The kids saving an 80s skatepark with some help from Tony Hawk
Livingston skatepark (or 'Livi' to everyone who ever skated there or wanted to) was once classed as one of the best skateparks of its kind, not only in Scotland, but around the world. Skating stars such as Steve Caballero, Mike McGill and even Tony Hawk made the journey to this Lothian new-town to ride its famous bowl.
Forty years on, it’s fallen into disrepair. The concrete is cracking and its once smooth surfaces are covered in scree.
However, in the 蜜芽传媒 Scotland documentary Long Live Livi by filmmakers Parisa Urquhart and Ling Lee, we follow the ventures of an all-girl skate crew, “The Snagglerats”, who are determined to keep the park and its dream alive.
Skate legend Tony Hawk visited the park in 1990, and can be seen in a clip riding the Livi bowl. In a video call to the girls he tells them, that if they can learn to skate Livingston they’ll be able to skate anything and and admits that the rock-hard surface “chews you up!”

Tony Hawk drops in on the Snagglerats
Skate legend Tony Hawk makes a personal call to the girls from Livingston skate park.
The next generation of Livi
A new generation of girl-skaters dedicated are determined to reinvigorate the park. Poppy, Rudy and Mac are inspiring each other and other girls to skate. Supported by their mums, they travel the length of the country entering skate competitons and representing girls on the Scottish skate scene, but Livi is home and they’re determined not to let it crumble.
Livingston Skatepark opened in 1981 and was designed and built by architect Ian Urquhart. It was inspired by his wife and dedicated skater Dee Urquhart and together they travelled across America to gain insight into the composition and engineering of leading skateparks, getting their hands dirty, digging out the bowls and assisting in the parks construction.
Not only did this dynamic couple create what may well be one of the oldest skateparks in Europe, they nurtured and grew the Scottish Skate scene and even formed The Scottish Skateboarding Association, and organisation which still thrives to this day.
This gnarly, concrete park is considered so challenging only the most hardcore of skaters carve its concrete... along with the snagglerats of course. So, Long Live Livi!
-
Long Live Livi
Livingston skatepark is legendary among skaters, but 40 years on it has fallen into disrepair. However, a local group of three ambitious skate girls are on a mission to save the park.

Latest features from 蜜芽传媒 Scotland
-
'Wild swimming helps me process the grief of losing my son'
The benefits of cold water therapy.
-
Winter adventures are appealing, but an expert advises caution
Trips in winter require particular knowledge and skills.
-
The rescuers: Why volunteers risk their lives in mountain emergencies
Landward meets members of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.
-
鈥楲ook for the light鈥� 鈥� practical tips to help you through another winter with SAD
Useful advice and tips to combat low moods at this time of year.
-
How you could be a binge drinker without even knowing
Binge drinking is classed as fewer units than many people may realise.
-
How chocolate biscuits and drama classes helped one man leave prison behind
The healing power of creativity.
-
'When people believe in you, it鈥檚 life-changing'
Author Graeme Armstrong revisits the man who helped turn his life around.
-
The 'breath-taking' display of US birds swept on to British soil
Recent storms have brought rare birds to our shores.
-
Six things we learned about Alan Cumming on Take the Floor (Spoiler: includes accordions)
The actor spoke to Take the Floor's Gary Innes.
-
How street gangs trap young men in a dangerous cycle of violence
The almost inescapable pull of life in a gang.
-
Why stylist Gok Wan believes there's no such thing as bad fashion
The fashion expert says we should stop following rules and do what feels right.
-
Is sending a CV still the right way to apply for a job?
They've been central to job applications for years, but are they worth it?