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Skatepark Information - How to Get a Skatepark
New Braunfels' Change
Written by Peter Whitley   
Saturday, 05 September 2009 00:00
The New Braunfels park was not meeting the
community's needs. It was time to try another
direction.

In 2006, Cary Skinner contacted SPS Regional Director Carter Dennis about upgrading the modular skatepark in New Braunfels, Texas, to something bigger and better.

Cary felt that the modular park did not meet the needs of the community. She and her family had been to California and had visited many of their skateparks. By comparison, California’s skateparks seemed so much more successful than the park back home. She and her family had seen first-hand the benefits of a quality skatepark.

Carter, from SPS, happened to be aware of the modular park in New Braunfels; after a few years of use it was showing signs of wear and tear. New Braunfels is located between San Antonio and Austin and known worldwide for its rivers, theme parks, and other attractions. New Braunfels could very well be the perfect town for a destination skatepark.

Carter met with the Skinner family and found out Jim Skinner, Cary's husband, was a devoted surfer and skateboarder in the ‘70s. Their sons, Jamie and Will, are both skaters as well. For the past five years they had been building ramps at their house and skating nearby parks in San Antonio and Austin. With their experiences from other parks, Jim knew exactly what he wanted in New Braunfels. He wanted to name the skatepark after ‘JAWS’, a famous surf break on the island of Maui. The idea was to give the park a tropical and flowing theme. They formed a non-profit group to raise money for the skatepark named JAWS with the goal of creating a destination skatepark that the whole community would be proud of.

Fundraising events were held at the existing park which further reinforced the need for a new facility.

In the beginning, things started off small. The plan was to remove the prefabricated ramps and replace them with some longer lasting concrete structures. The Skinners began to hold fundraisers at the park; selling t-shirts, holding raffles and inviting vendors to set up booths if they agreed to give proceeds of their sales to the cause.  This fundraising activity raised awareness and garnered support outside of the skateboarding community. The t-shirts they sold read “Skate the Wave” to give tribute to the surf theme behind the park.

A few months later, Cary Skinner saw a perfect opportunity to get funding from the Tony Hawk Foundation (THF). THF gives grants to qualified communities interested in building skateparks. With community support and fundraising momentum, a THF grant was applied for. After months of hard work collecting data for their application, the Skinner family was successful in winning a $25,000 grant from THF…the highest available amount.

Although $25,000 may not seem like much, when the goal is to build a world-class skatepark, a THF grant can do wonders for giving credibility to an organization or project. After the New Braunfels project received the THF grant, more donations started rolling in. People who didn’t know about skateparks, knew Tony Hawk.

The city began to gain interest in what the Skinners were up to, and in 2007 they sent out a Request for Qualifications in their search for a skatepark designer. Long-time skatepark designer and builder Wally Hollyday was hired, and the Skinners came a step closer towards their dreams of a world-class facility.

The New Braunfels design featured a number of unique or uncommon elements, including a snake run.

Hollyday examined the site and felt the confines of the existing concrete slab were too constraining. As a result, the city agreed to choose an area next to the slab for the new skatepark, the existing prefab ramps would be removed, and the slab turned into a basketball court. After a round of public meetings and design feedback from the local skaters, Hollyday began drafting a design to meet everyone’s needs. The Skinners felt  two features would help characterize the theme of the new facility. One was the concrete over-vertical “clam shell” structure in one of the bowls. The second feature was a unique, (and uncommon in today’s skateparks), winding snake run. This feature was included to paid homage to the nearby Guadalupe and Comal Rivers.

Soon enough, Wally had completed the design the Skinners and local skateboarding community gave input on. Unfortunately, the design was 8,000 square feet over budget. The Skinners went back into fundraising mode. Two agencies came to the rescue. The Wurstfest, promoters of local economic development, saw the skatepark as a great opportunity to attract tourism. New Braunfels is known as a tourist town with the rivers and theme parks, and a world class skatepark made the perfect fit. The Downtown Rotary donated 25,000 dollars for the cause, and were the park’s second savior. The Rotarians work world wide in solving issues of children at risk, hunger, the environment and poverty and saw the skatepark as fitting with that mission.

Wurstfest
Local community groups, like Wurstfest, provided massive support to the new skatepark.

In October of 2008, the Skinners held one of their final fundraisers at the modular park. Local skaters built ramps and brought extra equipment to make this a special event. The skating lasted all day and at its finale the Wurstfest presented a $30,000 check to the skatepark project fund. On top of that, the city put $175,000 towards the project. The skatepark was very close to becoming a reality.

