Chapter 5: Management

Graffiti

There is little that distresses an earnest skatepark advocate more than graffiti. Graffiti is a problem wherever teenagers congregate. Large, colorful murals are not usually the issue for most skateparks, but rather smaller marks collecting in areas where people sit. As much as the skatepark advocate may want to completely exonerate skaters from this type of vandalism, skateparks attract all types of kids—skaters and non-skaters—and graffiti is bound to happen.

The key to keeping graffiti in
check is to be diligent and remove
it as soon as it appears.

Prevention through careful siting and design is the best tactic, but there is little one can do to fully stop all of it. With new marks being removed as soon as they are found, people will be less likely to invest any time on their creations … and they will become smaller and more opportunistic in content and style. These smaller marks are usually drawn in indelible marker and can easily be removed if less than a few days old with solvents made for this purpose.

For larger murals involving thick coats of spray paint, it is imperative that they be removed immediately before the paint has had time to fully cure. Once cured, the enamel will form a hard shell and become impossible to remove completely, short of sand- or bead-blasting (which are not recommended).

There are many commercial products available producing optimistic claims about their graffiti-removing abilities. Though it is always a good idea to use water-based (citrus), environmentally friendly solvents, these are the least effective at attacking the marker or paint. It’s very important when using citrus-based solvents to clean the offense while it’s fresh (less than a few days old). Chemical solvents are more effective but are hard on the user and the environment, especially for larger, longer cleanings. A methylene-chloride aerosol will work very well on small, fresh marker or paint. Potassium-hydroxide solvents are not recommended for removing graffiti within the skateboarding area as they can leave a slick, invisible residue, but they might be appropriate for small marks where people sit.

Bead-blasting and sand-blasting concrete will attack the riding surface and are not recommended methods for graffiti removal. Anti-graffiti coatings are too slick and should not be used.