World's first multi-storey skatepark has opened in the UK

Virgin Radio

22 Mar 2022, 14:26

This is the stuff dreams are made of for skateboarders.

A triple-decker dedicated skatepark has opened in Folkestone.

Called F51, the new development cost an impressive £17m.

Dubbed an "adrenaline building", the development has three levels for skaters, as well as one of the taller indoor climbing walls in the UK.

There is also a boxing gym and cafe.

You don't have to be an expert skater so don't feel too intimidated to try.

The three different levels cater to all ages and abilities.

There is everything from shallow ramps for beginners to deep concrete bowls.

On the top floor there is a flow park, with skaters, scooters and BMXers in mind.

There are mounds (a.k.a “pump bumps”) and volcanoes, and a “vert” ramp to give skaters height.

The middle floor has plenty of steps, rails and ledges to slide and grind across.

They are all made of plywood so things can be changed and updated.

The first floor has a bowl park made of concrete.

“We wanted to emulate the origins of bowl-skating in Dogtown,” architect Guy Hollaway told the Guardian.

“It’s a legit pool that will challenge even the most expert of riders,” says Borden.

Work started back in 2015, but was hampered by technical difficulties and Covid.

Sales of skateboards rose by more than 30% last year.

Dan Hulme is from the Sports Trust: “We’re keen to counter the idea that if you don’t play team sports you’re not sporty. It provides a pathway into so many different areas,” he says.

It won't cost the earth either, with F51 offering a £1 monthly after-school membership to local kids.

“Skateparks are so often in dingy out-of-town locations,” says Hollaway. “We wanted this to be a beacon right in the centre, saying to young people, ‘You’re the most important customer in town – because you are the future.’”

“We were originally asked to design a multistorey car park,” adds Guy.

"But when a nearby skatepark had to be relocated we were asked to incorporate it into the design. The client increasingly thought the cars looked boring, so we got rid of them and made the world’s first multistorey skatepark instead."

Get your skates on!