This picture by Dobie certainly brings a smile to my face. The skatepark at Bowes Lyon House saw many interesting scenes of one kind or another over the years, but for pure skateboarding the Powell Peralta tour of 1988 must have been one of the greatest. I really like this picture: it seems to me to be a classic of that era.
Footnote: in 1988 the ramp skating climax would have been expected to take place at the monster ramp at Latimer Road, in London. But rain put the dampers on that day. So Stevenage took the honors for the vert-ramp session of the tour.
5 responses to “Classic skateboarding: Steve Caballero, Stevenage Skatepark, July 1988”
i wish stevenage was still like this
I WENT DOWN THERE SINCE IT FIRST OPENED IN THE EARLY 80’S.AT THE TIME BETWEEN THE SKATEBOARD CRAZE EASING OFF AND BMX JUST BEGINING TO APPEAR HERE FROM THE STATES,BOWES LYON WANTED TO DEMOLISH THE SKATEPARK BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF USE.THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN KICKING THEMSELVES NOW IF THEY HAD.IT’S MOBBED DOWN THERE SOME DAYS LOL!
Skatepark at Bowes is a constant source of bad press, which is totally unwarranted. The people that work within the centre are trying their best to make it as good as possible but a small group of young people seem hell bent on wrecking the place. It is open from 9.30am – 9.30pm on most days – FREE OF CHARGE, but this is still not good enough for some people who break in and graffiti all over the place (its not even good graffiti just swear words and pictures of dicks normally – der). Things are always being dragged in and set fire to, drink and drugs are taken on site and the whole place is treated with a total lack of respect, but they still expect new ramps, new benches, new bins, new water fountains,trips out to other skateparks all free of charge – lets have a reality check here people and start taking some responsibility for OUR skatepark before it disappears forever because we are sick of dealing with the aggro it causes.
This park is legendary. My brother and I grew up skating there (and Knebworth) in the late 80’s. Our grandad, Bill Churchill (R.I.P.) worked there in the 70’s and early 80’s too and I’m sure i remember visiting with him when I was really young and seeing indoor ramps? Can anyone confirm that for me?
i remember it well a load of us used 2 come down from cheshunt every wednesday,i also remember knebworth.dear running about and that little steam train that went past,jumping out the bushes and catching a free ride happydayz indeed.