Forest Rising

“This is your chance to get involved in one of the most exciting youth focused projects in the South Hams…”

Skate South Devon CIC (SSD) has been selected as a partner in the brand new ‘Forest Rising’ project; created by the Real Ideas Organisation (RIO) it will help put young people at the heart of decision making in the development of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest. SSD has secured the project with the support of Ivybridge Town Council, who will provide land at Filham Park and space for workshops as part of the project. The land, designated for the new woodland, will also be home to a groundbreaking, wheeled sports ‘pump park’ that promises to be much more than just a location for skateboarding and BMX. Envisioned as a unique space to engage families and young people in innovative and exciting new ways – Forest Rising is a perfect example of the potential that the planned facility offers our community. By participating in the Forest Rising project, SSD is helping to put the next generation of local leaders at the heart of decision making on the development of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.

Forest Rising

Forest Rising is a 9-month programme for 16-28 year olds, offering a platform for younger people to be heard and get involved in local action, to influence and inform the creation and running of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest. It will give space for young people to develop ideas, to design woodland habitats and the activity they want to see; to sit at the table with decision makers and to implement their ideas in relation to nature recovery, where they live. Forest Rising is a part of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, an ambitious project that will see thousands of new trees planted in South and West Devon and Dartmoor over the next few years. The Community Forest is a patchwork of connected woodlands, anything from small urban parks and green spaces, to larger rural planting projects and is a partnership between Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon Councils, The National Trust and Woodland Trust. It is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Detailed plans for the pump park will be released very soon. Accompanied by a new building for the community and incorporating: a cafe, workshop, and events space – the facility will be the first of its kind in the UK. Our vision, of groundbreaking concrete curves wrapping through a woodland planted by local young people, has been designed by of one of the UK’s finest urban sports designers; Jeremy Donaldson. Jeremy has designed more skateparks in the UK than anyone else and now works internationally with Curve Studio; a company that shares the same vision as SSD to create active spaces in harmony with nature and community.

Forest Rising

Forest Rising

Click the tree above to get involved with the Forest Rising project. Numbers are limited so sign up for Forest Rising with Real Ideas and Skate South Devon CIC now!