20 August 2026
GO! Southampton is supporting the reopening of Southampton’s newly transformed skate park at Hoglands Park, celebrating the launch with the free Push & Play community event this August.
The ageing steel skatepark at Hoglands Park has been replaced with a new concrete skate park designed by Rich Holland and Steve Béga.
Rich Holland has designed numerous skate facilities and sculptures around the globe while Steve Béga’s extensive knowledge of Southampton and long-standing involvement with the local community were integral to shaping a place that responds to the needs and character of the city. Working in partnership with Southampton City Council and John Hansard Gallery, they have created a striking new skate facility for the people of Southampton.
The project forms part of a wider ambition and drew funding from the community infrastructure levy and co-creating public space (an Arts Council funded project through John Hansard Gallery) creating a place that not only supports skateboarding, but also encourages creativity, social connection and a stronger sense of ownership of the city. The bespoke design and strong placemaking qualities will raise Southampton’s profile on a national and international scale while providing a place the people of Southampton can enjoy for years to come.
Push & Play is a free event to celebrate the new skate park. It’s been organised by We Skate Soton, a women-led skate community based in the city and Skate Southampton with support from GO! Southampton. It takes place on Sunday 23 August from 11am-4pm. As well as the opening of the park, attendees can expect live street art, badge making and much more. All are welcome to attend, both skaters and non-skaters. The event will have a focus on community, play and inclusion, with several community groups based in the city in attendance.
Stephen Manion, Chief Director, GO! Southampton said: “GO! Southampton is proud to be sponsoring the Push & Play event and look forward to seeing the new Skate Park which will bring so much fun and vitality to the city centre.”
Councillor Toqeer Kataria, Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety and Leisure, Southampton City Council said: “The skate scene in Southampton is growing and a newly designed skate park by someone as renowned as Rich Holland is a huge boost. He has been involved in some incredibly successful international projects so I have no doubt this will benefit the entire city and put Southampton on the map. We are committed to ensuring that all our parks have high quality facilities for across the city for all to enjoy, and this project is another step towards that.”
Jack Lewis from John Hansard Gallery added: “After many years of supporting the skate community in Southampton, John Hansard Gallery are delighted to have played a part in the creation of the new skatepark in Hoglands Park. We hope that everyone, both local to Southampton and beyond, enjoys this fantastic new attraction on our city’s map.”
Emily from We Skate Soton said: “We’re so excited about the event, it feels like the perfect way to celebrate the new park! Our hope is that all attendees (both skaters and non-skaters) have a great day and get to experience the wonderful vibes of the city’s skate scene”
Steve Béga, Chair of Skate Southampton, added: “This was a dream project to be part of. I’ve admired Rich Holland’s work for decades, so collaborating with him on a project for my hometown has been a real privilege. Thanks to John Hansard Gallery, we were able to bring his ideas to Southampton while making the most of the City Council’s construction budget.
This terrain isn’t traditional. We’ve challenged the norms of skatepark design to create a space that doesn’t dictate how it should be used. Inspired by iconic skateable shapes from around the world and unique features from Southampton’s own heritage, it’s been designed as an open, playful space for everyone to enjoy. We hope it becomes a place where people can meet, play and have fun long into the future…”
For more information head to the We Skate Soton website.