Young people and parks

Many of the boroughs parks have now had equipment installed designed to attract and encourage young people to responsibly use Parks and Open Spaces and to feed their imagination at the same time.

We Aim to:

• provide a range of facilities for park users
• trial Youth Shelters and Fit Points in Parks and Open Spaces for the 12 to 16 years age group.
• promote health and well being to young people and their peers by enabling individuals and small groups to exercise.

Equipment

Youth shelters

A cosy place to be together; to read a book, just be alone for a while, a place to hang out with friends during school breaks or after school.The shelter is designed to provide cover from bad weather while at the same time ensuring maximum visibility into the shelter and leaning benches.

Youth shelters can create a sense of ownership for young people in their local park and develop pride and involvement in the local neighbourhood.  Including young people in the siting procedure can ensure a smooth introduction of such equipment.  Youth Shelters can compliment an existing sports facility by providing a place for young people to sit and socialise.

Fit points

A stimulating unit designed for both young and old to test their strength and exercise their bodies. The unit comprises of a rowing machine, twisting, bench lift, push-up, pull-up and step-up.

Skate Park at Kings Field

Building work on a brand new skate park at Kings Field park in Hampton Wick has been completed and the site was officially opened on Saturday 14 May. Skaters, BMX riders and inline skaters worked with the Council and Richmond Youth Partnership to plan what type of ramps and jumps they wanted. Richmond Council and Richmond Youth Partnership secured the funding for the site, to replace outdated equipment.

The facility provides a place for skaters, BMX riders, inline skaters and scooters of all ages and abilities. The ambitious design combines small rollers, a large jump-box, multi-level bowl, spine ramp and a technical street course. The interlinked sections can be ridden by different groups simultaneously whilst the central area provides a common space for the riders to socialise. Ridden all at once, as a complete circuit, the park gives a unique combination of freeform concrete terrain. The decision to use concrete means the ramps, rails and bowls will absorb noise, be hard wearing and long lasting.

A new access pass system will be launched ready for use from 1 July 2011.