A quick 2020 rant.

 A quick 2020 rant.

Anyone who's read this blog or followed my Instagram for a bit knows that I have my ear to the ground of the skatepark industry and I'm willing and able to dig in the right places to get information on skatepark projects. 

So this story begins with a question from a dude on Insta about Grandview Park in Markham.

I dug and found him the design, found out who was building and found out they were already on the project ( gonna withhold the company name for reasons you'll see later).

Meanwhile, I was bored one day and emailed the City of Markham asking about a 'Micro Skate Spot' that was part of the early plans for the Southeast Community Centre, later named Aaniin Community Centre. I, of course, included a screen shot from an early presentation that included the skate spot information.

Not the greatest shot but there it is in black & white.

A few weeks went by before I received a response from a Recreation Director. He stated there were never plans for a skate spot at Aaniin CC and that Markham has a nice skatepark at Centennial Park. 

I SENT EVIDENCE!!! I would have accepted almost any other answer that wasn't so stupid such as 'the skate spot was cut from the project early in planning' etc. 

I informed him that I enjoy Centennial as well as the other 5 skate spots in Markham. I asked why, after previous emails with parks staff, the other spots where nowhere on the city's website.

No Response.

A day or so later I got another email from an assistant to someone in Recreation Services. She informed me the Markham has only one skatepark but has some rails in other places but nothing official. 

"Nothing Official"

There are also some plans for some other locations in Grandview Park, Boxgrove and Cornell but has no information at the time. I knew from my contact that Boxgrove Tender had already been awarded and a skatepark specialist had already been subcontracted for the spot.

I thanked her and let her know I had been in contact with someone with the city but never heard from her again. She discovered that person no longer works for the city. (check out that interaction HERE)

During all this I was contacted by a Markham skater who lives near and frequents the Greensborough mini-bowl.  Check out that post HERE.

He filled me in on his desire to have the park expanded and the issues with the landscaping. The wood chips in the surrounding planters were being washed into the park any time it rained. I told him 'I doubt you'll get an expansion but ask for both and accept the landscaping change as a success'.  

I also received a message showing a completed Grandview Skatepark from the builder.

 I sent an email to the Assistant asking who the Mini-bowl Local should send their concerns to and that I got a shot of the finished Grandview park.

Her response "Do you know who sent the pictures to you??"

With no mention of the rest of the email, I could only imagine she wanted to get some one in trouble.

I said I'd check my DM's and do you have any advice for the bowl guy?

Bowl guy had sent a general email to the city and gotten a response which eventually led to the removal of the wood chips, so score 1 for the good guys.

The Response

"My guess is that is probably the same contact were you able to confirm?? I can check with urban design"

I don't know what that means but with the mini-bowl win and the knowledge that I know more than city staff, I put this one to bed.

Here it is! My 400th park.