Covid impact drove campaign for Cobham's new skatepark
A new £850,000 skatepark has opened in Cobham, Surrey, designed to support the mental and physical health of young people following the Covid-19 pandemic. The project was led by local resident Martin Elbourne and funded by various community and council schemes.
Why it matters
The project highlights community-led efforts to address the long-term social and mental health impacts of the pandemic on youth.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Tanya Gupta South East Maverick Skateparks BMX riders took part in the opening jam A skatepark has opened in Surrey after a man set out to combat the effects of the Covid pandemic on young people.
Martin Elbourne, 70, a retired marketing consultant, helped drive plans for the new facility at Cobham, which officially opened on Saturday.
The skatepark was created following consultation with more than 200 local young people, who helped influence its design.
Elbourne said the £850,000 scheme was intended to support younger people in the community, adding: "I just wanted to do something for the children."
"If you cast your mind back to Covid, there was a big emphasis on protecting elderly people and saving the NHS," he said.
But he said another outcome that only came to light later was "the devastating impact" on younger people.
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