Mayor to officially open skate park

The skate park, which has been years in the planning, is to open to the public on Saturday May 28, with the Mayor of Harrogate, Coun Les Ellington, cutting the ribbon. Local enthusiasts will provide a demonstration.

Part of the new skate park, which is near the play area behind the tennis courts and open to all non-motorised vehicles, is based on the wall outside the Harrogate International Centre which was regularly used by skateboarders in the past.

Coun Caroline Bayliss, Harrogate Council cabinet member for cultural services, said: “Officers and councillors have been very impressed with the support and understanding shown by those young people who so desperately wanted a local facility but understood all the issues surrounding it.

“They were frustrated but never put off and I am pleased that we could involve them so much in the design.

“Over the years, many people said skateboarding and BMX-ing were just a fad but demand and interest continues to grow.”