Congratulations to the three winners of the PARC Skateboard Design Competition who were

awarded an exciting and unique prize, their design made into a real skateboard, presented by

Harpenden’s Deputy Mayor Cllr Pip Liver and Rod Cooley, Co-Chair of PARC at a prize giving

ceremony which took place on Friday 1st March 2024.

Local charity, PARC (Playpark Action Rothamsted Committee), ran the very popular competition to

help promote their fundraising campaign for the much-needed redevelopment of Rothamsted Park’s

Skatepark. PARC, together with Harpenden Town Council, hope to create a modern, inclusive facility

with good wheelchair access, features for all abilities and ages, and suitability for different users

including skateboards, BMX bikes, WCMX (adapted wheelchairs), and scooters.

The prize giving event was sponsored and hosted by Thompson’s Gallery, Church Green in

Harpenden, who welcomed winners: Genevieve from Harpenden Academy school winner of the 7

years and under category; Florrie from Katherine Warrington School winner of the 8-11 years

category; and Galax from Roundwood Park School winner of the 12-16 age group. Each winner was

delighted to see their design come to life as a skateboard.

Deputy Mayor of Harpenden Cllr Pip Liver said, “Congratulations to all of the winners of this exciting competition and well done to everyone who took part as the standard of creativity is incredible. The Town Council is very pleased to be working with PARC on such a worthwhile project; the skatepark provides such an important facility to so many young people in particular.  Thank you to PARC members who are working incredibly hard to fundraise; their dedication to this project deserves our upmost respect and admiration. Together with PARC, I would like to encourage Rothamsted Park users, residents and local businesses to get in touch if they are able to support the fundraising appeal, even small donations are so important.”

Andrew Hingston, PARC Trustee, said, “We would like to thank the Thompson’s Gallery owner Megan Thompson for funding the manufacture of the winning skateboards and for hosting the prize giving event. Thompson’s Gallery is a great example of a Harpenden business supporting a local charity and we hope that other Harpenden businesses will also sponsor PARC. We would also like to thank everyone who entered

the competition and were thrilled to have received so many entries. The winning designs feature

imaginative concepts, fabulous use of colour and individual style.”

The overall budget for the new skatepark is £250,000 with Harpenden Town Council committing £100K and the remainder relying on local fundraising.

PARC is making progress with raising funds but needs more help from local people and businesses to make the Skatepark a reality. Options to help fund this project include buying a brick which would be personalised with a name, street name, group’s name or whatever you choose, and the charity has also set up a text service: text SKATE to 70450 to donate £20 or NEW to 70450 to donate £10.

There is also a donor board where businesses can display their company logo for a donation.

Further information can be found on PARC’s donations website: www.parc.charity/donate 

email emailparc@gmail.com or call 07955 027524.

PARC is a registered charity (No. 1179147) established in July 2018 by a group of Harpenden parents

and grandparents, initially formed to raise £250 000 to redesign and replace Harpenden’s flagship

playpark, situated in Rothamsted Park. PARC raised £110,000 through their fundraising efforts and

with the support of Harpenden Town Council, who pledged a further £150,000, the play area was

completed and opened to the public in July 2021.