"Then getting permission from the council, finding the perfect space, all takes time and even with planning permission, there was so many different pieces of things we had to look after - like this has got one of the biggest electrical wire outlets under this premise's and that had to be all sorted out before we could even build on it," explained Shawn.

Bridge Park - Ipswich Skatepark

Wearing protective gear such as helmets is an important aspect in using the skatepark. Although skatepark users cannot buy such items from the actual site, there are other places they can go.

"Well I work in Rude, which is one of the skate shops in Ipswich and what we’ve done is bought loads of helmets in. We want to emphasis that we do support people to wear helmets - it’s a necessity and we want people to take care of themselves," said Shawn.

More and more sports are being geared towards girls and skateboarding is one of them.

"There are a few girls. I know the secretary who runs the skatepark appeal and she says she gets loads of members that are BMX riders and skateboarders that are girls, so it’s an up and coming sport for the females as well as the males at the moment," explained Shawn.

Skateboarding and BMX riding is a huge sport nationally and internationally with various competitions and demonstrations taking place. Shawn explained what plans were in the pipeline for the Ipswich Skatepark.

"What we are hoping to do is organise demos from professional teams, that come from all over and do tours. We are also organising events such as taster sessions and under 15-year-old nights and things like that, but yes there’s going to be all sorts of competitions, and more demonstrations than competitions I think with people seeing how the professionals do it," said Shawn.

Skatepark pictures »

Ipswich Skatepark details:

Bridge Park - Skatepark Location: Grafton Way, Stone bridge, Ipswich Suffolk

Web address: www.ipswichskatepark.co.uk

Club secretary: Mrs Tina Wiles Tel: 01473 401580 Email: tina.wiles@talk21.com

Directions:

A12/A14 - Follow all signs to Ipswich town centre / Ipswich dock. If you are arriving by train, exit station and turn right. Follow road until you reach the park (10 minutes walk).

At Cardinal Park you will find plenty of parking spaces and fast food outlets, bars and restaurants (5 minutes walk).

Free admission / floodlights / CCTV

i live in italy and spend part of the summer in ipswich(skatepark!).there are no skate parks here and you are very lucky!
alex migliorino, italy

Needs more street obsticles and needs to be bigger. needs ledges like crown pools and stairs like suffolk college. needs to be more like love park in philly and like skate plaza.
Liam Clark, Ipswich

I used to manage an MTB/BMX shop in Southend, and ride with Lee's brother Wayne. One day Lee came in and told me he could do backflips, climbed the wall at the back of the shop (which was about 7 feet high) and did a backflip off of it to prove it.
There was a big bang when he hit the floor - his foot had landed on the kerb, and he twisted his ankle big time. He didn't cry though, well not too much. Too much of a nutter I guess. Didn't realise he'd gone on to join Sean Ward (who I used to skate with) in the ranks of 'proper' skaters. Well done mate!
Ian M, Brentwood

i used to skate and I found it a real nice place to meet new peeps and practise! it's a nice friendly environment with minimal trouble!
Lee, Ipswich

i think it is to small for a skatepark and i think you should build some more ramps where the big bench is, all the ramps are always crowded and i dont get alot of goes on the ramps ,so i think you should make it just a bit bigger that would be great.

lee alexander, ipswich

great park but could have been put in a better place like in cristchurch park

Keith, Ipswich

Terrific skate-park. Young people obviously enjoy it. Your next task is to create a safe way of getting to it. There are dozens of roads to cross, and it may only be a question of time before a child is accidentally run down. So, why not apply for a bit more funding to build safer access to one of Ipswich's great features?

Peter Holden, Ipswich

i have been skateboarding for out 1 year now and i am making quite good progress. the bridge park is a very good skateboard park its has everything you need really accept no stair cases. if we had these there it would be a much more popular park because it would bring street obstilcles into the parks.

Dave Howett, 13