Category: Skateboarding

Since their inception, Maverick Industries have made some monumental achievements for skateboarding in the UK through a simple, but hard-working modus operandi. I feel their impression on the UK is best described by stealing a tagline from an Academy Award nominated film and then re-contextualise it as thus: you don’t get to 35,000 fans on Facebook without building a few skateparks…

This is exactly what Maverick have done. Comprised of a hardworking team, Maverick keep a good eye and ear out for where skateparks are both needed and wanted and do whatever they can to not only ensure that a skatepark is built, but that it has good financial backing and that it matches or betters the increasingly high standards of contemporary concrete parks. Now, there is a flurry of excitement associated with whenever the park company post a new design online. That number isn’t a lie. Almost 35,000 are stoked on the designs, and the plan for Stanground was no exception.

As of October 2010, Stanground, Peterborough suddenly became home to a transition skater’s dream. Even if you’re not a big transition head, the unique path and flow of the park makes it the perfect place to get a nice grip on transition skateboarding. For the veterans, there’s a toothpick tombstone to try your hand on as well a large amount of lines and gaps with plenty of potential for creative eyes to find more. Definitely a tidy piece of work that’s worthy of a little trip for anyone in the UK.

For a full in-depth insight into the park we thought that there would be no better option than to talk to those involved with the building of the park, the Maverick Industries heads themselves. We spoke to Maverick Projects Director, Russ Holbert to get the official low-down on park. Read on for some knowledge…

Below: The Fresh Blood tip for 2011, Nick Remon gets stuck into the tombstone. Photo: Tom Halliday

Who made the first move to replace the existing park in Stanground with something of a high and accessible modern standard?

Rieaston Meins, a local skater has been campaigning for skateparks in the Peterborough area since the closure of the highly successful Y2SK8 indoor park.  Once Reece had raised awareness and demonstrated a need the Council got involved. The group were lucky to have a really supportive Council officer, Judith Neal.

For Stanground a group of youths got together and interviewed students to find out what potential users would want, correct? What ideas were kept on for the final design and is this approach something you’d encourage future groups petitioning for skateparks to do?

The Stanground skatepark design has been designed in conjunction with the local user group throughout the process. The group were supported by the local Youth Services team and by Peterborough Council’s Community Engagement team and local Police.  At Maverick we wouldnt think of designing a park without getting the locals fully involved with the design process, this is the best way to ensure that the skatepark is successful.

What was the total budget for this park, who provided it?

The budget for the skatepark was around £95k;  the funding came from a number of different sources.

How long did the entire process take, from the first meeting to the grand opening?

We were involved for about a year, but the plans for a skatepark go back to when Y2SK8 closed

How easy is it to get for people outside of Stanground?

It is accessible by public transport or car and there is a car park right next to the park. It seems to be a nice enough area and the locals are friendly.

Is there any obstacle here that’s a first for Maverick?

Every skatepark we design is completely bespoke this park has some interesting features such as a toothpick style tombstone, and fun skate path and interesting miniramp combo unit.

Stanground Skatepark is located at Stanground Community Centre, Whittlesey Road, PE2 8QS or you can check the map.

Watch the footage from the official opening jam below, get hyped and start planning your first trip of the spring now.

Stanground | Maverick Opening Jam from Maverick Skateparks on Vimeo.