Why is it important to have community skate parks?

Safety is the big reason we need skate parks in our communities.  We need to keep the kids off the streets  because without a skate park, kids tend to linger there.  They prefer the flat, clean surface of the street which makes it easier to perform tricks and jump curbs.  See my blog entry on Stewey's Skate Park or watch the video below for a real life example of this.




Keeping kids out of trouble is another benefit of having a skate park.  Since a skate park provides kids with the surfaces and features they prefer to skate, it keeps them off of private property and public places where skateboarding is prohibited.  Most of these places which are off the street and safer, are the places kids are mostly chased out of.  Which forces them to skate in the streets.  SKATE BOARDING IS NOT A CRIME!!!  Let's not make it seem that way!

Improving the image of law enforcement to the kids is an essential reason for skate parks.  Because the police are chasing skateboarders out of schools, playgrounds, and business parking lots, this creates a negative image of the police in the kids minds.  My son never said anything bad about the police until he and his friends started getting chased out of the playground for using their skateboards there.  They are then told that it is OK to skate in residential areas, in other words, the streets.  It does not make any sense. 

Skate parks can be monitored with surveillance equipment to reduce the amount of illegal activities that may occur there.  Skate boarders have a bad image because of the crowd that chooses to break the law.  Thus making it more difficult for other skaters who choose not to participate in illegal activities.  Fact of the matter is, there are "bad" crowds in any kind of social setting.  Not just skateboarding.  Maybe we have to ask ourselves if the restrictions we place on skateboarders are not what is making some of them rebel against authorities.  Some communities build their skate parks within site of the local police station so the can be closely monitored.

For these reasons you need to appeal to your local government to provide a public, safe place for kids to skate if your community does not already offer one.  Even if it is an empty, fenced off parking lot for starters.  Community members can help raise funds to provide ramps, grind bars, benches, and other features that our skateboarders enjoy.  Some skate board related companies will even provide grants to build such facilities.  Other communities have done it, so can yours!

REMEMBER:  SKATE BOARDING IS NOT A CRIME!!! Let's not make it seem that way!

See also:  

What To Look For In A Great Skate Park
Manufacturing Design Standards & Recommendations for Public Skate Parks
Skate Project Outline Sample


Skate Park Association of the United States of America
Skaters For Public Skate Parks  



Resources for skate park designs:


Skatewave
American Ramp Company
Burke (sk8parks International)
Playworld
Solo Ramp
Wormhoudt Inc. (skateparks.com)

Some companies/organizations that may offer funding for skate park construction

More info from the state of Pennsylvania:
DCNR

Skate Park Project Outline Sample

Want to get a skate project started in your community and don't know what to do?  These guidelines may help out.  This is a project plan that I development my self for our own project.  Feel free to copy and paste!

SKATE PARK PROJECT
OUTLINE (Draft)

1.    Find a location
    a.    Determine feasible/safe location
    b.    If excavation/site preparation needed, estimate extra costs
    c.    If Borough/government owned, can we build it there?
    d.    If not Borough/government owned, can it be zoned to build it there?
    e.    County approval if needed?

2.    Design the park
    a.    Decide on skate park vendor and plan
        i.    Evaluate companies to see how they work, if the provide a consultant, warranty their equipment, etc.
        ii.    Get kid’s input on desired features
        iii.    Determine if an existing plan fits the space available and meets desired features
        iv.    Select the vendor.  Consider the following:
            1.    Quality of construction
            2.    Reputation
            3.    Warranty
        v.    Customize plan if necessary
    b.    Plan ancillary features (other than the skate surface/fencing/equipment)
        i.    Landscaping
        ii.    Benches for sitting
        iii.    Walkways
        iv.    Roof?  Consider the following:
            1.    Would be nice to make an all weather park
            2.    It would prolong the life of the park and equipment as well
            3.    It would require extra fund raising, need to estimate and consider
    c.    Consider Income generation to help with skate park/Recreation committee improvements (deciding this ahead of time may change design requirements)
        i.    Pay to use park (membership)?  Consider the following:
            1.    Would generate money
            2.    May discourage many from using the park and go back to skating on the streets
            3.    Would require personnel to man the park,  reducing income
            4.    Would increase liability by having the park manned and monitored
        ii.    Generate income from events such as competitions several times a year?  Consider the following:
            1.    Could generate anywhere from $30 to $60 per skater per competition, could have 3 or 4 throughout the year
            2.    Would encourage positive sporting aspect of skate boarding
            3.    May have to make the park size a little larger for this
        iii.    Summer skate camp
            1.    Could generate $200+ per skater per week/$100+ for a half day per skater per week (imagine doing this all summer long)
            2.    Would be a great chance for little ones to learn the sport
            3.    Would be a great chance for older ones to get involved and teach to younger ones and also give them something productive to do during the summer
            4.    Would require lots of planning
            5.    Probably would require at least some part of the park to be under a roof for inclement weather
            6.    Most likely would generate the most income other than charging kids admission
        iv.    Offer classes on weekends/some evenings
            1.    Local skate shops would most like be able to provide or recommend older adult skaters as teachers
            2.    Yet another source of income
    d.    Come up with a name for the park
    e.    Establish park rules and regulations
    f.    Final Estimate cost of development and set fund raising target

