Freshwater Parish Council Chair, Frances Turan, has personally donated £500 to support the Freshwater Skatepark and Pump Track project, giving a boost to the long-awaited community initiative.
The donation helps push the project closer to its fundraising target, with over £224,000 already secured through Parish Council backing, community events, business sponsorship and grant funding. Planning permission for the facility was granted in 2024.
Frances Turan, Chair of Freshwater Parish Council, has said:
“This project is about more than ramps and rails.
“It’s about safeguarding Freshwater’s legacy as a hub for skate culture, giving young people a safe space to be active, and strengthening our community spirit. I’m proud to support it and hope this donation inspires others to get involved.”
The new facility will be the first of its kind on the Isle of Wight, combining a modern, inclusive skatepark with a purpose-built pump track suitable for skateboards, scooters, BMX, rollerblades and wheelchairs. It builds on Freshwater’s skateboarding heritage, which dates back to 1978 when Golden Hill Fort hosted one of the UK’s earliest concrete skateparks.
The campaign has been driven by strong community involvement over the past four years, including school challenges, skate jams, surf club fundraisers, and upcoming events such as the Art on Decks auction – a fundraiser where local artists transform blank skateboard decks into artwork for exhibition and sale.
The project team is now calling on local residents and businesses to help close the final fundraising gap.
Supporters can donate via the project’s GoFundMe page. Organisers say every contribution, large or small, will help deliver a lasting, inclusive space for all.
my mates and I grew up living out of that skate park the muga also, some of the best memories were made there or planned there. Absolutely needs to kept alive kids today don’t know what they’re missing out on