Huge increase in usage of Hucknall skateparks following Sky Brown's Olympic success

Sky Brown's Olympic heroics this week have led to a huge increase in skateboarders at Nabbs Lane Recreation Ground and Titchfield Park in Hucknall.

Millions watched this week as the 13-year-old flew around the Olympic Skatepark to claim the bronze medal and it has sparked a newfound interest in the sport – especially at the popular Hucknall parks.

Ashfield District Council have invested £200,000 in the skatepark at Nabbs Lane and improved the one at Titchfield Park. The skate parks in Hucknall are part of Ashfield District Council's play park strategy which has led to millions being spent on improving parks across the Ashfield District.

Hucknall West Councillor David Shaw has reported a dramatic increase in skateboarding at Nabbs Lane Recreation Ground. He said: "I am delighted to see our skate park so well used by our young people. During the pandemic, we saw a dramatic rise in the use of our local parks and open spaces. Now, usage has gone through the roof – with our part of Hucknall going skateboard crazy – especially now with those wanting to follow in the footsteps of Sky Brown. Our parks are now real destinations for our young people to play and we continue to improve them with over £2million being spent to improve them in the last year alone."

Sky Brown's success is adding to what has already been a great year for skateboarding, with the pandemic prompting a boom in the number of people – particularly girls – picking up a board. The Covid pandemic has helped skateboarding, with a notable rise among female riders. According to Skateboard GB, skateboarding sales grew 34% last summer with a 21% increase in female skateboarders in the UK.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny, the leader of Ashfield District Council said, "Your Ashfield Independent Council have invested the most amount of money since the council was created in 1974 in our play parks. They enjoyed record numbers during successive COVID lockdowns as families flocked to their local parks. I am not surprised that skateparks in Hucknall have seen a dramatic upsurge in usage since Sky Brown's success. It makes all the investment and commitment to improving facilities for our young people worthwhile."