In early 2009 New Braunfels broke ground on the 17,800 square-foot facility. SPA Skateparks out of Austin, Texas was hired to do the construction, which took about six months to complete. After hundreds of yards of concrete, countless feet of steel tubing, and landscaping, (which was donated by Choate USA), the park was ready to open.

On Grand Opening day, the slab which once held prefab ramps was now a brand new basketball court, and next to that sat a newly completed world-class skatepark. Not only was this the biggest skatepark in South Central Texas, but the first park in the area with two bowls, a street area and a snake run. Hundreds of onlookers gathered around the skatepark while the skaters explored the two bowls, large stair sets, and the snake run. By the end of the day, it was estimated that approximately 3000 people had attended the grand opening.

Braunfels Contest
The Baker/Deathwish demo attracted hundreds of skaters from throughout the state.

Since its opening, the park has attracted visitors from all over the state. The park is conveniently close to Interstate 35. New Braunfels has set a new high-water mark for skateparks in South Central Texas.

Once the park was officially open, it attracted a steady stream of skaters every day. Goodtimes Skate Shop from San Antonio decided to open a third location down the street from the park. The owner chose the New Braunfels location over another in San Antonio due to the park’s success.

A month after the grand opening, Goodtimes Skate Shop hosted the first pro demo featuring big name skaters like Andrew Reynolds, Jeff Lenoce, Don Nguyen and Lizard King. Like the grand opening event, skaters from all over Texas flocked to New Braunfels. Some drove halfway across the state—from towns like McAllen, Victoria and Eagle Pass—for the chance to skate the park and meet their heroes. The demo lasted for hours. Local skaters skated with their favorite pros, and a follow-up autograph signing at the shop lasted until every last autograph was signed.

After the demo, Goodtimes signed a deal with the City to become recognized stewards of the park with the Adopt-a-Park program. The skateshop employees and team riders would play a critical role in the effort to keep the park clean and report any foul play.

Braunfels Demo
Pro skater Slash backside talisliding during the Baker/Deathwish demo.

The park is used by skaters of all ages every day. 44-year-old skater and San Antonio tattoo artist Dan Barnett visits the park three to four times a week. “We skate from 9:30am to 11am, then drive ten minutes into town and hit the river.” Having the river as a cooling off spot on 100+ degree days has made the park even more attractive to the skating community.

The New Braunfels skatepark is a great model for what a destination skatepark should be. Not only are the locals having a great time using the park, so are numerous tourists traveling up and down the I-35 corridor. These tourists help the local economy by staying at hotels, buying gas, eating out at restaurants and checking out local entertainment options.

The Skinner family is a shining example for every skater trying to get a park built in his or her community. They started with nothing but a flat slab of concrete and some aging prefab ramps. Through numerous fundraisers, years of grant-writing, and tireless attempts to rope in local businesses, the Skinners pulled it off.

Braunfels sunny day
The new New Braunfels skatepark is well-used and has been a great success for the community.

Jim Skinner says the future looks bright. In September, New Braunfels skaters are holding an event called the Rukus Rumble, then in October a Live2Sk8 Festival.They are also working on developing a music festival for the late Fall. On top of that, Jamie Skinner is developing JAWS decks and t-shirts to sell at Goodtimes in an effort to raise money for lighting.

We applaud the bold vision the Skinners and New Braunfels have brought to their community. Their dedication is an inspiration for skaters across the nation.

Last Updated on Monday, 28 December 2009 16:57
 
Skatepark Programming
Written by Peter Whitley   
Monday, 10 August 2009 00:00
Skateboarding Instruction
Skateboarding clinics and other programs is a fundamental tool in maintaining order at the skatepark.

Establishing a positive skatepark climate is an essential part of ensuring that a public skatepark will be utilized properly as it continues to be valued as an asset (and not a liability) by the local community. It is commonly said  “skateparks are a barometer for the community and neighborhood in which they are located.” Although a skatepark climate will be most heavily influenced by the accepted behaviors of the clientele it serves, a safe and positive skatepark atmosphere can also be fostered and encouraged by employing a number of different programming strategies. Every skatepark is different, but the needs for positive adult presence, as well as a strong sense of ownership from the local skaters are themes common to almost all skateparks. Establishing and cultivating this positive adult “presence” in skateparks can be achieved in a number of different ways. In a private or formally supervised skatepark the process is usually fairly simple as adults and older more responsible skaters are typically present as the staff performing day-to-day park operations and maintenance. Although it can take a little more thought and planning for unsupervised skateparks, a positive atmosphere that includes older skaters taking leadership roles can also be encouraged less formally through park programming and special events.

