New £250k Maverick skate park opens at St Mary's Recreation Ground in Swanley

A slick new skate park has been hailed a "better ride for everyone" at its official unveiling.

Youngsters will now be able to grind and ollie to their hearts' content at the new-look facility at St Mary's Recreation Ground in Swanley.

The new skate park, which has been designed for inline skaters, BMX and scooter riders, as well as skateboarders, was opened for use earlier today.

It includes all manner of quarter-pipes, hips and rails and even a mini-ramp for less experienced riders.

The skate park cost £250,000 to build and was funded through a mix of grants and £30,000 generated from council community infrastructure levy contributions.

It has been designed by specialists Maverick Skate Parks with plans in the future to host regular competitions and inclusive events such as a female-only skating day.

The idea for a new park was made after an online petition to replace the tired old rusty ramps reached hundreds of signatures.

Shortly afterwards, Swanley Town Council organised an artwork design project which attracted the attention of former BBC Apprentice contestant JD O'Brien, now living near Tonbridge.

Prior to the pandemic, the dad-of-three set up Concrete Wave, a community interest company, with a view to overhauling the park.

JD started a grassroots crowdfunder campaign to source funds to deliver the project and, despite setbacks, ground away with the support of others to get it over the line.

In October last year, he secured £150,000 in National Lottery funding, with the town council applying successfully for various grants to support his bid.

Speaking at the opening, JD said: "It's amazing. Since the beginning of 2020 I said I'd do it in six months – it's taken two years and six months.

"So to finally get it done for Swanley and the local skaters is brilliant.

Despite numerous delays and obstacles along the way the former entrepreneur says it was a "real team effort" and hopes the project can deliver for the community.

He added: "It's been a long arduous journey with Covid and everything else but we've done and it looks amazing.

"It's just a better surface to skate, it's smoother, it's quieter. It's just a better ride for everyone so I think it will be brilliant, lots of good times ahead."

"Hopefully the council, the community, the schools, the businesses will pull together and make it an amazing place."

After opening the new skate park, Cllr Lesley Dyball, Sevenoaks council member for people and places, said: “This new facility is fantastic.

"I am certain it will be enjoyed for generations to come and my thanks goes to all those who helped make this possible”.

Swanley Town chief executive Ryan Hayman added: “We did it! It took a lot of hard work but through everybody's can-do attitude we managed to get it built.

"A big thank you to JD who has really driven this project, as have the end-users who I know will love this amazing new park”.

The facility is now open to use with a grand opening due to take place on April 15.