The Language of Skatepark Advocates

As most skatepark advocates are skateboarders, there is usually one thing that they’d rather be doing—skating. Most city officials in contact with the public are accustomed to citizens inexperienced in public policy or the processes for making capital improvements. Here are some ways that city officials can reach skaters.

Be Patient
The local skatepark advocacy group may be driven by the enthusiasm of a few young adults with little professional experience. They will make mistakes. Expectations and priorities may need to be adjusted. The local group will need help.

Share Your Concerns
Skateboarding is about “going for it.” It’s filled with risks that scale with the difficulty of the trick. Skatepark advocates may not have a clear sense of which challenges to the process are significant and which are trivial or procedural. If the city administrator can illuminate where their group can be most effective, the skatepark group will quickly gain valuable experience, confidence, and independence.

Be A Believer
Skateparks have been controversial for as long as they’ve been built on public property. Skaters are usually not surprised when their needs go unheard, and they won’t be surprised when the interests of other influential groups are casually prioritized ahead of the skatepark plans. Skaters, being without clear political leverage, need staunch allies in City Hall. You can be that ally by sharing the advocate's vision for this vital project.