Skaters at The Butts Recreation Ground in Sandwich are enjoying a new-look skate park after a £17,500 community-led investment to repair the equipment.

StreetSide, a group of local skaters, skateboarders and scooterists, aged 13 to 18, have been working with Dover District Council and other interested groups since October 2015 to develop plans to refurbish the site.

After consultation, Evolution Skateparks was commissioned to carry out the work, which was completed last month.

Youngsters from Deal and Ramsgate are now said to be travelling to the town to try out the new equipment which includes a quarter pipe and a fun box with a flat bank set up.

Phil Scott, chairman of The Phoenix Centre, which supported StreetSide with the project, said: “I think they’re all really impressed with it.

“It’s more fun, interesting and challenging for them.

“It’s nicely laid out with good lines and is easy to ride – much better than it was this time last year.

“Skaters are even coming over from Deal and Ramsgate because they’ve heard about it.”

StreetSide raised most of the funds with contributions from Dover District Council, Kent County Council, Sandwich
Town Council, Sandwich Toll Bridge Fund and former Sandwich resident Mark Quinn of Quinn Estates.

Mr Scott has commended the youngsters who got behind the campaign, organising and taking part in fundraisers such as bag-packing in supermarkets, cooking for members of The Rotary Club of Sandwich and non-school uniform days at Sandwich Technology School.

He said: “Jack Beadle, Charlie Potter, Olly Mount, Keeley and Kira Green-Benson and Molly Purvis were the core group of six who did an amazing job.”

Roger Walton, director of environment and corporate assets at Dover District Council, said: “We are delighted to see the launch of this new-look skate park.

“We would like to say a big thank-you to StreetSide for their hard work on this exciting project.”