I hate to say I told you so...
but here we go.
Update - The City plans on addressing the issues in Spring 2024, hoping a winter will help wear the slipperiness down. Sure.
Update #2 - Winter has weathered the mural but not in the way the city wanted. Areas are still super slick but a lot of patches have worn off. I had contacted the builders and their advice was to used a chemical stripper to remove the finish so the paint would stick. Obviously, the city/artist didn't do this.
Throughout the planning of the West Shore Skate Spot (WSSS) The City reps and I discussed murals, Street Art and what to do with the outer wall. It was eventually decided that WSSS would be a graffiti free spot and a mural was not part of the plan but could be discussed after the park was built. We even talked about a hedge along the wall.
It came as a big surprise when I was contacted about the mural project. Not a discussion about a mural or public consultations. The mural was happening. End of discussion.
I joined the Art Jury as a stakeholder to help direct the project. I met with the City and expressed my concerns.
1 - This spot already has some slick spots and a mural could make it worse.
2 - The only spot that 'needs' art is the outer wall.
3 - Covering the entire park with paint can mess with your perception of edges. Explanation - The Belleville Skatepark was painted by Mentos (yes, The Fresh Maker) and one stair set was completely 'Blued out', making it look like a ramp. I nearly ate it. From the top it's a uniform colour, making it look smooth. Only the shadow gave it away as steps.
Additionally, low vision skaters rely on the contrast between edges to assist their skating so I suggested not painting all the surfaces.
Well, we picked an artist who, with an artists collective, did two community consultations and aerosol painting workshops. A short time later, the concept came out.
I contacted the city with 'So, I guess we're painting everything?'
I worked with the Artist (& I must add, she worked to keep the park functional by adding a grit to the sealer). She had done other skateparks before. She worked on 8th Street Skatepark in Toronto.
I let her and city staff know there is a big difference between 8th Street, a skatepark that was built by a General Contractor, and WSSS that was built by Skatepark Experts. The GC completed park was much more porous and able to absorb paint without affecting the traction.
The sealant required 3 days to cure. We left the spot alone.
So the Mural was unveiled with the Mayor and city staff on a day that had been rainy up until the event. The wet park really helped the council save face.
When I skated it the next day, it was pretty much un-rideable.
Emails were sent to everyone.
The City with the Artist are working on solutions. To say they're working slowly is an understatement. Check out the latest nonsense HERE
Here's some suggestions for the future.
1 - No More Murals on Skate Surfaces. Put that 50k into the park.
2 - No more Honey Locust Trees near skateparks. They are the worst shedders of leaves and stems.
3 - Faux stone finishes on berms to avoid erosion problems.
4 - Benches. It took a year but WSSS now has the bench it should have had the day it opened.
5. Coloured concrete. Just do it. Markham is 20yrs old and still stands out.
6. Lastly, just listen to me ( other Experts & the people who use the park) from the start. I've been to over 500 Different skateparks & been a part of numerous advocacy and design campaigns. I have thousands of pictures depicting almost every obstacle imaginable. I've seen almost every skatepark problem & remedy. If I don't have a solution, I know who to ask. There are annual bowl competitions and none of them have been cancelled or impacted by a fresh coat of paint (see - Hoedown at the Hoof to AshBowlBash). It's hilarious that I've been accused of being nothing more than an 'Armchair Advocate' when locals know me as 'The Mayor' of the West Shore Skate Spot (I considered myself the custodian but I enjoyed the compliment).
*Update*
It's Spring and the Mural has not weathered well. The concrete sealer was not removed (as recommended by the builder) so the mural is only on a thin layer of sealant and not adhered to the concrete. There is much more paint flaking than anticipated and the areas with paint are no less slippery than last year. I grabbed some Dragon Formula wheels at Christmas and they seem to do the trick BUT, and this is a big but, my shoes (brand new) slip when I push. WTF.
The city seems intent on keeping the mural despite it being an utter failure. Repeated graffiti bashes the park. E-bike pecker heads have done burnouts through the paint. Flaking continues.
Double Update to come.
