Ingersoll, ON
The park is located behind the Fusion Youth & Technology Centre @ 121 Thames St N but parking and access is from John St.
Edit of the 12 park day trip
Saturday, 28 May 2022
Friday, 29 April 2022
Alloa Green Park
Alloa Green Park
Brampton, ON
Brisdale & Remembrance
When I spoke with the Brampton Parks Director recently, he mentioned that some of the skateparks in Brampton come as a surprise to the city. This is another one. Somehow installed four years ago, this cookie cutter pre-fab has the typical layout and issues.
Friday, 1 April 2022
Post survey
West Shore Skate Spot - Post Survey
1. RE: requests for FS/BS hubba. The current design of Feature M creates a hidden area that is not passively observable. As part of the integral barrier it still needs to remain in some form but it could also descend like a hubba, creating the second FS/BS hubba.
3. Re: China Banks Feature (K) The current design is perceived as having too tight an angle to hit the ledge. Some of the renders look tight and some don't look as difficult. perhaps mellowing the hips and extending the ledge 6-10" would help. Mt Albert has a similar feature. It was cut back making it more challenging but its placement is not difficult to approach. The hips are a bit gnarly.
(current perception vs how it needs to be perceived)
Removing the ledge would defeat the purpose of a China Banks Ledge as it's based on a SF skate spot.
4. Re: Curved ledges. Curved ledges are fun. An alternative would be a small bank (~1-2' tall) with ledge of curb or clamshell QP
Saturday, 5 March 2022
West Shore Skate Spot Concept
West Shore Skate Spot Concept
Transition Construction and Scatliff+Miller+Murray are out with their concept design for the West Shore Skate Spot. This Spot has been over 7 years in the making (Check out the long process of getting HERE).
The concept includes viewing benches, Pier 7 Ledge, China Banks Ledge Feature, Rail and a Quarter Pipe. There is a SURVEY running for ~2 weeks. Check out the Project and Survey HERE. LetsTalkPickering.ca/skatespot - SURVEY is now CLOSED!
I think this design is amazing and much more than I anticipated. There are, of course, some negative people who either don't like the design or don't like the project.
To the NIMBY's I say - The time to oppose the project has passed.
To the skatepark users who don't like the height of the ledges or think there should be more rails I say - You haven't been involved in the project until now so shut up and support this & I'll support you when you decide to get involved. The success of this project with parlay into more action taken on the Skateboard Park Strategy.
I have no timeline for the decommission of the current skatepark so it's not going anywhere. I'm in full support of continuing (& increasing) the legal graffiti walls but the city has decided this spot won't be a graffiti zone. It may have murals on a permission basis. The West Shore Community Centre already has security cameras and I've heard that more will be added to include the skate spot.
The BIG, Civic Centre park is still in location planning, I've been asked about a spot in Seaton and The Skateboard Park Strategy calls for a total of 2 Big Parks (Downtown and Seaton), 7 Spots (5 in the core, 2 in Seaton) & small parks in rural areas like Claremont if requested by the community.
Anyone Opposed to the project as a whole will probably never change their mind but here are the resources I'd back my arguments with.
1. The Pickering Skateboard Park Strategy
2. The Urban Grind - Skateparks: Neighborhood Perceptions and Planning Realities
Beyond the Board - From The Skatepark Project and University of Southern California
4. Skateboarding, Schools and Society
Alec Beck, Director of Programming of The Skatepark Project (formerly The Tony Hawk Foundation) recently remarked on The National Recreation & Parks Association Podcast that requests for skatepark information is up 700% since the Olympics.
If you don't see an 18" ledge, Mini Ramp or Bowl, don't get upset. Get involved.
To quote Red Green - "Remember, I'm pulling for you. We're All In This Together!'
Thursday, 20 January 2022
Articles
Articles by Spott the Loonie
This is a collection of articles & important docs I've put together for other advocates or City Staff. Feel free to use any of the info below.
The Perils of Pre-fab - My first article highlighting the many issues that come with prefabricated and precast skatepark obstacles.
Hiring a skatepark firm? Better check out their resume.
Here is Their Best & Worst
Replacing Pre-fab with Concrete - Many communities have replaced their pre-fab parks with concrete skateparks.
Bad 'Crete - Some examples of poorly built concrete skateparks as evidence for choosing experienced builders with skatepark/skateboarding experience.
Skatepark Consultations - 'Prevent this Tragedy' is an amazing Skate Video. It's also been the motto for recent skatepark advocacy campaigns. I'm available to consult on your skatepark project for no charge.
Skatepark Advocacy Burnout - Skatepark Advocacy is hard. Don't get discouraged. I have your back! Don't get burnt out.
Pickering Skatepark Advocacy - a record of the advocacy dealings since 2014 in Pickering with Open Letters & Advocacy helping other communities.
The Best There is to Offer in Skatepark Design and Community Integration - A look at parks of different sizes, unique design features and community involvement & integration.
The Best of 2018 - A look at great skatepark features and amenities discovered on my travels that year.
Small Skateparks Still Have a lot to Offer - Looking at small but fun skateparks, skate spots and skate dots.
Small Skateparks - Building on (metaphorically, we're really covering smaller spaces) the previous article.
Dots! - The smallest of skate features can have a big impact.
Plaza Skateparks - A request from the city, I put together a sampling of quality Plaza Style Skateparks.
VFA Parks & General Contractors- Victor Ford & Associates are out of the skatepark game but their influence in Ontario in the late '90's and early 2000's was huge. A list of General Contractors who have worked on skatepark projects follows the VF&A info.
Skatepark Project Involvement - What does it mean to be 'Involved' in a skatepark project. Well, it can be anything from leading the charge to 'liking' a social media post.
Everything Happening in Toronto RIGHT NOW! - Toronto is busy and local advocates can't keep up. Here's all the skate related projects in one easy list.
Confederation Skatepark Concept.
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