Last Updated on March 16, 2023
Bury St.Edmunds has been on my ‘most wanted’ list of Suffolk Skateparks to visit for a while. Partly because there’s a huge bowl, but also because out of all the skateparks in Suffolk (that I’m aware of) this is the one that seems to have the biggest community of skaters behind it. While all skateparks only come into existence because of the hard work and campaigning of many (very cool) people, Bury Skatepark appears to be run as something by something of an autonomous collective of skaters. Very cool.
Unlike any other skatepark I’ve visited in Suffolk Bury skatepark is not in the middle of a residential development. Bury Skatepark is on an industrial estate, which is close to the centre of the city but far enough away to possibly not attract the sort of non-skater knobheads that criminally damage some of the other brilliant skate facilities this county has to offer. In fact today when I visited Bury skatepark this afternoon I assumed it was brand spanking new.
There’s no graffiti, no smashed glass, no vandalism, no evidence of anything that would detract from this skatepark being utterly pristine. This is the first skatepark I’ve visited all year that I didn’t have to spent at least a few minutes hunting for bits of trash and debris that might chuck me off my board. Amazing. Perhaps it’s because Bury Skatepark isn’t in the middle of a residential area, but I’d like to think that it’s because the folk who use this skatepark take an enormous amount of pride in it, and want to keep it as amazing as it clearly is. For the record the skatepark, in it’s current form, opened in 2014. But as I say, it looks brand new. In fact one other skater turned up when I was flailing around wildly (skating) and he was genial, engaging and when I left he invited me to ‘come back soon’. Awesome. Just one guy I know, but his attitude is one that appeared to have a deep foundation in being connected to a skatepark that’s by the skaters, for the skaters, and looked after by the skaters.
Bury Skatepark has more variety to offer than anywhere else I’ve skated. I am not a skilled skater by any stretch, so some parks that are just ramps and steep transitions can feel a little daunting. Bury skatepark has plenty of trans, but also has tons of flat ramps. I dropped in on a transition that I felt comfortable with, but there were far higher drops to be had, leading right up to the epic depth of one of half of the bowl.
Oh the bowl, oh happy days. I’m new to bowl skating but even I was able to give one push and then carve to my heart’s content in the gorgeous L-shaped bowl at Bury Skatepark. It’s smooth, welcoming, but with a deep section that teases you into taking bigger chances. Above all it’s a proper bowl, not a half cut out bowl, not a convenient place for BMXs to make and about turn. It’s a badass proper bowl, and I loved it.
I’m not sure what the deal is with parking here. I went on a Friday afternoon so decided against parking on the single yellow lines of the roads that border Bury skatepark. Instead I parked in the entrance to what appears to be a derelict warehouse. I could see my car while I was skating and nobody appeared to have a problem with me parking there. But as ever, I offer no solutions, so claim indemnity if a traffic warden takes umbrage to where you leave your motor while you skate.
In addition to the epic skate plateau, with it’s many slopes, trans, boxes etc and the astonishingly cool bowl there’s also what I assume is a massively long BMX track cut into the dirt around the fringes of the skatepark. It’s long. Very long. This track is made up of tabletops (I think that’s the right word) and some decent steep banked curves. I’m guessing it’s too narrow to actually race on, but it looks a ton of fun. I wholly regret not trying to skate it. With the right amount of leg pumping this would be a hell of a ride for anyone on four urethane wheels.
In conclusion there’s not much to say other than Bury St.Edmunds skatepark… I love you.
Bury St Edmunds Skatepark gallery
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