How the new skatepark could look if the project goes ahead

CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating victory after a deal was struck to start work to revamp a skatepark by next year.

After a hard-fought battle, the Friends of Finsbury Park (FOFP) group has convinced council chiefs that its skatepark should be remodelled.

It now has a guarantee in writing from Haringey Council, which manages the green space on the borders of three boroughs including Islington, that works will start by spring “subject to funding”.

“It feels great, and it’s been about three years in the making,” said Beth Anderson, the co-chair of FOFP who has led the campaign.

She added: “They’ve used the phrase ‘subject to funding’ and that does give them a get-out clause. But the five-year deal the council has signed [to hold large-scale events in the park] – we were told they signed that so they could shore up funding for the next three to five years.

“So, we want this skatepark to be delivered, and have it completed within the next three to four years. And we’ve asked that during the second phase [of the renovation] we get proper lighting for the skatepark to keep it safe.” She added: “If they just don’t want groups of teenage boys using that space then it has to be safe and well lit.”

Ms Anderson managed to raise more than £50,000 with a campaign last year but money from the council is needed to break even.

Beth Anderson of the Friends of Finsbury Park

A consultation on the design for the skatepark has now opened. The current skatepark is small with just two bowls for skating on. The group want to create a full “plaza” with a “smooth, polished concrete surface. That will have some permanent ledges around the edges, and moveable, skatable objects.”

Ms Anderson said the skateable objects have to be moveable because the skatepark is often used for things like lorry parking and toilets during the large events in the park.

“We’re against the skatepark being used as part of the big events, and we’ll be asking that all future contracts for events do not include the use of the skatepark,” said Ms Anderson.

“It’s been a rubbley wasteland for 20 years. It’s got big cracks and holes in it from parking. The improve­ment of that space and bringing it back into public space will be great,” she said.

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “We have been pleased to be able to fulfil the request of the Friends of Finsbury Park to work together with them to transform the Finsbury Park Skatepark, investing £145k into this project from the proceeds of our major events programme. This is a great example of the benefits events bring for park users.

“One of the two designs would see part of the improved skatepark close while major events are taking place in the park. This was made clear to the Friends of Finsbury Park from the outset of this project.

“As is clearly set out in the Memorandum of Understanding, if this design option is taken forward we will review arrangements after one year to see if it is possible to exclude the skate­park extension from the footprint of future events.”