29 Oct 2014
East London's 'Rom' becomes Europe’s first listed skatepark
BY Katie Buckley
The ‘Rom’ in Hornchurch, East London, has been given Grade II listed status by English Heritage and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Opened in 1978, the Rom, named after a nearby river, is one of the finest surviving examples of early skatepark designs in the UK. The decision to protect the park follows the publication of a new book by sports historian Simon Inglis called Played in London – which examines London's sporting sites of historical importance.
Designed by Adrian Rolt and skatepark specialists G-Force, the Rom covers 8,000sq m (86,111sq ft). The central 4,000sq m (43,055sq ft) is surfaced with shotcrete (pressurised concrete) and features seven different areas for skating – including ‘The Pool’, which was based on empty swimming pools in California where pioneers first perfected the sport and a series of interlinked bowls called the ‘The Mogus’.
Following recent controversy over London Southbank’s Undercroft – a skating haven now allowed to remain open – it appears that the UK’s skateboarding heritage is gaining recognition.
Roger Bowdler, designation director at English Heritage, said: "Skateboarding is more than a sport: it has become a worldwide cult. The Rom is the finest example in England of this aspect of youth culture… it gives the whole idea of heritage an extra twist."
Heritage minister Ed Vaizey supported this claim by stating that the listing reflects the UK’s unique cultural heritage and should be ‘enjoyed for years to come.’
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