Skatepark plans prompt discussion on inclusivity for girls and young women

Frome Town Council has voted to progress with building a new skatepark at Mary Baily Playing Field, following a majority vote at a recent council meeting.

However, the plans prompted a lengthy discussion among councillors and members of the public over whether they are inclusive enough for girls and young women.

At a meeting on Wednesday 27th August, councillors voted by majority to proceed with the project, which will replace the existing skatepark following a public consultation. The current facility, built 13 years ago at a cost of £34,000, is said to be ‘nearing the end of its life.’

The town council will now work with local volunteer-led group Frome Skatepark Project to develop the new skatepark, expected to cost up to £400,000. The site will be relocated closer to the children’s play park, with safety features to separate the two areas and a commitment to make the facility as accessible as possible.

Inclusivity

Susannah Walker, co-founder of Make Space for Girls, criticised the council’s skatepark plans for lacking evidence that they would be inclusive. She said the council’s claims that the skatepark would “increase the sense of belonging for all teenagers” and “defy socially constructed characteristics of women and men” are not supported by any documents.

She added that despite working with a skatepark manufacturer for over two years, usage remains “massively dominated by boys and young men”, and interventions to make skateparks more inclusive are “not working.”

‘Mistake’

Following Susannah’s presentation, Cllr Lisa Merryweather voted against the plans, saying she felt the council had ‘made a mistake’ and did not have ‘enough information,’ at present.

She said, “I am challenged by the fact that according to the research and some that I have done on my own, there doesn’t seem to be enough that holds the interest of girls. If boys use that space, that is great. I don’t think we are prepared to make this decision.

“I am desperate to support the skate park, I just don’t feel like I have the information that makes me feel comfortable making the decision. I feel we are perhaps not doing enough to support girls and women and I don’t want that to be at the cost of supporting boys and men, but I think we’ve made a mistake.”

Cllr Carla Collenette voted to abstain from the vote after questioning whether the town council has done enough research for the new skatepark project and asked whether more could be carried out.

One young girl who spoke in support of the skatepark said, “Girls can use the skatepark and I think this outdated opinion that just because they are not using it, girls don’t like it, is crazy.

“This idea that it is not supporting girls is ludicrous. I just want the council to recognise that they can do something really important that’s right for the community and I hope you make the right decision.”

Several members of the skate park community also spoke in favour of the plans.

Funding

The project is expected to take at least 18 months and cost £400,000. Frome Town Council has agreed to spend up to £45,000 on professional fundraising expertise to help secure grants and community contributions, alongside support from the council and skating community.

Councillors also agreed, in principle, to take out a Public Works Loan of up to £400,000, with the exact amount to be decided once the total project cost is confirmed and any grant funding is taken into account.

Cllr Polly Lamb said:  “As part of the steering group looking at this project I am so delighted that this project has been approved. It was clear at the meeting just how much people care about Mary Baily and the skatepark.

“The young people who spoke did so with such thoughtfulness, passion and energy – their voices reminded us all why this investment matters. There is a massive impetus behind the fundraising, and a real sense of community drive to make it happen. This will be a co-designed project, with inclusivity at its heart, and we want as many different young people involved as possible.”

Town Clerk Paul Wynne said, “Significant public engagement indicates strong support for a new skatepark. Places like Victoria Park, Mary Baily Playing Field and the Old Showfield offer a range of opportunities to people of all ages and genders and updating the skatepark is one part of that offer, just like play areas for toddlers and bowls and benches for people of all ages. We try our best to meet as many needs as possible.

“Cllrs agreed to progress the skatepark project. Once appointed, our skatepark contractors will work with the community to develop a popular design and cost it out. Once we know how much it will cost, we’ll work with the skaters and their supporters to work with us to apply for as many external grants as possible. Once these options have been exhausted and only if there is a shortfall, Cllrs agreed to take out a loan to ensure the project goes ahead.”