to the multi use games area behind the library.

3. When asked how much you would use this facility 62% said everyday with a further 33% saying 2-5 times a week. Based on the numbers attending the Extreme Wheels sessions we believe this facility would attract large numbers of young people from Holmewood and Heath.

4. If designed correctly the park could also gain a reputation from young people from outside the area who would travel to use it. This would have a knock on effect of potentially adding more custom to the local shops

5. Scooters and bikes are clearly what the park needs to be designed for so it is recommended to be built with a concrete construction. Nearly half the sample see it as a place to meet friends so thought needs to be given to seating and litter bins

6. 94% of the sample group shared they may be willing to get more involved with the design and looking after the facility

Other Comments

• I wish we had a skatepark so I was able to get out and play safely and learn new things. Exercise is very important for children

• Please give us a skate park

• Please Help us get one

• We would love a skate park, as there is a lack of safe and suitable areas for myself and friends to go and express ourselves, and learn new skills

• Make bigger fly out landing

• It would make all kids in Holmewood happy

• Put a rezzy on there

• It needs to be like Grassmoors

RESEARCH ANALYSIS

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As part of conducting this research we have met parents, fellow Parish Councillors, other agencies providing services in the area and young people. The common theme that is emerging through discussion with all parties is there is very few outdoor facilities for young people to go and relax together in Holmewood. Having a facility of this nature with encourage physical activity and also create a meeting place for young people. There is overwhelming support for this skate park to be developed in Central Holmewood.

More thought needs to be given during the planning phase to ensure this space remains a safe one and a space accessible for all ages groups. Such thinking might include seating areas and working CCTV to reduce anti-social behaviour from minority elements in the community and assist in dealing with any issues.

There is a lot of good will and interest from all age groups to help with fundraising, planning and general looking after the facility once it is built and we believe the more this can be encouraged the more ownership of the facility will be generated leading to less vandalism and greater sustainability.

The next challenge is how to keep the energy and momentum of the community going, we have had interest to setup a parents focus group, a skate park planning group and ideas on how to fundraise. We believe with a little more financial investment from the Parish Council all of these groups can be facilitated and run in the new year. Both myself and Angela will continue to support this and work closely with other agencies to make the above groups happen, therefore strengthening our grant application.

The next step we will need to agree as a Parish Council is whether we can make the park a reality and this will need a dedicated sub group to be established to take it to the next level. Having explored funding options we do qualify as a community for Viridor Credits (www.viridor-credits.co.uk) which will fund the majority of the costs of the park if successful. Both Angela and myself believe the village will benefit in reduced vandalism due to boredom and greater respect from the young people who are seeing the Parish Council directly investing in them. This could be the catalyst for many other positive inter generational community projects.

Over to you for moving this to the next level

Paul Oxborough

RESEARCH CONCLUSION

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As active community members and Parish Councillors both Angela Parry and Paul Oxborough got involved in this research programme following an incident where Paul met a group of 15-18 year olds pulling apart a fence on the 5 Pits trail. When Paul challenged them and asked what it is they doing and why it emerged they wanted wood to build a ramp, as there was no where in the village for them to skateboard. After further discussion they talked about the need for somewhere to meet and chill with their friends outdoors, they also said they had been promised a skate park that never happened. Paul shared he would take this back to the Parish council and speak to Angela from the Holmewood and Heath Healthy Futures group and try to help explore whether a skate park could become a reality.

Since September both Angela and Paul have given over 40 hours each to support the gathering of this research and hear the views of young people. Many of the discussions during this time have identified the geographic isolation these young people face in their lives. They don’t travel much out of the village, they are bored, they have low self esteem and confidence and tend to have a pack mentality when together, ‘egging’ each other on to push the boundaries around what is acceptable behaviour. Yet at times they can hold intelligent and meaningful conversations, come up with creative ideas and be sensitive to wider problems their friends are facing.

Our challenge as a Parish Council is how we keep these 50+ young people engaged whilst we find the funding and go through the long process of getting a park built. As we approach the winter months there are less young people out on the streets but come spring time there will need to be opportunities available to re-engage this group to stop the petty vandalism that takes place when they become bored. So whilst the Parish Council work on getting the planning and resources in place for a skate park Holmewood & Heath Healthy Futures work to engage the young people in some further youth work, how this is funded is yet to be identified.

Following a meeting with Extreme Wheels manager Jonathan Tipton on 7th November, Angela and Paul explored a programme which could build on the 7 weeks of work and re-engage the young people into the next phase of developing a skate park. This would involve a number of visits to other parks to explore designs and ideas and also the potential to run a young leadership programme for the most active members. The team believe this could be funded by a Lottery Awards for All grant application through Holmewood and Heath Healthy Partnership Group in Partnership with Extreme Wheels. the visits out would be a good time to build on this research by videoing young people and parents ideas for better provision in the area.

If we are to go down this route we need to be certain that all partners including the Parish Council are committed to the building of a skate park as identified by the community of Heath & Holmewood. There is a lot of good will and it is very important people’s expectation are not raised on a project that will not happen due to lack of inter agency support.

BACKGROUND NOTES

www.heathandholmewood-pc.gov.uk

The Pavillion, Heath Road Holmewood, Chesterfield

Derbyshire S42 5RB

Tel: 01246 857261