Hundreds of residents gathered in Wigmore over the weekend to celebrate the transformation of Wigmore Valley Park, as new facilities were officially opened with a day of music, skating and family activities.
The free community event on Saturday marked the completion of a major upgrade to the park, with visitors given the chance to explore a new skatepark, children’s play area and improved amenities for the first time.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Luton Rising managing director Nick Platts, alongside the Mayor of Luton Councillor Amy Nicholls, Councillor Javeria Hussain and Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins.
In a moment that drew cheers from the crowd, young skateboarder Kiersten Gaughan — who had previously campaigned for better facilities in the town — officially opened the skatepark by skating through the ribbon with support from the Friends of Wigmore Park.
The event quickly turned into a celebration of the town’s community spirit, with a Skate Jam bringing together riders of all ages for demonstrations and friendly competitions, while families enjoyed face painting, balloon entertainment and arts and crafts.
The UK Centre for Carnival Arts added to the atmosphere with steel pan music, colourful costumed performances and a hands-on workshop where visitors created carnival headdresses ahead of this year’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The improvements to the park, delivered by Luton Rising, include a state-of-the-art skatepark, an aviation-themed play area, a catering kiosk run by the Royal Voluntary Service, picnic areas and new public toilets.
There have also been wider upgrades to make the park more accessible, including step-free routes, wider paths linking to the Covid Peace Garden Orchard, resurfaced car parks and additional accessible parking bays.
Mr Platts said: “The improvements to Wigmore Valley Park have been shaped by extensive community engagement, and it’s good to see local residents are already flocking to use the facilities.
“By prioritising accessibility, sustainability and community needs, we have created a high-quality public space for everyone to use and enjoy.
“This is a project we are extremely proud of, reflecting Luton Rising’s ongoing commitment to delivering lasting, positive outcomes for our local community and residents.”
Councillor Hussain said: “It’s been wonderful to see so many residents come together to celebrate the new and improved park facilities.
“The transformation has been remarkable, and I’m delighted the community can now enjoy this vibrant, inclusive space. Wigmore Valley Park is a place where local families and visitors can play, relax and connect with nature.”
As part of the project, new trees and thousands of plants have also been added to boost biodiversity and enhance the park’s natural environment, creating what organisers hope will be a long-lasting community asset for the town.
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