3.    Present Proposal
    a.    Gather community/local business signatures to endorse the park
    b.    Organize community support to be present at presentation to Borough Counsel and/or County
    c.    Draft the proposal
    d.    Draft the presentation
    e.    Meet with Borough/Government Counsel and/or County to present the plan
    f.    Get final approval from Borough/Government Counsel and/or County

4.    Raise funds to build the park
    a.    Establish a non-profit organization
        i.    File appropriate application with State and Federal government
        ii.    Establish a bank account
        iii.    Establish a web site
            1.    Who will host?
            2.    Who will develop?  Added cost or find local web designer to volunteer services?
            3.    Show planned location
            4.    Have ability to donate on-line via credit card
    b.    Corporate sponsorship
        i.    Get addresses for names of skate related companies
        ii.    Draft a form contribution letter and flyer stating our cause
        iii.    Approve form letter
        iv.    Send to corporations
        v.    Follow-up calls/letters
    c.    Residential/Local Business sponsorship
        i.    Determine best ways to raise funds
            1.    Door to Door?
            2.    Advertise web site in newspapers, etc.?
            3.    Direct phone calls?
            4.    Direct marketing-post cards/selling scratch cards, etc?

5.    Park Construction -- Phases can begin once the required fund raising dollar level is reached. 
    a.    Phase I
        i.    Site work excavation
        ii.    Retaining walls (if necessary)
        iii.    Pad construction
        iv.    Re-seeding disturbed grassy areas
    b.    Phase II
        i.    Gates/Fencing
        ii.    Ramps and equipment
    c.    Phase III
        i.    Ancillary features (walkways, benches, etc)

6.    Future Considerations
    a.    Storage area for storing unused ramps and equipment (may want to add and change ramps to keep the park interesting)?
    b.    Continue Skate Park Committee to plan competitions/events?
 
See also:  

What To Look For In A Great Skate Park
Manufacturing Design Standards & Recommendations for Public Skate Parks
Skate Project Outline Sample


Skate Park Association of the United States of America
Skaters For Public Skate Parks  
Some companies/organizations that may offer funding for skate park construction    

What To Look For In A Great Skate Park

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A GREAT SKATE PARK

1 A good variety of obstacles, keeping all abilities in mind. (Remember, this will be used by your local kids).
2 A good flow pattern throughout the skate park from obstacle to obstacle shall be applied.
3 A skate park design that offers both ramp and street skating obstacles.

