Transforming lives through accessible, high‑quality wheeled sports facilities
Registered Charity Number: 1219165
New Street Recreation Ground · Summer 2027
Three 13-year-olds asked the Town Council for a skatepark. The town said yes. Planning is approved, the design is agreed and the builder is appointed. Now we need to finish the fundraising.
What Chipping Norton told us
Source: Chipping Norton Community Skatepark User Group petition (summer 2024) and survey (winter 2024).
Chipping Norton has more than 7,000 residents and keeps growing, yet it has no public playing fields, no public tennis courts and no skatepark. Families drive to Charlbury, Carterton, Banbury or Oxford just so their kids can skate.
A free, local skatepark changes that. No membership fee, no lift needed, open to every age and ability on a skateboard, scooter, BMX or skates.
“It would be amazing to have a skatepark in our town as there is very little to do for kids. We have no free playing fields or tennis courts and have to pay to join clubs or use the leisure centre.”
Joe, Chipping Norton resident
About Us
A couple of years ago, three 13-year-old boys stood up in front of Chipping Norton Town Council and presented their vision for a local skatepark. Everything since has grown from that.
Inspired by their enthusiasm, the then Town Clerk Luci Ashbourne rallied support. Parents and young people formed the Community Skatepark User Group, and with the Town Council ran two pop-up skateparks at New Street Recreation Ground. Both drew a big turnout.
Parents from that group went on to form the Chipping Norton Skatepark Trust to lead fundraising and community engagement. On 7 August 2026 the Charity Commission confirmed our charitable status (registered charity number 1219165), and we are now registered with HMRC for Gift Aid.
Maverick Industries has been awarded the tender to build the park, and West Oxfordshire District Council has issued a certificate of lawful use or development for the site.
“We regularly take it in turns to drive our children and their friends to the nearest decent skatepark in Charlbury, Carterton, Banbury or Oxford.”
Nick Jones, Chipping Norton resident
Our vision
To create and sustain an inspiring, inclusive skatepark in Chipping Norton: a thriving hub for physical activity, mental wellbeing, creativity and connection, where young people and adults of all backgrounds come together, now and for generations to come.
Our mission
To transform lives through accessible, high-quality wheeled sports facilities. We raise funds, secure grants and build partnerships with Chipping Norton Town Council, Maverick Industries and local businesses to deliver a world-class skatepark at New Street Recreation Ground. We particularly support young people and anyone facing challenges because of age, financial hardship or social disadvantage. We aim to:
Married to Lynsey and dad to three boys, one of whom is a keen skateboarder who helped present the skatepark idea to the Town Council. After 30 years in food and drink manufacturing, Nick leads community engagement, fundraising and the partnership with the Town Council and Maverick Industries.
A retired midwife and birth educator who has lived in Chipping Norton for 24 years. As the parent of an autistic son who skates, Emma has seen first-hand how skateboarding supports emotional regulation, confidence and friendship, and she champions the park's value for neurodivergent people.
A serving RAF pilot and father of three. James has seen the confidence and independence skating gives his autistic son, and believes a local park offers young people a healthy alternative to screens, especially those who don't thrive in traditional team sports.
Born and bred in Chipping Norton, a skateboarder himself and dad to two young skaters. Mark will work with local families to make the best use of the park once built, including coaching for all ages and abilities and sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Park
Designed by Maverick Industries with the Community Skatepark User Group, shaped by 573 survey responses, and built for skateboards, scooters, BMX and skates.
A bowl and transition area on one side and a street section on the other, so beginners and experienced riders can share the space. Quarterpipes range from 600mm for first drop-ins up to 1800mm for confident riders.
| Feature | Height |
|---|---|
| Quarterpipes, including hip and hipped | 600–1800mm |
| Mini ramp / bowl | 1200mm |
| Corner and quarterpipe extensions | 1200–1800mm |
| Flatbanks | 600–1200mm |
| Jumpbox | 1200mm |
| Ledges | 400–800mm |
| Round rail | 350–450mm |
| Driveway | 400mm |
| Inset manual pad | 300mm |
| Seating, safety sign, litter bins, link paths | n/a |
Our 17-question survey covered interest, frequency of use, location, age, preferred wheeled sport, ability, design, coaching, and disability and accessibility. Two design meetings with Maverick Industries made sure the park works for every age, ability and wheeled sport, including people with disabilities.
Chipping Norton sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The park follows the slope of New Street Recreation Ground, away from homes but visible from the road so it feels safe. New paths, rolling landscaped banks, planting and benches help it blend in.
Over 60% of survey respondents already take part in a wheeled sport. More than one answer was allowed.
Source: Chipping Norton Community Skatepark User Group survey, 573 responses.
Why it Matters
A skatepark builds confidence, friendships and health. In Chipping Norton it also fills a gap that young people have been telling us about for years.
In 2022 West Oxfordshire District Council's Youth Needs Assessment heard from 3,908 young people aged 11 to 18, plus young people with additional needs and 177 parents. They want more local, affordable outdoor activities, but distance, cost and having no one to go with keep many away. Skateboarding was something they specifically asked for, and only 11.8% attend a youth club.
Source: West Oxfordshire District Council Youth Needs Assessment, 2022.
In winter 2024 our User Group asked the community 17 questions about a skatepark. 573 people answered, and the message was clear: Chipping Norton wants one, will use it, and wants it to welcome everyone.
Our community survey in pictures
Tap a graphic to enlarge it. Source: Chipping Norton Community Skatepark User Group survey (winter 2024).
