World’s first multi-story skatepark opens in the United Kingdom

Folkestone 51 is the first multi-story skatepark in the world and it’s set to open on April 4 in the United Kingdom. It features three stories of skatepark floors, a 15m climbing wall and boulder area, a café, and boxing facilities.

“We are incredibly honored that The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust has gifted this world-class building to The Sports Trust and we are excited to bring this extraordinary venue to life,” said Dan Hulme, Chief Executive of The Shepway Sports Trust.

“As a charity that has been working in Folkestone for over seven years to create inclusive and inspiring environments for people to love sport, we are confident that Folkestone 51 will bring enviable opportunities and experiences to local people for generations to come.”

The venue is located in the town of Folkestone, and has stunning views of the British Channel. The construction of the facility took over four years, with the majority of the funding coming from a charitable trust established by the founder of the Saga holiday group.

The facility features a concrete bowl and separate pool, both of which have unique design features. The first floor features a large skatepark with a 700-square-meter area, and on the top floor, is a Flow Floor with a variety of obstacles designed for all climbing disciplines including speed walls and bouldering.

Last year, skateboarding and sport climbing made their debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with Sky Brown securing a bronze medal for Great Britain in the park event. Brown had just turned 13 years old a few weeks before the Tokyo Games, and became Great Britain’s youngest ever Olympic medalist. Both programs will be a part of the Paris 2024 Games with four disciplines in each sport.

Not surprisingly, skateboarding and sport climbing have seen record participation numbers since the Tokyo Games, numbers which should only continue to rise in the buildup to the Paris 2024 Games.