Neighborhood Resistance
If one were required to find a neighborhood that wanted a skatepark before it could be built, it often seems they would all be in industrial areas with no residential occupants. In reality, most neighborhoods that have a place for their skateboarding youth to enjoy themselves come to value the energy and activity that the skatepark attracts. Nonetheless, it is common to have neighbors who have little or no previous contact with skateboarders or skateparks develop very hostile reactions to the proposed facility.
WHAT ABOUT RAMPS?
Prefabricated ramps are often viewed as a good way of inexpensively appeasing the skateboarder's needs. Does this approach work?
The most effective argument that these skatepark opponents rely upon is the accusation that the Parks Department did not follow due process for selecting a site and/or notifying the public. The neighbors want to know that many, if not all, other available sites were considered, what criteria was used, and how “their” park measured up to the others. Serious advocates will have carefully documented the selection process and made those results as public as possible. The fact is that most people do not pay much attention to the parks in their area unless something is about to change. It is important that they understand that change is being considered before a designer is committed to that site.
