SKATE PARKS
Skate parks are great fun for all ages, and you can usually find one or two in most cities and towns. It's important to know skate park etiquette and rules before venturing out, that way you can make sure to have maximum fun and be safe at the same time.
WHAT
Skate parks are a fast-paced environment designed and built specifically for trick skating.
WHO
Skate parks are commonly used by skateboarders, inline and quad skaters, BMX and scooter riders in a trick or stunt capacity. Beginners to advanced users develop skills in skate parks.
TOP END
SKATE PARKS
park
etiquette
the Dynamics of skate parks has changed
Skateboarding is well identified as being the catalyst to the introduction of skate parks. With deep historical roots and culture, skateboarding is still well respected as the prime mode of trick skating and is now an official sport of the International Olympic Committee.
A skate park environment also well suits BMX, inline, quad and scooter, most of which require considerable flat ground skill before ramp skating. However, beginner scooters and balance bikes are much more accessible and marketed to younger ages as they are easier to begin with than a skateboard or skates. This opens up skate park use to a much younger dynamic and we now see more toddlers to early school age children looking to find ramps to play on, allbeit, tailwhips and bar spins must start somewhere.
So who has the right of way and how do we manage such a broad range of ages in a skate park when it comes to safety issues? Well, it’s more about the ability to understand, follow instructions and stay safe as a skate park cannot work like a playground. The nature of trick skating and riding means that Skateboards and BMX’s can fly loose, skaters and riders can loose control and these risks must be accepted when using a skate park as it is not a default that adult users are responsible for the safety of child users.
When the park is crazy busy, go with common sense and protect those who need it most by either finding them a safer space or coming when it is quieter. In the same respect, experienced users can negotiate rotating areas with other groups rather than push them aside with dominating skill levels. Above all, skate parks are not playgrounds or skate rinks.
Please click on the topics below to read more.