Another Open Letter

 Another Open Letter 

To Whom it may Concern.

On several occasions I have attempted to contact the City about Chinguacousy Park Skatepark with no response.  Brampton has a thriving skateboard scene but the skatepark users feel largely ignored by the city when it comes to both the design and needed repairs to the skateparks located around the city. 

The current Chinguacousy skatepark was opened in 2008 and the old modular ramps were moved to Memorial Park on McMurchy. It was designed by Spectrum Skateparks, a very well regarded skatepark design firm. It was constructed by Rutherford Contracting, and while the park is loved by locals, there are several features that would have been improved had the contractor been more familiar with the intricacies of skatepark construction. The transition on the quarter pipes is lumpy, there are gaps in the angle iron and the concrete does not appear to have been sealed properly.  

Chinguacousy Skatepark Ledge to Transition vs a smooth, Skater Built Ledge to Transition 

The City had previously taken action on issues regarding the skatepark. The original planters contained mulch that would end up as hazardous debris on the park. The mulch was removed and the planters were filled with concrete. 

Before and After mulch removal

The City also identified areas of concern at some point using orange marker paint but repairs were never made and the orange faded to white over time. Since 2019, I have made several 311 requests for repairs to the park, both by phone and email. I have yet to receive a reply. Also in 2019, a Change.org petition was created by a local skater to have the city address the needed repairs. In October of 2021, a crew showed up at the park with some city staff and I was informed that repairs were beginning. 

A few days later, the park was fenced off as repairs continued (I was not informed the park would be closed). When the repairs were finished and the fences gone, I was very disappointed to see some of the park's biggest issues (the bowl & some other major cracks and gaps) had not been addressed.  

The minor cracks and gaps were addressed while major issues in the bowl were ignored.

Early concepts for the Skatepark included space for a phase 2. With the later addition of more beach volley ball courts, an expansion to the skatepark is unlikely but skatepark users would have appreciated the same evening lighting that the volleyball courts received. While there may not be space for a significant addition, there is room to create a proper new bowl to replace to current 3/4 bowl. 

Through my research, I've found very little in regards to city wide policy on skateparks.  This lack of direction has led to several bad skateparks in Brampton. Worthington skatepark appears that the general contractor of Worthington Park attempted to create a skate spot with no knowledge of skatepark construction. Andrew McCandless Skatepark has a set of stairs that lead directly into the back of a ramp and the flat rail was stolen within the first year. 

 Stairs into the back of the bank & evidence of a stolen obstacle.

When the Gore Meadows Skatepark was moved to its current location, it was moved from a smooth asphalt pad to a concrete pad with a rough broom finish that runs perpendicular to the flow of the park. Users of this skatepark find the rough surface slow and acts like a cheese grater on flesh.  

Like 60 grit sandpaper, only worse.

I acknowledge the skatepark at the Jim Archdekin Rec Centre was updated in 2018 and there are plans to build a concrete skatepark at Gore Meadows but the majority of the current skateparks are Skatewave Ramps, a product that was discontinued in 2017.  The Skatepark Project (formerly The Tony Hawk Foundation) considers modular skateparks as temporary skateparks and stopped providing grants for them in 2012.  Many cities have been replacing their old, modular ramps with concrete skateparks. Halton Hills is even replacing an outdated concrete skatepark with a modern concrete skatepark.

London's White Oaks Skatepark, Before and After replacing the aging ramps with a concrete skatepark.

The City of Brampton created a Parks and Recreation Master Plan in 2017 which includes a small section on Skateboardin & BMX. Many Cities, including Toronto, Hamilton and Pickering, have created in depth skatepark strategies that address the needs of the Skatepark Users and other members of the action sports community (Bicycles, Scooters, Skates etc).  

Beamsville's Rotary Park features a Skatepark & Pumptrack with other park features.

The City of Brampton needs a Skatepark Strategy that directs to development of future skateparks, pumptracks and dirt jumps, encourages public engagement with skatepark users( public engagement appears to have only been sought for Chinguacousy park and Gore Meadows 2022).  The proposed Mississauga/Embelton Community Skatepark will be a great chance for skaters to advocate for what they what in a skatepark if they are made aware of the project. Skatepark users need to be engaged with posters or flyers at the skatepark, community centers and on all forms of social media.  I was only made aware of the Gore Meadows project by a friend who forwarded a Brampton Guardian article.

As of 2021, Skateboarding and BMX are Olympic Sports. Skateparks have been packed with skaters of all ages, gender identities and backgrounds. The skatepark users of Brampton's 9 skateparks (There is a Skatewave Ledge at Minaker Park, creating a skate dot) are ready and willing to engage with the city to make Brampton's Skateparks outstanding if the city is willing to engage with them. 

Minaker Park Skate Dot

I look forward to a reply and discussions regarding the concerns expressed above. Please contact me with any questions regarding skateparks. I've been to a few, 451 to be exact. 

Scott Loyst

Spott Dreams of Skateparks

Brampton 311 Requests  - COBI-6606219, COBI-797357, COBI-280253