Undoubtedly the most essential and effective strategy in ensuring the long term success of most any skatepark is in designing a park that is accessible and safe for beginning skaters, yet still maintains enough challenging terrain to keep more mature and responsible skaters coming back for more. If a skatepark is constructed correctly, and employs creative and exciting terrain, advanced skateboarders will naturally want to perfect skills and continue to practice their craft there. A well-designed park can keep skaters engaged for decades while a poorly designed one can easily end up being the “flavor of the month,” inevitably rejected and abandoned by the “core” skateboarding community within a very short amount of time.

While designing a park correctly is easily the most important factor in ensuring its popularity with a large demographic of skaters, this factor alone cannot ensure ownership from the local skate community and a positive skatepark environment for all users. Lifelong skateboarders can be notoriously finicky and may quickly “shun” an out of control skatepark that is perpetually over-crowded with non-skaters loitering and inexperienced users continuously creating hazardous situations. Most skaters will testify that the act of skateboarding is an intensely individual pursuit, yet also very social in many ways as well. The reality is that an over-crowded skatepark with a frenzied climate of inexperienced or inconsiderate users is not only unsafe, but can also significantly detract from the essential skateboarding experience (regardless of the quality of skatepark design and construction). Experienced, responsible park visitors can become frustrated with the relentless distractions of a frenzied and hectic skatepark atmosphere, whereas experienced skaters will settle for skating less challenging terrain—either in or out of skateparks...often in the parking lot of the skatepark itself—where they can focus more clearly on practicing their craft.

So how can a community skatepark work to prevent or combat the lawless climate of an out-of-control skatepark before it is too late? One effective strategy is in offering a variety of different skatepark programs intended to help educate the less experienced users, as well as encourage older experienced skaters to assume leadership roles. Creating these types of programs can help to tame an out-of-control environment by empowering and educating users, and establishing a regular presence in the park of more mature skaters and responsible role models. Park programming can be as informal as free informational clinics facilitated by park stewards, or as formal as skateboarding lessons and camps incorporating structured coaching and camp activities.

Skateboarding classes, clinics, and camps can serve a real need in the community by teaching novice skaters skateboarding fundamentals safely and correctly, as well as the importance of practicing safe skatepark etiquette. Research illustrates that the first weeks of learning to skateboard are typically the most dangerous for skaters, and learning fundamental skills safely can help lower the risk of injury. In addition to helping prevent injuries by introducing less experienced skaters safely to the skatepark environment, programming can help to temper a reckless or overly aggressive athletic climate by encouraging informal supervision through the presence of park staff facilitating the programs and classes. Although these staff members may not be formally (or even intentionally) supervising the skatepark—much less enforcing the park's rules and recommendations—their presence alone will help encourage more responsible behavior from skatepark patrons. The presence of park representatives will not only help to promote responsible behavior among skatepark patrons, they can also help report possible issues to park rangers and maintenance personnel before they become major issues.

Another essential piece of creating quality programs for your skatepark or community organization is in employing qualified staff and respected members of the local skate community to instruct lessons and conduct events. An excellent resource for recruiting experienced and responsible staff can be the local skateboarding retailers. In most skateboarding communities the local skate shop is typically a central meeting place for skaters, and is almost always deeply connected to the local skateboarding scene. In addition, skate retailers view local skateparks as good for business and are thus inherently invested in their overall success. Some shops will even encourage their part-time employees or sponsored team riders to help out as instructors and staff as they can help represent and advertise the shop to the local community. Also, because of their retail accounts and industry connections, partnering your events with local skate shops can make finding quality equipment and sponsors for competitions and events immensely easier.

As every skatepark is different, management approaches and strategies will vary greatly, but incorporating a variety of quality park programming can provide positive results for almost any skatepark. Skatepark programming can help prevent injuries and avoid safety issues, discourage illicit behavior, and even help to temper the obnoxiously lawless climate that a mismanaged skatepark may develop. Just because a public skatepark may be free and unsupervised does not mean that a happy medium between formal supervision and an out-of-control skatepark cannot be found. The following outlines provide examples of options for programming in community skateparks. These programs can be offered during less busy hours and can also be designed to coincide with regular park usage. When planning these types of programs it is always best if your skateboarding educators are themselves experienced and responsible skaters. It is also prudent to utilize a structured teaching curriculum and implement staff training before beginning lessons and programs

Skateboarding Classes and Lessons

Beginning Skateboarding classes makes learning how to skateboard fun and safe. These skateboarding classes can be designed for novice skaters and anyone interested in learning how to ride a skateboard safely. Lessons focus on the development of control, balance, flexibility, and confidence. With these building blocks in place students are then prepared for a successful introduction to more advanced skateboarding skills and navigating skatepark terrain with other users safely. Structured lessons taught by trained instructors give beginners the chance to focus on the basics as they skate in a less intimidating environment than a typically busy skatepark. Implementing a curriculum aligned with physical education standards for lessons and camps can also make it possible to offer skateboarding classes and camps as a P.E. credit.

