Residents, families and young people gathered to mark the official opening of the Bearfield Skatepark in Cowbridge, a project delivered by Vale of Glamorgan Council in partnership with Cowbridge Town Council and specialist designers Wheelscape.
A park shaped by local young people
The facility is among the first schemes to come from the Cowbridge Placemaking Plan. Community engagement work identified Bearfield as a site where upgraded facilities could particularly benefit younger residents, and the skatepark’s final design was informed by direct input from local children and teenagers.
Young people from Cowbridge Comprehensive School, Ysgol Iolo Morgannwg and Y Bont Faen Primary School took part in a series of workshops with Wheelscape. One young local activist, Bruno Sochovski, is highlighted for helping to gather views from fellow students and keeping the project focused on what local users wanted from the new space.
Opening day and community event
The launch was marked by a community celebration featuring music, prizes and open skate sessions that saw local skateboarders and scooter riders putting the new ramps and features through their paces. The event underlined the council’s aim to create a welcoming facility for all ages and abilities.
“This facility is a great example of what can be achieved when communities work together to shape the future of their town,”
The words came from Councillor Bronwen Brooks, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Places, who said the park was a product of partnership working and youth involvement and would be enjoyed for years to come.
Funding and partnerships
The project was funded through Section 106 developer contributions from nearby housing developments, with additional support from Sport Wales. The council worked alongside Cowbridge Town Council and Wheelscape to see the scheme through from consultation to completion.
- Project partners: Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cowbridge Town Council, Wheelscape
- Community participants: local schools and young people, including nominated youth representatives
- Funding sources: Section 106 contributions and Sport Wales
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Bearfield, Cowbridge |
| Design partners | Wheelscape and local schools |
| Funding | Section 106 contributions; Sport Wales |
The opening of Bearfield Skatepark represents a visible step in delivering the broader Placemaking Plan for Cowbridge, with the council saying it will support ambitions to improve the area and promote active lifestyles for residents and visitors.
For local families and young people the new park provides a free, local place to skate and practise skills. The council has previously used the Placemaking Plan framework to guide improvements in public spaces across the town, and the Bearfield installation will be followed by other projects in coming years.
Those wishing to find out about future events or sessions at the skatepark should check Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cowbridge Town Council channels for updates.
