Platt Fields Forever

Yesterday was a sad day for Manchester Skateboarding as we said goodbye to our most beloved skate facility, "Platts" 

Built in 2005, our plywood wonderland made for a perfect summer evening session with everything you needed and considering it was built as a temporary skatepark it lasted nearly 20 years. 

Many amazing memories from this place come to mind but The first ever "NOTE Olympics" was one that will forever be ingrained in our memory. 

Patrick Meryfield - Backside ollie to Noseblunt 2023- Photo by Joe Gavin

As the years went by each winter kicked the parks arse with no real maintenance in sight, Until around 2016 when the park got the full re-surface treatment and felt brand new again.

At this point the local Vibeseekers had taken over with full length Videos coming in thick and fast.

As Platt's location was right in the heart of Fallowfield where all the Uni accomodation is, the place was always busy with students coming and going. As the sun sets and Student Little performed a naked melon over the driveway many people just sat on the grass enjoying the view or kicked a footy about.

 In 2010 the local students organised a Jam called "Fallowpalooza" for the people of Platt Fields.

It's no secret that Platts wasn't exactly the best park ever but there was just something about it that made it special to us, the extra bounce that Hip gave your flip tricks, The sound of the wood or the terrifying mini ramp all had there charm in a way that will be hard to replicate.

Even up to 2023 Platts was in no state to hold Go Skate Day but she did, No complaints just gave us everything we wanted from Damo Challenges, Legit bangers down the rail to Woody ending the day with a demo. Platts was there for you, free of charge.

Many edits we're made and this blog post believe it or not has been kinda hard to narrow down but hopefully you get the idea, an iconic Manchester Skatepark gone but not forgotten, at least we've got many amazing memories to look back on. 

The good news is that's just the end of an era and a replacement is in the works. Have your say on what you think it needs by emailing parks@manchester.gov.uk