Teen honoured with memorial at new skatepark

Tracey Swan, Max Hamilton's mother, was at the event at Totnes Skatepark

The mother of a teenager who died after he fell off his skateboard has welcomed the opening of a new skatepark in his hometown.

Max Hamilton, 19, from Totnes, Devon, died in 2019 after he hit his head when he lost control of his skateboard on Greenbank Road in Plymouth.

There is a memorial to him at the new skatepark, which was officially opened in Borough Park in Totnes on Saturday.

His mother, Tracey Swan, said: "It's an amazing facility, it's brought the community together, there's a buzz, there's an absolute buzz around Totnes."

Max wanted to get a new skatepark built in Totnes for years before his death, his mother said

The skatepark was funded by crowdfunding, community fundraising, and donations from Totnes Town Council and South Hams District Council.

It was built in collaboration with Maverick Skateparks and Skate to the Max - a Community Interest Company set up after Max's death.

"He was very keen to improve the skatepark," Mrs Swan said. "They were constantly trying to build wooden ramps and trying to make it a better place, so he was involved with it quite early days, and was very passionate about it."

She said she felt "emotional" to see the new park built and being used.

"I think it gives them a space, it gives them a place to feel at home, I think it gives them a space to feel free, and somewhere they can come and unite together," she said.

The park officially opened on Saturday

The new skatepark consists of a concrete bowl and various other obstacles, including rails and ledges.

Maverick Skateparks said the park provided "a dynamic and inclusive space", marking an "important milestone" for the town.

Totnes councillor John Birch said it was "great" to get the skatepark built, after the community had worked so hard for it.

Councillor John Birch said the community had worked hard to get the skatepark built

Mr Birch said the park was good "not only for the local community, but for the skateboarding community as well".

Councillor Tim Bennett, Mayor of Totnes, said: "It's a near-15-year campaign, I think at this point, that was brought up by young people, and for me that's why as a town council we really wanted to... stand behind it."

He said the park was "a really inclusive place" and added to "the mix" of options available for young people in the town.