The Rom Explained

The Rom
Architect:Adrian Rolt
Location:Hornchurch, East London, England
Built:1978
Area:8000sqm
Designation1:Grade II
Designation1 Offname:The Rom Skatepark
Designation1 Date:11 September 2014
Designation1 Number:1419328

The Rom is a Grade II listed skatepark in Hornchurch, East London, England. Built in 1978 and designed by Adrian Rolt of G-Force, it is the most completely preserved purpose-built skatepark in England. It is the first skatepark in Europe to achieve listed status and the second such structure worldwide.

History

The Rom was built and opened in August 1978 and named after the adjacent River Rom. It was designed by Adrian Rolt of G-Force. Rolt is considered the leading skatepark designer of the 1970s. In 1979 John Greenwood took control of the Rom skatepark and kept it open for skateboarders and BMXers until 2018.

In 2014 it was given Grade II listed status becoming only the second skateboard park in the world to achieve preservation status after the Bro Bowl in Tampa, Florida.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] Since the Bro Bowl has subsequently been 3D scanned, demolished, and rebuilt in a different location of the same park area[8] the Rom is now the only heritage listed full size skatepark in existence.

A film about the history of the park - Rom Boys: 40 Years of Rad is currently on general release on major streaming platforms.[9]

Layout

The skatepark occupies an area of . The central is surfaced in Shotcrete pressurised concrete.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: The Rom, Hornchurch, becomes first skatepark in Europe to get listed status. the Guardian. 29 October 2014 . 29 October 2014. Brown . Mark .
  2. Web site: Hornchurch's 1970s Rom skatepark given Grade II listed status. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hornchurchs-1970s-rom-skatepark-given-grade-ii-listed-status-9824300.html . 18 June 2022 . subscription . live. The Independent. 29 October 2014 . 29 October 2014.
  3. News: BBC News – London Rom skatepark given listed status. BBC News. 29 October 2014 . 29 October 2014.
  4. Web site: 1970s skatepark deemed a cultural gem given listed status. 28 October 2014. Telegraph.co.uk. 29 October 2014.
  5. Web site: British skatepark becomes first in Europe to get heritage status. ITV News. 29 October 2014.
  6. Web site: Why has English Heritage listed a skatepark?. 29 October 2014.
  7. Stott, Rory. "‘The Rom’ Becomes Europe’s First Listed Skatepark" 29 October 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed 29 October 2014.
  8. News: Demolition of historic Bro Bowl skateboard park begins. 16 June 2015. TBO.com. 10 April 2018.
  9. Web site: Rom Boys – 40 Years of Rad. www.imdb.com . en-US. 10 April 2018.