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 Site Selection Criteria |
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Site selection criteria
Intro
"The most popular & successful placement of skateparks has been alongside community parks, recreation centres, & schools. As with all aspects of planning, the skaters should be consulted. If they don't like the site, the facility won't be used. One other idea is to use land which is unsuitable for any other use. These sites are usually totally unsuitable, but this thought sometimes produces great results." --Jim Barnum, Skatepark Creation Process CD
Photo gallery - skateparks near playgrounds
"Community building & humanity are pillars of parks planning. Your skateboard facility, if properly planned, can dramatically affect your youth & their connection to the community & their elders." --Jim Barnum
Site selection criteria used in Annapolis Royal AHSA used the same criteria to evaluate 5 sites in and around Antigonish.
Two excellent resources:
1. Skateparks at a Dead End, by skateboarder/lawyer Tom Miller, Portland, Oregon, published in Landscape Architecture Magazine, Sep 04 - Download "Skateparks at a Dead End" (4-page pdf file) / View article online / (Who's Tom Miller?)
--In this article Miller stresses the importance of placing a skatepark in a high traffic area, which provides built-in supervision, aka community policing. (CPTED on RCMP website)
"The closer to schools or other youth centers the better."
"Adult supervision is critical, but the kind of adult supervision is even more important. When possible, siting skateparks within existing high use areas, such as busy parks or near town centers, establishes the best patterns of oversight. A steady flow of spontaneous spectators and passersby creates consistent de facto supervision which rewards skaters with a needed sense of community inclusion as well as safety and security."
"Encouraging community policing of the skatepark through site design has proven to be the cheapest, most effective way of ensuring youth use the facility for the parks intent: skateboarding."
It's important that supporters of skateboarding, rather than the sport's detractors, determine the site.
2. Site Selection Advice from Jim Barnum, Canadian skatepark designer (Spectrum Skatepark Creations)
source: skatepark.org
Key Consideration
Inclusion of your skateboard facility in an existing community park area conveys positive community acceptance. Town policy makers can take this proactive step towards making the youth feel received & approved of. A site of this nature brings different types of people together, making interaction & learning possible. In the case of a skatepark, this type of location provides a rare opportunity to connect with the typically hard to reach, "non-joining" & often misunderstood youth. When given the chance, these kids prove to be friendly & intelligent with plenty to offer the community.
Including the skatepark in an existing facility can take care of some of the following criteria:
central location
proximity to public & private transit
proximity to parking
available number of parking stalls
foot & bike access
high pedestrian traffic area (for safety, security, monitoring, & showcasing this dynamic sport to the public through non-threatening viewing areas- --people love to watch.
spectator accomodation [two areas: one close for the skaters & youth, the other slightly removed for everyone. Also provides safety from flying boards etc. -see above.
shelter
storage area [for brooms, rails, pads, etc., run by a skateboard club or the town]
water fountain
washrooms
lighting (contrary to popular belief, this curbs night time problems)
telephone (for safety & emergencies)
trash cans
concessions (possibly run by or employing a skateboard club or youth group)
Further, if constructed within an existing park, parents are likely to be comfortable leaving their kids to skate while they enjoy other areas in the park. Location can potentially bring families & the community closer together. This is an essential part of park design & landscape planning.
Other Considerations
size (minimum 10,000 sq. feet/ 930 sq. metres)
expansion potential (many communities surveyed said "should have made it bigger" & "twice the size")
topography, soils, drainage, vegetation & environmental concerns, underground service conduits
proximity to business & service district [this strategy is to keep your park close to the "skateboarder problem" if there is one, drawing directly from the problem area. It also allows the youth access to concessions & the community in general.
construction & maintenance access
emergency access
visibility (parents, police, emergency services)
neighbourhood & surrounding area impact (visual & sound--these are minor concerns )
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Sep 1, 2010
Upcoming events
Sept. board mtg TBA
Photos-New/Old/Older
Year in Review 07-08
Newsletter--Apr2007(pdf)
Clippings Jun03-Apr08
AHSA on facebook
Shopping
Nova Scotia sk8parks
AntigonishEventsCalendar
Halifax movie Roller Town looking for roller skaters / Roller Town facebook page
2010 Skate & Create / 2009 winner, etnies The Legend Of Boxton Square
HOLY ROLLER (2nd vid has music)
Where we are, July 2010
Rolling with the punches, The Casket, Jul 26, 2010
Town trying to find site?, Jul 21, 2010
Request for space for halfpipe turned down, June 21
A safe, fun summer, Chronicle Herald, July 19
A new skate park for sick old tricks -Globe and Mail
The Chronicles of Zander, June 12; Trailer & poster
Northside Youth Centre & Indoor Sk8park Grand Opening, Fredericton, NB; sponsor: East Side Board Supply
Playgound installation May 15, photos
Spryfield park open; vid
Everyone wins, vid about youth engagement produced by NS Dept of Community Services
Local: Big Air in Bedford
To Fix Bridge, Skateboard Mecca May Be Lost for Years, Brooklyn Bridge, NY
2010 AGM / President's report / new board
Pics, Jeff at Moncton sk8park
BMX enthusiasts out of winter hibernation
Dedication unrewarded, Letter to the editor of The Casket, Apr 14, 2010
Local talent - sk8 vids featuring Brennen Breen: couldn't breen / brennen breen this is antigonish / Halifax commons skateboardin / scooter vid featuring Ryan Rossong: Beaver Gone Wild
Danny Way Stepping Aside as His Creation Soars
Connecting to a Culture Using 4 Wheels / Related: 4Wheelwarpony
Bob Biniak of Z-Boys, Dies at 51
Skatepark planned for Amherst, NS / Many benefits to be had in skate park
Snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White on the value of skateboarding
For Tony Hawk, the Skateboard Is a Canvas
A stunt cyclist's Tour de Fence / Danny MacAskill on Youtube
Bridgewater sets aside land for skateboard park, Bridgewater Bulletin, Oct 20,09
AHSA volunteers at HUNGRY4CHANGE banquet, Aug 11 photos
2009 HG parade photos
1st Annual Arichat Skateboarding Competition - photos
New sk8parks 2008/10
Spryfield
Bridgewater (planned)
Chester
Saint John
Truro
Glace Bay
Fall River / slide show
Amherst (planned)
AnnapolisRoyal (planned)
Why a skatepark?
Site selection criteria
Sk8parks & playgrounds
Wear your support, buy a tee
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