The National Youth Agency: My Place

In this series, we look at a range of generic and specialist youth facilities to encourage ambition and vision in support of myplace bids, linking each to one of the programme's 10 key principles.

TIPKINDER PARK, CREWE, CHESHIRE

Key principle: Young people's active participation.

Tipkinder Park was home to antisocial behaviour, dumped cars and drug dealing. Groundwork was approached by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council to develop an outdoor, cutting-edge extreme sports facility in consultation with local people and current and potential park users. Groundwork held extensive consultations with young people and local residents - at the carnival, the park, with schools, the youth forum, skaters and a BMX club - before developing a plan that included a BMX track, skatepark, lighting and routeways. The challenge was to come up with a track suitable for novice riders whilst being more challenging for those with more experience. The final plans for the park were agreed by young people. Young people were involved in interviewing building companies and making changes to the design as work got under way. They are now visiting other areas to promote the track and are acting as ambassadors for Crewe. Some are in training to become coaches and others work on fundraising and organising events.