BCP Council has increased its budget for local play areas, ring-fencing £50,000 specifically for Duck Lane Skatepark in Bournemouth, Dorset. That allocation is part of a £2.5 million uplift to the council’s play projects and sits within the wider Plan for Play programme (Phase 1 of Plan for Play carries a total investment envelope of 3.9 million).
Work is already underway at the skatepark to carry out specialised ramp repairs, upgrade safety surfacing and add new seating for visitors. These repairs are being delivered under the council’s Plan for Play strategy, which aims to bring BCP’s play spaces up to standard and make them safer and more welcoming for young people and families.
The park, which opened in 2015, was originally built by Maverick (Maverick Industries / trading as Maverick Skateparks) and was celebrated for its retro combi-bowl design. Local reporting at the time described the bowl as inspired by classic 1970s California-style concrete designs.
The funding for the improvements is being drawn primarily from the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and developer contributions. Council leaders say improving the site will help encourage young people to stay active, boost local pride and reduce anti-social behaviour by increasing the site’s safety and visibility.
Maintenance works for the defect-repair programme began in early February 2026, and the council expects the Duck Lane works to be completed before the Easter holiday peak so the facility is in good condition for busier spring months.
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