Small Skateparks Still Have A Lot To Offer

Small Skateparks Still Have A Lot To Offer.

Smaller skateparks, skate spots and skate dots make use of limited space in a community park. They are able to be designed to conform to an available plot of land where other sports and activities can not fit or take place. Many cities are investing in smaller skate zones spaced throughout the city with a large, central skatepark. The following features a variety of small skateboarding facilities that have been successful. They share common traits; They have been built to fit a smaller footprint, they are placed along other park facilities and they are easily accessed by the community they serve.

Small Skateparks

A small skatepark will try to include all of the typical skatepark obstacles:

Quarter pipe, banks, stairs, rails and ledges.  

Windsor, NB. This park is about 3000sq/ft(smaller than a basketball court) and features a 'China Banks' ledge.

Six Nations Skatepark, Ohsweken, ON. Custom features add to the greatness of this park.
See full review HERE.

Caesarea, ON. This skatepark fits into a narrow section of the community park.

Waterfront Plaza, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This 2400sq/ft park is smaller than a tennis court.

Parkdale Arena, Hamilton, ON. This little park has a bit of everything. The far side has a step up gap, a bank, a quarter pipe and a bank to ledge.

Springbank Park, London, ON. The lightning bolt design maximized surface area without having to remove any existing trees. 

Little Current, Manitoulin Island, ON. This park has a bit of everything without being cramped.

Dresden, ON. This park was designed and built for under $75000 in 2005. It's in great shape and this ledge/manny pad design would function alone as a multi-use skate dot.

Skate Spots

A skate spots smaller size can limit the amount of obstacles but a good design will make the spot fun and functional.

Orchard Skate Spot, Burlington, ON. Simple design with banks, 3 set and a narrow hubba. There's also a large paved sport court for games of SKATE.

Gravenhurst, ON. A transition based skate spot with banked elements.

Stonetown Skatepark, St. Marys, ON. This spot is a mini version of another park and features laid  flagstone on the sides on the ledges. Full review HERE. 

Delaware, ON. The success of St. Marys (above) skate spot prompted Delaware to copy the design. The original company was hired and produced something similar but new.

Naiomi-Almedia Skate Spot(above) & Basil Grover Skate Spot(below) London, ON. Both spots make use of a simple linear design. 

Sonoma Heights Park, Vaughan, ON. A skate spot in a large community park between a basketball court and the splash pad.

12 Oaks Park, Vaughan, ON. A transition based skate spot with some stairs and ledges. 

Jack Pine Park, Vaughan, ON. 4000sq/ft and fun to cruise around.

Hillside Skatespot, Vaughan, ON. 4200sq/ft including the basketball ball court. 

Skate Paths

An other type of skate spot is a skate path. These narrow spots are between 8 and 12 feet wide with spaced out features and are great for practicing lines or warming up.

Jubilee Skate Spot, Georgetown, ON. Like the sign says "Parks are for Everyone". More photos HERE.

Leitchcroft Skate Path, Markham, ON. More photos HERE.

Green Gate Skate Spot, Cambridge, ON. This laser cut flat rail support highlights this small spot and the ledge/manny pad is great.

Skate Dots

An item or two specifically designed to be skated.

Thompson Park, Aurora, ON. A Ledge and Rail in a small neighbourhood park.

Ray Street Park, Markham, ON. More of a art piece, this simple dot is aesthetically pleasing.

Walter Henry Park in Orillia, ON has a skatable quarter/bank next to the Basketball 1/2 court. 

Shared Community Space
Skateable areas worked into parks.

Stoney Creek YMCA, London, ON. This plaza area was built with metal edging in the ledges to allow for damage free skating.

Victoria Park, London, ON. Known as Ledge Land by locals, this spot in front of the bandstand is also used for public events. It is designated as a skateboard facility by the city and skaters are notified via social media when the ledges are removed for events.

Mount Pleasant Park, Richmond Hill, ON. Wave Ledge installed in this park was meant to used by skaters without designating it a skate spot. This eliminated the need for public consultation. Skaters are free to use the park as is anyone else. 

Mary Stewart Park, Richmond Hill, ON.  Another skateable ledge in a Richmond Hill park.

The Big O, Montreal, QC. Perhaps the most iconic Canadian skate spot, the Big O has attracted skaters from around the globe. Originally built for the Montreal 1976 Olympics, it was re-purposed by skaters. The president of the Montreal Impact Soccer Club recognized its importance and when the soccer stadium was expanded, the Big O was moved rather than destroyed.

City Wide Inclusion

Great article with additional links about Hull, UK 'consider skateboarding' into all new development where it can happen safely. KINGPIN MAG