The UK’s first glow-in-the-dark wheels park has opened to the public
Evertro is a new public art commission for the city by Koo Jeong A, in association with Wheelscape Skateparks. It is commissioned by Liverpool Biennial and Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson, in partnership with Friends of Everton Park, the Land Trust and Liverpool Vision, and is part of the new Everton Park Action Sports HUB.
This permanent sculpture is a new artwork for the city and a state of the art wheels park, open to skaters and BMX bikers to use and enjoy. Key parts of the wheels park structure have been painted with phosphorescent paint which glows at night. The wheels park is part of the new Everton Park Action Sports HUB, which also incorporates a training area and BMX track. All facilities are designed for in-line skates, scooters, BMX bikes and skateboards.
Leading South Korean artist Koo Jeong A in association with specialist designers Wheelscape Skateparks, worked with young people from North Liverpool and skaters to devise the new wheels park for Everton Park. Familiar skating features have been combined with new sculptural elements to create a unique space for experimentation. The artist’s design for the central bowl, which includes glow-in-the-dark features, responds to its immediate surroundings in Everton and is intended to offer visitors a space for contemplation.
This is the flagship project of a citywide scheme initiated by Mayor Anderson, and funded by Liverpool City Council, to design and build five wheels parks in Liverpool. Other sites include Dingle Bank, Otterspool, Newsham Park and Norris Green.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: “Evertro promises to be a spectacular new feature for this part of North Livepool. Not only will it add yet another facility for skaters and BMX riders – something which the city’s young people have told us they want – but it will be a dramatic piece of public art. And it is a project the local community have really embraced and become involved with. They have worked very closely with Koo Jeong A to make this a reality. I am delighted to have been able to support this fantastic facility.”
Artist Koo Jeong A, said: “Working as an artist in the community of Everton has been a fascinating process. What appealed to me about this is that community members of different ages have come together to help create this project. It has been an inspiration to work on this new public commission for Everton and for the City of Liverpool.”
John Hutchison, Friends of Everton Park, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Koo, who has thrown herself wholeheartedly into the project, participating in the whole process with creating a brand new experience for our community. We hope Evertro and the wider Everton Park Action Sports HUB will be a beacon for young people, to learn and enjoy the thrill of all kinds of wheel-based sports.”
Sally Tallant, Director of Liverpool Biennial, said: “This commission is a reflection of our commitment to bring art into the city and into the everyday lives of people. Just as the Snowdrop sails the Mersey as a living work of art by Sir Peter Blake, Koo Jeong A has had an amazing opportunity to work with people in Everton.”
The introduction of Evertro has been supported by the Land Trust. They are working with Liverpool City Council to secure the long-term management and maintenance of the park, in conjunction with their community partners, Friends of Everton Park. St. Modwen, the developer behind the Project Jennifer regeneration, is a sponsor of the project, providing funding for the glow-in-the-dark paint for the wheels park.
- The city council has allocated £1.5m of capital funding for schemes for young people. A three month consultation took place with more than 1,000 young people to ensure the right facilities were built in preferred locations. The results of the consultation showed they want the sites to be multi-purpose, suitable for skates, skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes and be suitable for all abilities from beginners to advanced.
