2008 Summit Recap

Sunday, 25 May 2008

2008 Summit Successes!

On the weekend of May 17th advocates from all over the nation converged on Washington D.C. for a weekend of skatepark conversation. Like other SPS Summits the weekend centered on skatepark development. Advocacy techniques, strategies for fundraising, and siting and design principles were at the forefront of everyone's minds.

Summit Highlights

SPS executive director John Leizear hosted the weekend event.

• Skaters for Public Skateparks executive director John Leizear (VA) hosted the event. He spoke on the future of skateparks and their unique role in our communities. As the premier source of information for skatepark development and the ambitious projects currently being worked on, SPS is positioned for incredible growth in the coming years.

• Aaron Spohn (CA) presented an overview of Spohncrete’s services. While Spohncrete is known for its relationship with Barkman and its precast concrete structures, it was a surprise to hear that their designers will work with the community and create unique structures. That may interest communities who want the advantages of concrete with the speed of precast.

• Kyle Dion (B.C.) showed attendees where Newline gets its design inspiration and what they do with it. They appear to have an excellent grasp on skate spaces that look and feel accessible to the whole public rather than being for “skateboarders only.” This Canadian company has more and more U.S. projects in the works.

• Carter Dennis (TX) and Peter Whitley (WA) presented Skatepark Typologies and the emergence of the Skate Spot as a compelling skateboarding opportunity. Their presentation also exposed some of the 1st-generation prefabricated skate ramps that are ripe for drastic renovations.

• Ryan Cockrell (SC) gave attendees a report on how skateboarding bans did little to solve his area’s public skateboarding and instead has created a public and embarrassing conflict between local public agencies and their skateboarding youth.

• Miki Vuckovich (CA), executive director for the Tony Hawk Foundation, offered an overview to the THF’s grant program and selection criteria. As the nation’s only grant source devoted specifically to skateparks, their role in our collective mission is as vital as ever.

Lots of other SPS contributors and regional directors were present, including long-time SPS members Bill Helene (CT), Ben Jones (DE) and Martin Brovarney (CA). Loads of questions and comments came from public attendees. Some were excited about their local efforts and shared their experiences, others criticized SPS’ mission for lumping good ramp builders in with the bad ones.

Saturday continued with a field trip to Green Skate Lab, the nation’s most well-known green skatepark. The fill was built using junk cleared from the creek bed behind the site, concrete donated from extra material from nearby construction projects that would have otherwise been tossed out, and even the fence which was removed from a derelict site nearby.

Saturday evening’s highlight was beer, hotdogs, and skateboarding at D.C.’s gallery/private skatepark Fight Club. Hosted by D.C. local Stephanie Murdoch, the skating intensity was off the charts. The seminal skaterock band McRad played late in the evening.

Sunday was relatively quiet and SPS Directors met over breakfast for a hearty discussion on strategic planning and project coordination. SPS’ next year will result in bolder projects that will help communities make informed decisions.

Below are some of the pictures collected from the event.