Skateboard parks in city parks

[billonlogan]

March 9, 2006
Locals ramped up over skateboard park
By ROB GRANATSTEIN
Toronto Sun

Fury over a proposed skateboard park in Etobicoke will roll into City Hall today.

The city favours putting the $500,000 skateboard park in Col. Samuel Smith Park, near the waterfront, an under-construction high school and a campus of Humber College.

But some local residents are angry the park they worked for 20 years to turn from a former hospital campus into a passive and naturalized area will lose another quiet spot.

"I'm not opposed to skateboarding," said Ruth Grier, a resident and former NDP environment minister. "But this is adjacent to a wetland in a heritage park."

Grier fears the next step will be lights and fencing. She's also upset with the process, saying there's been no intelligent consultation around the proposal.

But both city staff and local Councillor Mark Grimes said there has been a lot of community input, and Col. Samuel Smith is the best site for the skateboard park.

"This park was sacred ground to a lot of people down there, but the kids have to have a place to play," Grimes said. "The parks are for kids, too, not just birdwatchers."

The skateboard park would be close to parking, the TTC, washrooms and away from any residential areas. There is also a proposal for a winter skating loop.

A decision on the park is expected this month and, if it passes, construction could start mid-summer.

 

[boons97]

Toronto is really lagging behind other cities in terms of skateparks, especially those on the west coast. Vancouver has well over twenty, and i know the weather is different but these parks are always well used when built and can also be an excellent way to reclaim rundown spots. Skateboarders are willing to go into areas other people aren't, and i think it would be interesting to stick one under the gardiner or rail bridges downtown as has been done in Vancouver and Portland

Vancouver Park

Portland Park, under the Burnside Bridge

 

[The Burgher of TO]

that's actually a phenomenal idea. those dead areas around the gardiner's on/off ramps would be ideal candidates for skateparks

 

[El Chico905]

After many years of fighting the old people gave up and a park near me is finally getting a skate park...and new splash pad so everybody is happy.

 

[Observer Walt]

Boons: Thanks for the pictures. Under expressway ramps would probably be a good place.
There is heavy demand for skateboard parks. Every time one is opened they are mobbed with people. There is a limited number of places to put them. Smith Park seems like a good spot, being away from residential areas and accessible by transit.

 

[Oliver Tweed]

The skateboard park is an excellent idea. It is crucial to find urban kids things to do, and the fact is that loads of city kids skateboard but have nowhere good to do it without pissing someone off. This should be a no-brainer.

 

[building babel]

I'll miss spotting the exotic rogue bands of wheeled Wild Boys, scudding through Commerce Court or banging against the Sun Life planters once they're relegated to Designated Skateboard Parks and become wussy little Stepford Skateboarders.

 

[Ontarian1976]

In Seattle they are building (have built?) a BMX park under a freeway.

 

[Observer Walt]

Babel: Fear not, they'll still be at Commerce Court, bombing down University Ave. median, etc.

Having said that, they need a proper park or two. Smith Park is a good location, away from residential areas.

 

[billonlogan]

Its good to see Scarborough and Etobicoke get new skateparks. Are there any plans to put one or two downtown?
---------------------------------

Scarborough Centre residents can see next Wednesday what their new skateboard park at Ellesmere Community Centre will look like.
In September, at least 100 residents, including many youths, told designers what they wanted in the skatepark during a workshop hosted by Ward 37 Councillor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre).

The final design will be unveiled at 6:30 p.m. on March 22 in the centre, 20 Canadian Rd. People can then provide their thoughts on it.

The City of Toronto has established an account to raise funds for the skatepark and some community organizations and businesses have expressed an interest in supporting it.

 

[limber88]

Ongoing, somewhat incoherent status reports on GTA skate parks can be usually be found here at skaters.inc.

 

[Observer Walt]

Incoherent is right, most of these guys sound like they are on cheap drugs :rolleyes