Chapter 5: Management

Fences
Fences are installed around skateparks for a variety of reasons. They are usually intended to separate nearby activities. Skateboarders are no stranger to negative preconceptions, and it is not uncommon that fences are installed to be able to manage access—to close the park to maintain hours of operation or to reprimand the skaters who don’t comply with park rules.

Fencing a skatepark may compound problems by helping create an atmosphere only a criminal would love.

Skaters often refer to these types of secure facilities as “skate jails” due to their exercise-yard like appearance. As mentioned earlier, skateparks should appeal to the types of people they are designed to attract rather than depict a divisive environment. The skatepark should be inclusive and open for broad interaction. Surrounding the skatepark with a fence usually sends the wrong message to the skaters and the general public about the activity occurring within its perimeter.

Fences can create a barrier to keep loose boards from leaving the park, but there are other creative ways to accomplish this same purpose. The creative positioning of ledges and low concrete bunkers, for example, would make a chain-link fence unnecessary. Unlike tennis court fences that are designed to stop missed balls, skatepark fences are usually installed for security purposes. Some progressive skatepark designs use short ledges to surround the skating area. This solution traps wayward boards, provides ample seating, and does not obscure visibility or discourage non-skaters from interacting with the skaters.

When installing a fence it is vital that entry points are positioned along desirable pathways. Skateboarders are athletic youth who may casually scale a fence if they see no harm in it. Once the fence is considered a mere inconvenience, it will become very difficult to secure the park for any reason. When entry points are inconvenient, the fence essentially trains the park visitors to disregard it. To prevent climbing, slats can be installed in chain-link fences, but this reduces visibility into and out of the skatepark and may encourage illicit activities.

Hedges and other landscaping devices can provide the necessary traffic control while keeping the park attractive to all users. Like most general park visitors, skaters would rather recreate in an area with greater liberties and points of egress. Conversely, the most effective barriers for skateboarders are wet areas and deeply textured or rough surfaces. Skateboarding is an individualistic and inventive activity. Recreating in a “pen” is counter to this creative form of exercise.