Skatepark development
According to the 2013 Alberta Recreation Survey, there are more people taking part in wheeled sports than the total number of lacrosse or tennis players in Calgary. It is estimated that there are more than 35,000 skateboarders in Calgary. This number does not include people who participate in other wheeled-sports like inline skating, bmx, or scooters.
We recognize there are far more skatepark users than we have skateparks for. In 2011, Council approved the Skateboard Amenities Strategy (SAS) as the guiding document to address this need.
Here are additional supporting documents:
How do we select skatepark sites?
In 2012, our staff came together to determine the best way to implement the Skateboard amenities strategy. Knowing that engagement and greater community support is critical to the development of skateparks we announced an open-call application process for interested community associations. We received 27 applications from communities across all quadrants of the city.
Once the site viability was determined, the project team then established the criteria that would be used to evaluate all of the applications. In addition to the criteria listed in the SAS (pg. 62) some of the additional criteria included:
- demographic need
- index of community well being
- potential as a community hub
- site amenities and their integration into an open space system
- connection to trails
- access to public transit
- parking availability
- maintenance and service levels
- level of visibility
- an active environment that has a variety of activities for all ages
Once we had the top 10 rated sites, an online engagement tool was launched city-wide. This engagement led to our top eight rated sites which are our phase one sites.
The top eight sites underwent a design process that involved public engagement in each community. This helped the design team determine what elements to include in each park, while balancing the development of parks to serve the city as a whole.
Future skateparks
Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge
The Rocky Ridge recreation facility, serving Calgary’s Northwest, opened to the public on January 15, 2018.
The facility sits in a natural park with views of the city and mountains, tucked between an existing hill that reaches Calgary’s highest natural elevation and a reconstructed wetland.
A skatepark as part of this facility is under construction, with plans for completion in 2020.
Final design subject to change.
Public art
Public art adds to the vibrancy and character of a community. The public art associated with skateparks presents opportunities for residents, user groups, and surrounding communities to strengthen social ties and to be physically and creatively engaged. Learn more about the skateboard amenities public art project.