Council invites local people to help design and name Margate’s new flagship skatepark

Thanet District Council is inviting local people to help shape the final vision for Margate’s new £1.1 million state-of-the-art skatepark project. 

Following the recent appointment of award-winning specialist contractors Betongpark Limited, a public engagement event will showcase the initial designs and gather vital feedback, before the planning application is submitted. 

The project aims to transform the underused space at Ethelbert Crescent, Cliftonville, into a vibrant community hub that can be used all year round. Specifically designed to cater to everyone from absolute beginners to world-class professionals, the park will feature a state-of-the-art concrete design, comprehensive landscaping, new seating areas, and a dedicated kiosk with public toilets. 

Event details: 

• Date: Thursday 23 April
• Time: 3pm to 7pm
• Location: Family Hub (formerly The Quarterdeck), Zion Place, Cliftonville CT9 1RP

In addition to viewing the plans, attendees will have the opportunity to talk to the project team and representatives from Betongpark, the appointed contractor. There will also be free skateboarding sessions with Scorcha Skate School, with specific times for different age groups. 

As part of the engagement, the council will invite local people to contribute ideas for the name of the new facility, to reflect the area’s local heritage and coastal identity.

Sessions are also planned with pupils at Hartsdown Academy and primary schools in Cliftonville.

Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property at Thanet District Council, said: “This project is an amazing opportunity to give our local young people a world-class, free-to-use asset that they can truly be proud of. Beyond providing a safe space for activity, we believe this skatepark will significantly improve mental and physical wellbeing by giving residents a place to socialise and be proud of.

“We want to ensure this space meets the needs of every user, from those stepping on a board for the first time, to seasoned skaters. I strongly encourage people to come along, share their views on the designs, and help us choose a name that reflects the spirit of Margate.”

Anyone who is unable to attend the event can view the designs and share their feedback on Your Voice Thanet, the council’s public engagement website, for one week from Thursday 23 April.

Following the engagement period, the designs will be refined, taking into account the feedback received. The designs will be reviewed by an independent design review panel, ahead of the formal planning application. 

If approved, construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with the skatepark anticipated to open to the public in spring 2027. The £1.1 million skatepark project is supported by government regeneration funding, originally secured through the Margate Town Deal, now part of the Local Regeneration Fund.

For more information on Margate’s new skatepark, visit the council’s website. 

Notes to Editors

• About Betongpark: An award-winning firm specialising in the design and construction of concrete skateparks and urban landscapes across the UK and Europe.
• Location: The proposed site is Ethelbert Crescent, Cliftonville, Margate, adjacent to the Lido and the Jubilee Play Park.
• Accessibility: The skatepark will be free to use, open to everyone, and managed by Thanet District Council.
• Budget: the £1.1m budget includes developing public toilets and kiosk, alongside the skateable area and landscaped space.