Community feedback shapes revised Tavistock wheeled sports area design

A revised design for Tavistock’s planned Multi-Use Wheeled Sports Area has been published following months of consultation with local residents, young people and skateboarders.

Tavistock Town Council and design company Canvas Spaces say they have updated the concept after listening closely to comments gathered since April.

The new design can be viewed on the council’s Canvas project page, where people can still leave feedback.

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A spokesperson for Canvas said:

“We’ve listened carefully to your feedback, and the design has now been revised. Your thoughts continue to be incredibly important as we move this project forward for Tavistock.”

Two sets of consultation reports, including sessions held with women and girls at TR7 Skatepark, and with young people in Bere Alston and Princetown, helped shape the changes.

Women and girls said they liked that the proposed design “doesn’t have a hard edge” and “looks like the beach with all the waves.” 

Many said it “looks fun to skate” but asked for more flat-ground space, a deeper bowl, and a layout that felt less “busy” or intimidating.

They also said the space would feel more welcoming with:

• Low-level lighting
• Coloured concrete sections
• A dedicated graffiti wall
• Communal skateboards to borrow
• A protective barrier between the skatepark and the path
• “Any opportunities to create art”

At youth sessions in Bere Alston and Princetown, young people asked for:

• Bigger ramps and longer grind rails
• A “volcano” rollover and a deeper bowl
• More bins and benches
• A paint trail showing lines of flow
• Personalised artwork created by locals
• Improvements for SEND users, including a “widget board” for non-verbal riders

ABOVE: Residents can still leave feedback on design's on the Canvas website (Credit: Canvas)

Young people in Princetown also said that poor public transport made it hard to visit Tavistock Skatepark, and several felt this limited how often they could use the facilities.

Canvas said this stage of the project is still open and more comments are welcome.

In a message to residents, the company said:

“Your comments will be used to inform the design for the next design meeting.”

The first design workshop took place on 7 May, and more will be announced by Tavistock Town Council as the design moves toward final sign-off.

Residents can view the updated design and submit comments through the Canvas online hub. 

Tavistock Town Council, TaviSkate and Tavistock Youth Café will continue sharing updates.

Canvas said:

“Together, we’re shaping an inspiring new space for people of all ages and abilities.”