4 Ensure proper, safe distances from obstacle to obstacle. Too much room between obstacles wears the kids out. Not enough room can be unsafe and too congested. Taller obstacles require more approach than shorter ones. Some obstacles require more landing room than others. Knowledge of how the obstacles are skated is very important.
5 Quality, durability and warranty of equipment offered. (Do your homework.) The equipment receives a tremendous amount of use. For your protection, use qualified contractors & materials that will stand up to Mother Nature and riders. Know what type of warranties are offered, exactly what they cover and how long they are valid. See if the warranty is pro-rated – ours isn’t!
6 A skate park should be designed for the majority of the community and not just for expert skateboarders. (Not all kids are Tony Hawk!). Don’t design for pros, design for your town’s skaters. Remember your kids.
7 Facility can and should be designed for use by: inline skaters, bikers, scooters and skateboarders.
8 Complete safety rails to be on all equipment 3’ or higher, when the safety rails do not interfere with the intended use of the obstacle. Skateboards can and will strike others below, if safety rails are not applied.
9 Approximately 200-250-square feet per skater is acceptable for most parks.
10 Ladders or steps on taller obstacles should not be allowed within any open park facility. If the skater can’t pump, feel and learn the balance from flat to vertical first they should not ride the pieces of equipment.
11 In an open park facility, be careful of the heights of obstacles. Equipment which is too high can create extra liability and some insurance companies will not cover a park that has very extreme, large equipment.
12 Signage is an important release in liability. Listing the requirements for safety pads and helmets, along with the other rules of the park is important for decreased liability. We can help you with our custom signage capabilities.
13 Purchase the park from a reputable company with many years of experience. Ask questions and get references. Are they insured? Can they be bonded? Ask about warranty. How many parks have they done? Are their parks still in use? How have they held up? Call their references. Like any other industry, “Buyer Beware!” Don’t waste money; buy durable the first time around! Professional manufacturers have quality equipment and spend many hours and many dollars researching and developing their products. (Go with the Pros).
14 Concrete pads are recommended and are much better than asphalt pads. Asphalt gets hot in the sun and gets soft. Puddles can be apparent. Asphalt does not have the structural integrity like concrete. Concrete can be finished smoother, accepts the equipment and is easier to mechanically fasten to.
15 Make sure the obstacles are securely anchored in place to reduce liability on the city.
16 Proper maintenance on a routine schedule by those responsible for the park must be practiced. (Checking siding screws and keeping painted). We provide you with a maintenance schedule checklist to help with this important task.
17 Proper installation of equipment shall include but not be limited to the following:
Make sure the obstacles have no sharp corners.

Make sure panels line up within an obstacle.

Make sure copings are not set too high. 3/8” max is recommended.

Make sure there is no puckering across obstacle seams, which can happen with bolt-through designs.

Absolutely no screws to be allowed anywhere on the skating surfaces. As wood swells, screw heads can snap off and can injure riders.

Properly designed structural under-framing (minimum of TS 2”x 2”) shall be used for proper weight structure of kids upon the decks of the obstacles.


18 We feel that the biggest skate park around is not the answer - but that more skate parks in and around neighborhoods are. You don’t have only one basketball or tennis court for the entire town to share. So, why expect to share only one skate park for the whole city? 

See also:  

What To Look For In A Great Skate Park
Manufacturing Design Standards & Recommendations for Public Skate Parks
Skate Project Outline Sample


Skate Park Association of the United States of America
Skaters For Public Skate Parks  
Some companies/organizations that may offer funding for skate park construction

Companies/organizations that may offer funding for skate park construction:

Some companies/organizations that may offer funding for skate park construction:

DC Shoes

The Tony Hawk Foundation

In Pennsylvania only: DCNR Grants
 
Allstate Foundation

American Eagle

Ben & Jerry’s

Bikes Belong Coalition (617/426-9222)

Brita Water

Coca-Cola Citizenship Sponserships

Community Development Block Grant- (CDBG)

Cybergrants

Enright Patterson tpatters@wfubmc.edu

The Foundation (info@skateplaza.com)

Home Depot

The Jenesis Group (817/581-1999;www.jenesis.org)

Motorola

Pay It Forward Foundation


Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (substance abuse grant) – 336/716-5170

Ronald McDonald House Charities (social services division) 630/623-7048

Snapple (Snapple.com)

SoBe (www.sobebev.com/about/contact.shtml)

Sprint (www.sprint.com/sponsorships/)

Target (Target.com)

Tropicana

Other possibilities:

• American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
• Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Best Buy
• Boeing Company
• California Community Foundation (CCF)
• Capella University
• ChampionHanes
• Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
• Disney Channel
• Eli Lilly and Company
• Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
• Genentech
• Goizueta Foundation
• Hearst Corporation/Good Housekeeping
• HUGGIES® Little Swimmers®
• IBM
• JCPenney
• JCPenney Afterschool Fund
• John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
• Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Kraft Foods Foundation
• Kresge Foundation
• Lance Armstrong Foundation
• Lumina Foundation for Education

• McNeil Consumer Healthcare
• National Park Service
• Nike N7 Fund
• Northwestern Mutual Foundation
• PepsiCo, Inc
• PepsiCo Foundation
• Perry Ellis International/Nike Swim
• Precor
• Randstad USA
• Reader's Digest
• Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation
• The Redwoods Group
• Sam’s Club
• Shapiro Foundation
• Tyler Ugolyn Foundation
• UnitedHealth Group
• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
• U.S. Bank
• USA Swimming Foundation
• Visa
• Walden University
• Warnaco, Inc./Speedo

