Freshwater Parish Council Chair, Frances Turan, has given a personal boost to the Freshwater Skatepark & Pump Track campaign with a £500 donation, helping bring the long-awaited project closer to reality.
The project, which has captured the imagination of the local community, will deliver the Isle of Wight’s first-ever pump track alongside a modern, inclusive skatepark. With planning permission secured in 2024, the fundraising campaign has already gathered over £224,000 through Parish Council commitment, community events, business sponsorship, and grants.
“This project is about more than ramps and rails,” said Frances Turan. “It’s about safeguarding Freshwater’s legacy as a hub for skate culture, giving young people a safe space to be active, and strengthening our community spirit. I’m proud to support it and hope this donation inspires others to get involved.”
Freshwater has a unique place in UK skate history. Golden Hill Fort was home to one of Britain’s first concrete skateparks in 1978, and since then generations of local riders have kept the culture alive. The new facility will continue that legacy while offering something entirely new for the Island: a combined skatepark and pump track designed for skateboards, scooters, BMX, rollerblades, and even wheelchairs.
Golden Hill Skatepark
Over the past four years, the project has been powered by people—through school challenges, Skate Jams, surf club fundraisers, and creative initiatives like the upcoming Art on Decks auction, where local artists will transform blank skateboard decks into works of art to be exhibited and sold in aid of the project.
With just the final stretch of fundraising to go, the Freshwater Skatepark & Pump Track team is urging local residents, businesses, and supporters to help close the gap.
Donations can be made via the project’s GoFundMe page, and every contribution—big or small—brings Freshwater closer to building a safe, inspiring, and future-proof space for all.
