THIS is how a Trawden outdoor skate park could look if campaigners ideas are turned into a reality.
For the first time, an artist’s impression has been released to help alleviate residents fears that an extreme sports facility in the village would be a blight.
Mum-of-two Amanda Cunningham, who has lived in the area for 13 years, is fronting The Trawden Skatepark Initiative — a scheme made up of parents and children hopeful of getting an outdoor skate park built at Ball Grove Park.
Previously known as Skate In Trawden, members were originally aiming to home the facility indoors at Lodge Holme, in Skipton Road.
However, due to factors, including excessive costs, this has no longer proved feasible.
Amanda’s next step is to approach Pendle Council with detailed plans. But in the meantime she is keen to stress that the skate park, if eventually given the green light, would remain sympathetic to its surroundings.
She said: “The skate parks are pleasing to the eye. They are not grotesque, horrible structures.
“We wouldn’t want it to be an eyesore.
“We are very grateful for the things we have round here.”
This is the third proposal for a skate park in the past seven years.
And while Amanda knows that factors, such as raising an estimated £100,000 will be a challenge, she said she is also determined to see the project “through to the bitter end”. How the park would be funded is yet to be decided.
She added: “We are going to stick with it. Before, I think it has been given up on.
“We are not aiming to cause any noise or anti-social behaviour.
“There won’t be any maintenance other than sweeping up leaves, which we can get the kids involved in, and it will be locked late at night.
“It is accessible for the community in Trawden, Colne, Laneshaw Bridge, and even Keighley. People don’t have to travel into the centre of town, and it is in a nice place. It would be ideal for families, as it would be next to the play site.”
Also behind the concept of the skate park are Trawden Parish Council and Laneshaw Bridge Parish Council.
Barry Hodgson, Chairman of Trawden Parish Council, said: “Both parish councils are really up for it. It is something good for the kids.”
To join in the skate park debate visit www.facebook.com/skateparkintrawden.