Skatepark Typology
Typically a city will strive to have a network of skateparks spread across the city, providing a range of riding experiences and making skateparks accessible to users of all ages. To help describe the variety of skateparks that would make up a network, a skatepark typology was established and described in the City of Calgary Skatepark Amenity Strategy 2011 (City of Calgary, 2011).
Below is a description of each of the 5 types. Even within each type, there is a range of sizes and styles so one example of a skate spot can be very different from another.
Reference:
City of Calgary. (2011). Skateboarding Amenities Strategy 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2018, from City of Calgary, Skatepark Development: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Skateparks/Skateboard-amenities-strategy.aspx
Skatepark Typologies
Skate Spot
- Size: 150 m2 – 600 m2 (1,500 ft2 to 6,000 ft2) eg 1/2 basketball court
- A small-scale ‘skateable’ opportunity
- Usually found in a neighbourhood park or along a paved pathway.
- Features will be novice and intermediate level & have low impact (minimally noticeable) on the area
- Usually found in residential areas
- May be built to counter areas of conflict where unapproved skateboarding occurs on private or semi-public property.
- Skate Spots can also be built to link larger skateparks along the route between them
Neighbourhood
- Size: 600 m2 – 1,200 m2 (6,000 ft2 – 12,000 ft2) eg one tennis court
- Serves the needs of the immediate neighbourhood(s) that surround it.
- Features often include wider range of obstacles for users of all skill levels including novice and intermediate users
- Commonly located in neighbourhood parks or spaces in other highly visible lands, usually close to residential or small commercial areas.
Community
- Size: 1,200 m2 – 2,500 m2 (12,000 ft2 – 25,000 ft2) eg outdoor hockey rink
- Serves the needs a number of neighbourhoods
- Parks of this size will typically have more amenities such as parking, bathrooms, a water fountain, shelter, or lighting.
- WIll usually accommodate all ability levels, and will likely include a range of terrain styles.
- Are best suited in more central locations, and in areas of mixed residential, commercial and institutional land uses.
Regional
- Size: 2,500-4,000 m2 (25,000 ft2 – 40,000 ft2) eg Little League Baseball field
- Serves a region/quadrant of a city
- Best located in an area of mixed residential, commercial and institutional land uses.
- Will include obstacles suitable for all ability levels, feature all-terrain styles, and have a greater range of amenities, such as parking, spectator seating, and fully-serviced washrooms
Destination
- Size: 4,000 m2+ (40,000 ft2 +)
- A destination skatepark draws users from the entire city, and beyond as users will travel some distance to ride the park
- WIll likley have an expanded amenities such as parking, water fountains, washrooms, and shelter
- Terrain caters to users from beginners to professional level.
- Wil accommodate major demonstrations and competitiveevents.