See also:  

What To Look For In A Great Skate Park
Manufacturing Design Standards & Recommendations for Public Skate Parks
Skate Project Outline Sample


Skate Park Association of the United States of America
Skaters For Public Skate Parks 

Manufacturing Design Standards & Recommendations for Public Skate Parks

A skate park shall not be placed in low lying areas (flood plains). Consult your local city engineering dept. for soil conditions for pad/concrete pour details. No expansion joints should be larger than 1/4” wide, then caulked with expansion joint sealer. Recommended slope on concrete pad is .5 % maximum with a smooth trowel finish.


A proper skating “flow pattern” shall be outlined throughout the skate park using arrows of flow on 2D design layout.


All skate park obstacles shall be fully sided with a min. 14 ga. galvanized sheet steel to avoid hiding places and homeless shelters.


All obstacles are to be anchored to the pad at all times to insure no movement of the obstacle; this lowers liability.


42” safety rails are required on three sides of all obstacles 3’ and higher as long as they do not interfere with the use of the obstacle.


Absolutely no screws shall be allowed anywhere on the skating surfaces. Wood obstacles may swell & screw heads may snap off injuring riders.


Properly designed structural under-framing (minimum of TS 2”x 2”) shall be used for proper weight structure of kids upon the decks of the obstacles.


Obstacle levelers shall be adjusted prior to use to ensure smooth transitions to the concrete.


Copings are not to be set too high (3/8" maximum); proper attention must be given to this for it will help avoid hand-ups.


All copings and grinding rails to be composed of capped stainless steel seamless pipe.


Obstacles are to have no sharp corners. This will help avoid injuries to riders on and around the equipment.


Panels are to line up within an obstacle to insure proper installation of the equipment.


Light paint colors are to be used on the skating surfaces. This will eliminate any heat concerns on steel obstacles.


Ensure that there will be no puckering across the seams of the obstacle. This can happen with some bolt through designs.


The thickness of product used - steel, plastic or wood - shall be able to accommodate the gouging of bike cranks and trick pegs.


Proper signage displaying rules, the phone number and address of nearest medical facility should be posted in case of an emergency.


Safety equipment/pads should be worn at all times at all skate parks to help avoid serious injury.


For safety reasons, keep an area open around all double and walk-in gates on fenced skate parks.


All obstacles in every skate park shall be set back at least 4’ from the perimeter of the pad.


A scheduled police patrol should be practiced at every skate park on a regular basis. Contact your local police department.


Approximately 200-250 square feet per skater is recommended within all skate parks to provide adequate room for all skaters.


No motorized vehicles are allowed on skate parks. Skate parks provide use for in-line skaters, BMX bikers and skate boarders.


Every skate park should offer both ramp and street skating obstacles as well as obstacles of different heights for all skating abilities in mind.


All skate parks should have obstacles of different heights for all skating abilities in mind.


KNOW YOUR ABILITY -- No steps or ladders should be allowed on taller obstacles in an open park facility. If a skater can’t skate to a platform, they should not skate that obstacle until they are more advanced.


Spectators, family & friends should stay a minimum of 25’ away from park to avoid being struck by boards unless park is fenced.


Skate park must have proper maintenance on a routine schedule by the city (checking anchor bolts and keeping painted when applicable).


Engineering Specifications: Steel Strength: 
Load Calculation: Joist: 46 ksi
Live Load: 60 psf Angles: 36 ksi
Wind Load Min: 7.2 psf - 70 mph Pipes: 35 ksi
Dynamic Load: 75 psf 
Seismic Load Limit: Zone 3 
Sliding Resistance: 38.4 lbs. / sf of ramp surface 

Please feel free to call us at (877) 891-1283 if you need help with your skate park project
or with any other questions or concerns you might have.

Resources for skate park designs:


Skatewave
American Ramp Company
Burke (sk8parks International)
Playworld
Solo Ramp
Wormhoudt Inc.(skateparks.com) 

See also:  

What To Look For In A Great Skate Park
Manufacturing Design Standards & Recommendations for Public Skate Parks
Skate Project Outline Sample


Skate Park Association of the United States of America
Skaters For Public Skate Parks  
Some companies/organizations that may offer funding for skate park construction