Site Components

Four components must be unified to locate the best skatepark site:

1. Visibility
Visibility ensures that people are visually aware of the skateboarders. All skateparks enjoy a large degree of spectator activity, but not when they’re tucked away in the “least controversial” areas of town. Hiding the skatepark gives the facility to those who wish to engage in hidden activities.

2. Comfort
At a minimum, site amenities should meet basic human needs, such as water and restrooms. Most skateparks provide ample seating and accessible areas to drop a backpack or set a drink. More and more skateparks provide cover and lights.

3. Access
Skaters and non-skaters will both need reasonable access to the skateboarding areas. Designating areas for different types of public users will suggest that the skaters present a dangerous group of park users or that the area itself carries some inherent risk.

4. Activity
More skateboarding areas are seeing the benefit of breaking down the barriers between “public” space and “skateboarding” space. Simple skateboarding structures can even be used by pedestrian park visitors in conjunction with skateboarders. It should be assumed that all park visitors are capable of sharing the space in a polite, responsible way.