By John Leizear

It has been my experience that programming skateparks is as crucial to their success as any other recreational facility. Parks and Recreation Departments are constantly supporting their community's needs with programs. Skateparks should be no different.

Everything from yoga to pickle ball can be found in most Parks districts. Skateparks need that same kind of attention to untap their full potential. It is understood by most skatepark users that the is going going to be used on a daily basis and that it will draw a lot of pre-teen and teenaged kids, but we rarely view skateparks as places to host community events. The people are there now. Parks departments should be eager to capitalize on the skatepark's strength of being able to attract and retain this hard-to-reach constituency.

Programming for Success

The same skatepark committee that successfully advocated for the creation of the skatepark is in the perfect position to now focus their attention to the stewardship and programming of their new facility. Most parks departments have little experience with how successful skateparks function and simply measure the park's success by whether there are people using it without any problems. Because experienced skaters know that a skatepark can be much more than a "place to skate," it's critical that skateboarders assist in programming. Nobody wants a corny event that conflicts with the skatepark community's core attitudes. When programming decisions are made with an understanding about skateboarders' interests, the skatepark programs can quickly become a popular opportunity for the whole communty.

The first thing that jumps into most kids minds is a demonstration by a professional team or a contest. These are great things to incorporate into any skatepark because they stoke kids and parents alike. These types of events can be organized relatively easily with your local skate shop as they will have access to the necessary resources. Any parks department should be eager to see events being hosted and the skatepark become the center of positive, high-profile activity. 

There are lots of ways to activate the skatepark in the community as a whole. There are movie nights that screen the latest skate DVD, lock-ins where participants get to skate all night, and charitable events that use the park's unique properties and activity as a way to help other community groups. Charitable events in particular not only provide support to a good cause but they draw the interest of the community at large and so become community events. This is what skateparks should become; a community asset in every way. There are lots of ways to get the skatepark to become less about "just skating." It’s your skatepark and with good programming it will develop a strong sense of ownership from the local riders, pride among the community, and a happy parks department eager to see more successes like this from the skateboarding community.

Skaters for Public Skateparks encourages everyone to take a leadership role in programming their local skateparks. Chances are slim that the anyone else is more qualified for the job than you. With your guidance the skatepark will become a vital recreational component of the community.

10 Programming Ideas:

1. Skate Lessons
Offering lessons to inexperienced skaters is a great way to involve kids and their families with the skatepark. The parks department should be able to arrange the necessary planning, provide advertising, and so on.

2. Lock-Ins
Skateparks that are fenced offer a unique way to enjoy the skatepark; the ever-popular “Lock-In” where skaters spend the night at the skatepark with others and skate all night.

3. Movie Nights
A borrowed or rented projector is all you need to have a night screening of the latest skateboarding DVD. These are good opportunities to get parents involved as well as many don’t realize the finesse and toughness it takes to be a skater. Invite them to the show!

4. Charitable Events
These can be anything from a fundraiser to aid an individual in need to an event that raises awareness for a local charity or social issue. You might name this event something like Boarders Against Breast Cancer. These events have wide community interest and give the skatepark and skateboarders positive publicity. 

5. Fundraising
Events might be designed to raise funds for the skatepark's maintenance or improvements, or even another community project. Using the skatepark to help other community projects in particular is a great way to endear the skateboarding community to other community groups...particularly the ones that supported you!

6. Classroom Exercises
Skateparks can be used to demonstrate many things taught in the classroom, particularly those dealing with physical sciences. Skateparks make great educational field trips

7. Contests
An "Old Faithful" of skatepark programming. Organize a local contest and so who has bragging rights this month. Contests can be supported or even hosted by the local skate shop. They are relatively easy to put together depending on just how big you want to make it. You could simply have a best trick contest or go as elaborate as to have divisions with timed runs. Your contest, your way.

8. Demos
Everybody loves a Demo. Get in touch with your favorite Team and see if they can do a demo at your skatepark! These are great to bring the Parents to. There’s nothing like seeing rippers live in person, and you have a skatepark that can host them!

9. Rental Opportunities
Work with the parks department to provide a rental program for birthday parties, BBQ’s, or just a private session for friends. It’s cool when you can have it to yourself, and it is a way for the Parks Department to earn some money from the facility, without charging for daily admission or yearly passes.

10. Organized Sessions
Plan monthly get togethers with your crew. Bring the kids, music, food and your board and make a day of it. Having a constant positive presence at the park will show that the skatepark can be a place for picnics and other old-fashioned family fun.

— John Leizear