Chipping Norton contains West Oxfordshire's most deprived neighbourhood. Surrounded by visible wealth, families who are struggling can feel isolated and reluctant to ask for help, and their children feel the cost, transport and social pressures more sharply.
Skateboarding is a genuine equaliser. A starter board, helmet and pads cost around £50 to £80, and the park will be free and open to everyone 365 days a year. No membership, no kit subscription, and no lift needed when the park is walkable from town.
The West Oxfordshire Community Safety Partnership Plan 2024 notes that rural support services are scarcer and less visible, which makes free local spaces even more important.
Lonely at 16 to 24
That's the highest of any age group, compared with 6% of adults in England overall. A skatepark is a place where people meet without needing an invitation.
The concrete is just the start. We're building partnerships with schools, local charities, community groups and coaches so the park is used well from day one, and so cost never stops anyone joining in.
We plan to set up a skateboarding club, run regular events like skate jams, and organise coaching for all ages and abilities, including dedicated sessions for women and girls and for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
We'll buy a stock of skateboards, helmets and pads for taster sessions, so children and adults can try skating before buying anything of their own.
Early conversations with The Branch Trust, a local charity, told us that children and young adults here are desperate for free activities. We are discussing the potential to develop sessions for young people who are currently missing out.
Skateparks can be especially valuable for neurodivergent young people. Several of our trustees have family and friends who seek out skateparks to support children with ADHD and autism, and have seen how skating helps with regulation, confidence and friendship.
“A friend's son had his life changed by a skatepark. He was an introvert with few true friends… When our local park opened he went, somewhat reluctantly, and quickly made many friends who shared his passion.”
John Cizman, Friends of Granby Skatepark
Skateboarding made its Olympic debut at Tokyo in 2021, where Sky Brown won bronze for Great Britain. She took bronze again at Paris 2024, inspiring a new generation of skaters.
Skateboard GB estimates at least 750,000 active skateboarders in the UK, with growing numbers of women, older riders and new communities taking part. A national audit found more than 2,000 skateable spaces, around half of which need replacing.
Sources: Skateboard GB; Goldsmiths, University of London and Betongpark national audit of skateable spaces.
Real-world proof
Projekts is a not-for-profit, community-run skatepark under the Mancunian Way, built by skaters with backing from the community, funders and the local council. Since 2004 it has grown into a 1,400 square metre concrete park with one of the UK's largest school skateboarding programmes.
It shows what a skatepark can become when it's run for its community, and it's the example we're following.
Source: projektsmcr.com
Chipping Norton is the working hub for many surrounding villages, with good bus links and new housing on the way. The park will serve families across West Oxfordshire and neighbouring Cherwell and Stratford-on-Avon districts.
Maverick Industries gives a 20-year guarantee on the concrete structure, and the park will sit within the town's main recreation ground. It's a legacy the whole community, local schools and clubs can enjoy for generations.
Donate
We're registered with HMRC for Gift Aid, so if you're a UK taxpayer your donation can be worth 25% more at no extra cost to you.
Scan the code to fill in our Pledge to Donate form. We'll send you everything you need to complete your donation with Gift Aid.
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Donation formComing soon
We're getting ready to launch a crowdfunding campaign so everyone can chip in, whatever the amount. Watch this space and follow along as the total climbs.
Trees and bushes will be planted across the site, and benches will carry commemorative plaques honouring our largest donors and key grant funders, so their support is recognised for good.
Funds raised beyond the build cost will be used to integrate the skatepark into its natural surroundings, including landscaping, benches and re-directing footpaths, and to support the skatepark's future with coaching programmes, events, free equipment and maintenance.
Partners
The Trust raises the money. Chipping Norton Town Council commissions the build and will own and look after the finished skatepark. Maverick Industries designs and builds it.
Delivery partner
The Town Council has backed the project from the day three teenagers presented their idea, committing £35,000 and working with us on the site at New Street Recreation Ground.
“With responsibility to oversee all of the Town Council's sites and assets, I am delighted to be working with such a passionate community skatepark user group to help build a skatepark for our town. The creation of the Chipping Norton Skatepark Trust demonstrates the dedication and professionalism the community has to support with fundraising and community engagement, to help make the skatepark dream a reality for Chipping Norton residents.”
Lou Arkley, Assets and Operations Officer, Chipping Norton Town Council
Designer & builder
Specialist skatepark designers and builders, awarded the tender to build Chipping Norton's park. Their concept was shaped through two design meetings with the Community Skatepark User Group.
“Skateparks are truly transformative community spaces. They bring people together, promote outdoor activity and provide a safe place to belong… We're excited to work alongside you to shape a skatepark that becomes a lasting source of joy, energy and community connection for years to come.”
Russ Holbert, Director, Maverick Industries
Supporters
These generous donors have brought the skatepark within reach. Our largest donors will be recognised with commemorative plaques on benches at the park.
Section 106 funding ring-fenced for the skatepark.
The project's first major commitment.
Major donors
Local businesses and benefactors have already given more than . We'll be adding their names here shortly.
Contact
Questions about donating, sponsorship, volunteering or the park itself? Send us a message and one of our trustees will be glad to help.
Find the site
New Street, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 5LJ. The skatepark will sit within the existing recreation ground, visible from the road.
Follow for latest news and Summer 2027 build progress
Fundraising news, event photos and progress on the park. Scan the code or tap below to follow us on Instagram.
We're committed to running the Trust openly. These documents are available on request.