Urban Vision Provide Facilities for Salford Youths

In conjunction with Salford City Council, Urban Vision, a joint venture company providing Architectural and Landscape services to local authorities and private sector organisations has developed a new skate park and multi-use games area for Salford youths.

The multi-use games area, which is adjacent to Brookhouse Community centre aims to provide a useful facility for local youths which will also be used for sports development events when suitable.  The £84 thousand funding required for the facility was provided by the Safer and Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF) and is aimed at tackling crime, anti-social behavior and drugs, empowering communities and improving the condition of street and public spaces.

In a further development aimed at enhancing the local community, with a contract value of almost £128 thousand, the partnership has designed and constructed a skate park close to the multi-use games area.  The specialist facility is devised to encourage youths to enjoy a healthier lifestyle and consists of a 40 x 15 metre wide skate park including ramps, jumps and grind rails.

Both facilities were developed following full community consultation exercises by Salford City Council’s Environment Directorate, and as such have been well received by the local community.   These exercises were undertaken to help create a sense of ownership with local residents and have proved to be a remarkable success, supported by the take up rate and lack of vandalism to the facilities.

Dan Sterry, Senior Landscape Architect at Urban Vision comments “These developments have provided the local community with exciting and vibrant facilities which are being well used.  With an awareness of increasing obesity levels amongst our youth it is important that resources such as these are installed to help engage with young people and promote a healthier lifestyle.”