The main tips to come out of the meetings with people who have built and run similar spaces are:
- it isn't all about the skaters though they can make the most noise (hear that skaters?) make sure there is enough happening for other people
- make sure parents are catered for with spaces where they can keep an eye on things without being in their kids' face
- make the ipod dock as vandal resistant as possible and set a max volume
- check if lights on the performing space are necessary or if events will happen in daylight most of the time
- get some skaters/riders to look over the plans carefully and make sure they are happy with the design
- provide shade
- get some programs and clinics going for when it opens
- consider finding someone with skater cred to undertake the maintenance and be the main contact for the park
- look at ways to have refreshments at the space rather than everyone needing to head off to the shops for something to eat and drink
- get the youth services deeply involved in the running of the space
- don't try to drop skate terms in conversation because skaters will think you are trying too hard to be cool when you obviously are not
- check and clean the space daily and clean it well - keep it looking good
- listen to the users and promote a good attitude and culture for the space
- talk to schools about running programs for students - safe use etc
- skaters may want full access 100% of the time without allowing for other uses such as events (sound right?) and this will need to be managed
- create provision for temporary artwork displays
- make it look good for filming because apparently skaters like to film, a lot
- try to have more than one performance space
That covers the main points. It was interesting that most of the issues that came up were around how to manage the space once it was opened and that it was good to have a balance of structured activities and helpful supervision without being around all the time. This is something we had not given much thought to yet and welcome any suggestions Canberra young people have.
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4 comments:
I personally don't agree with the comments about skateboarders wanting full access without being able to cooperate and be considerate of others. I also disagree with the suggestion that skateboarders would not be flexible to other people's needs. The document that the CSA put to the Chief Minister incorporated multifaceted ideas, not just skateboarding. That's why it got up. The fact that the CSA have been able to share ideas and agree with other user groups such as our partners in the ACT Youth Coalition and Communities@Work/Youth Services and also throughout this process with the strong BMX usergroup is testament to our ability to adapt and be accepting that there are other user groups in the community. Besides the hard work that Lea Durie in TAMs ACT Government has been doing, the CSA is the main reason this project is going ahead. Skateboarders often seem to get bad press and I would like to strongly refute that idea. Vandalism at facilities is predominantly non-riders who have nothing better to do. Riders appreciate the opportunities to have something to utilise. The CSA has assisted in running coaching clinics and competitions around Canberra for years. We could assist in the development of programs once the youth plaza is up and running. The CSA is a non-profit group.
Personally I'd like to see a big opening event to thank the Government and to promote this amazing space. I think the ideas about programs, refreshments, events, managing vandalism, safe use and multi-use involvement are excellent. I think the layout close to youth facilities and transport lends itself to accessibility.
Feel free to email me: luke@skateboard.com.au
thanks Luke - I hope you were not too offended by the comments - I wanted to put out there what had been experienced by other areas and to get comments on these as a potential issue. I know they were all very impressed by the great people we have here and the support of the community.
and having the CSA involved in developing programs would be fantastic I believe.
Hi,
I agree with Luke in total.
And the Bloggs comments in regards to:
1. Maintenance (this is currently something that does not work all that well at our current parks),
2. Shade,
3. Parent spaces,
4. Making facilities vandal proof (and most of the vandalism is done by non users of these facilities (why would we damage something that we use all the time?)
Another thing I would like to highlight, is that the comments (sort of negative) about skaters can actually be looked at in with a positive light in respect to:
1. We actually get of our backsides and take steps and action to try and get these new sorts of facilities created.
2. Maybe % wise we are one of the largest user groups of these sorts of facilities,
3. Most of these facilities are called skateparks so both:
a. Skaters tend to be the majority users,
b. Other users, BMXers, blades, etc may just get referred to as skaters (by default due to the term skatepark!)
Hey looking forward to the construction starting soon!
Dave Pang
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