Skate Camps

Skate Camps can help young skaters learn new skills and utilize skateparks in a safe and supervised environment. Skate Camps should be held seasonally during holidays or summer vacations and are generally structured to bring together previously learned skills with more advanced terrain and maneuvers. Skate Camps can be designed for all levels of skating ability as they will work to refine and perfect the skills a student has already mastered while introducing them to more challenging maneuvers and new terrain. Skills taught in these camps and programs should incorporate a methodology that serves to connect them into a developmental series of progression and advancement. Skate Camps can incorporate instruction, supervision, and a variety of different skateboard activities into a day camp format.

Skatepark Tours

Skatepark Tours offered through after-school clubs or Parks and Recreation programs can be a fun and affordable way for kids to visit skateparks in a safe and supervised environment. Skatepark Tours can provide quality instruction and mentoring from advanced skaters as well as teach kids new skills and techniques while introducing them safely to new skateparks.

Skate Clubs

Skate Clubs are usually organized through Parks and Recreation programs, schools, or non-profit agencies. Skate Clubs will engage in a variety of skating activities including skatepark trips, skateboarding video and photography, or even building custom skateboards. Skate Clubs use skateboarding as a vehicle and reward to teach students essential life lessons and help keep them on track academically. In addition, Skate Clubs can be an excellent way for kids to make new friends and build self-esteem as they learn to overcome personal challenges and fears.

Competitions (Contests and Jams)

Another great way to support your local skaters and promote your community skatepark is through Skate Jams and Contests. Of the two types of competitions, Jams are generally less competitive, more casual, and can help promote the healthy benefits of your public skatepark as well as be rewarding and inclusive for all ages and abilities of skaters. Jams can be a great way for teens and kids to display their talents as they learn the rewards of setting and achieving their own goals. They may include events like best trick, highest ollie, or overall skatepark contests. Contests, by comparison, tend to be more formal with a judging panel and timed runs. The benefits of holding either type of competition at your skatepark is great and will provide something for skatepark users of every experience level to look forward to. These types of events will also create opportunities for partnerships between local skate retailers, the Parks Department, other community programs, and the skateboarding community.

Drop In Programs

Drop In programming is a term used to describe informal skateboarding clinics held at public skateparks on a regularly scheduled basis. Drop In classes are usually offered for free or at a reduced rate, and are typically open to the general public as they are designed to help teach novice skateboarders “skatepark etiquette” and protocol, as well as the fundamental skills and techniques needed to navigate and utilize a skatepark safely. During Drop In hours a trained member of the skateboarding staff is on site to answer questions, offer advice, and help make the skatepark experience as safe as possible. Like the classes above, it's important that experienced and capable skateboarders are providing the education.

With simple ideas like these, any community can return a "Wild West" skatepark to something that the whole community can appreciate and enjoy. If you have programming ideas you'd like to share, please visit our Management Forum or drop us a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in an educator in Portland, Oregon, and the author of Skateboarding: Instruction, Programming, and Park Design, published by Human Kinetics.

 
The Rise and Demise (and Rise) of a Skatepark
Written by Kelley Rogers   
Sunday, 05 July 2009 14:29
placerville_skatepark2.jpg
The Placerville Skatepark should have been a story about the power of skateparks, but instead...(Image respectfully borrowed from Concrete Disciples )

What do you do when the skatepark that everyone worked so hard to get finally gets built and does nothing but bring out the worst behavior in the park's visitors? What is the skaters' responsibility in this situation and—more importantly—how can they fix it?

Kelley Rogers of Placerville, California, found out the hard way. Faced with every skatepark advocate's worst nightmare, the Placerville Skatepark had become a magnet for every local thug and troublemaker. The skaters' park had been overrun by a bad element and it seemed like a no-win situation. Finally, the City shut the skatepark down with no plans to reopen it.

That's when Kelley stepped up to bat...

Read The Rise and Demise (and Rise) of a Skatepark: The Placerville Story

Last Updated on Monday, 16 November 2009 19:18
 
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