| Humberstone Skate Park | The new skate park was built by Blakedown Sport and Play.
It was designed by Munro and Whitten Ltd, after consultation with the local community.
To date we know of five other major skate parks in Leicestershire: in Ashby de la Zouch, Loughborough, Wigston, Oadby and in Leicester on Thames Street. |
The people of Leicester saw the fruits of their labours on Saturday 20 November when the city's newest skate park was formally opened. Here's what you thought... Philip Crossley, 40, BMXer, Leicester  | | Philip Crossley - BMXer |
"It's great we now have somewhere to go rather than being told to slung off from somewhere we're not supposed to go and ride.
We can make some good lines and try different rides here. I'll now start my ride here every Sunday's!" Ellis, 8, Skateboarder, Kibworth  | | Ellis' skateboard |
"This one's a bigger park than some of the others, but it gets quite cramped cos of the BMXer's!
In the summer the concrete will give us more speed when we're going down the ramp and it gives us more grip when we're turning - but in the winter I would go to The Edge Skate Park cos it's indoors.
I like skateborading cos it's fun and I can chill out! Lee White, 37, Wigston
(Parent of a skateboarder)  | | Lee White - Parent of a skateboarder |
"It's a fantastic park, but I think it's been launched at the wrong time of year - you'll be able to snowboard here soon!
I think it's too clean and the kids need to make it their own - personalise it, get some paint out - show it's been lived in!
Give it another six to 12 months before the kids can really enjoy it!" Max Jones, 16 & Ben Philips, 16, Skateboarder's, Leicester  | | Max Jones - Skateboarder |
"Me and Ben petitioned for the skate park with other people and helped design it.
You can use the park in different ways so you would never run out of ideas and tricks.
But they should have opened the park in the summer more people would use it then!"  | | Ben Philips - Skateboarder |
Ben: "One of my favourite parts of the skate park is the 'Bowl' cos other parks don't have one.
Our petitioned worked and I will come here everyday... in the summer anyway! Matt Newbrooks, 16, BMXer, East Goscote  | | Matt Newbrooks - BMXer |
"I only found out about the place from my mates at The Edge. There aren't many places we can ride without being told to move.
My favourite trick is 'Turn Down Air' - that's when I turn the front wheel around my leg in the air.
I will use this park hours on end!" The Project The £142,000 project was started after local parents and their children petitioned the City Council for a place to indulge their extreme passion.
We don't know if you'll be more impressed by the fact that the The Edge skate demonstration team spent two hours showing off their skills and encouraging wannabe skaters. Or by the fact that the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councilor John Mugglestone, officially opened the park - complete with bejewelled mayoral chain, and everything. | "The Humberstone skate park is a triumph for those young people and parents who sowed the seed of this successful project." | | Bakim Dayaram - Project Manager |
Bakim Dayaram has looked after the project for Leicester City Council. He said, "The Humberstone skate park is a triumph for those young people and parents who sowed the seed of this successful project. Thanks to the support of SRB6 and the input of the local community through the project steering group, this new outdoor facility will finally be open to the public and bring a lively and dynamic new activity to the park".
[Jargon buster. SRB6 is: A pot of £7.8 million that the Government earmarked to be spent in Humberstone by 31 March 2007, to tackle some of the most pressing problems.] | 
