Chapter 4: Design

4. Other Activities
Almost all skatepark aficionados have visited the “lonely skatepark” that is situated off in some remote corner of a park. Nothing else happens near it and people rarely walk by and never stop to watch. This environment is desolate when weather doesn’t allow skateboarding. This park does not provide any social interaction to its user except from the peers at the park itself.

The best skatepark sites have lots of
other kinds of passive and active users
in the same vicinity.

Skateparks can and should be a vital component to the larger community gathering space just as skaters are a vital component of our larger community. While skateboarders are eager to celebrate the products of months or years of dedication, other park user groups can demonstrate their own expertise. With enough groups sharing a space, the area itself takes on an identity based on diversity and acceptance—a trait that no urban planner would deny is beneficial.

An area’s activity will be in direct relation to the value that the surrounding community places on the site. These values are evident in the property or rent values, nearby business ownership, and retail activity.