KEEN to see a new, modern, 21st century, fit-for-purpose, playpark in Ross-on-Wye the public came forward with their ideas to transform Wilton Park.

Last week Ross Town Council hosted the first of the public consultations to revamp the town’s skatepark and provide a multi-use games area for all ages and abilities.

Andrew Houston, Herefordshire Council’s project manager saw for himself that in common with most skateparks around the country, the facility in Ross needs a lot of maintenance, and while it is functional, it is now looking tired.

The ideas presented to the project leaders’ behind the scheme will be looked at, evaluated and used to create a design concept.

But it’s not too late to take part in this consultation as a link to it can be seen on Ross Town Council’s website.

Originally the project’s main objective is to provide a new skatepark, but it’s now much more than that.

And by creating a multi-generational activity hub at Wilton Park it will become an exciting new activity destination for everyone in the local community and its visitors.

One of the visions is to create a concrete skatepark, a pump track and multi-use games area for all ages and abilities.

The park will also have a range of active spaces designed to bring people together to promote well-being, inclusivity, and outdoor fun.

Marc Russell explained that it was when his son wanted to play basketball that he felt inspired to do something to achieve this goal.

He said: “I set up a Facebook to gauge any interest in the idea of building a basketball court at the skatepark. But things progressed and grew and now its turning into Wilton Park along with a whole regenerational exercise for the whole area.”

Wendy Davies the commercial director at Bendcrete Skateparks, said that they enjoy creating places that offer genuine value and meaning where landscapes are where people want to be.:

She added: “I’m involved in this project to redesign the skatepark and the pump track element.

“But it is now so much more as we are now looking at the whole of Wilton Park, and this is why the scheme has gone out for consultation to establish what local people would like included.

“We love it that the public are participating in the scheme to help design this new facility.”

Katie Dixon of ASA Landscape Architects said: “We are leading the project to bring forward this destination activity park.

“We are hoping that people will tell us what should be included alongside the skatepark. The online survey will continue until December 14.

“There are many options which could include amphitheatres, performance spaces, dedicated seating areas with shelter, climbing frames and even bike servicing.

“But the choice of options is endless and it’s up to local people to decide what they want.”

The project is being financed through the monies local housing developers deposit with Herefordshire Council to benefit the local community.

The council’s delivery manager Nigel Roch said: “We’ve received lots of ideas which will go forward and be collated into a working design, which will go out to public consultation next year.”