Tacoma Needs More SkateParks!
I wanted to give support to TacomaSkateparks.org and their efforts to build more skate facilities in Tacoma. They’d like to see more neighborhood parks and even a park downtown! I think this is a great idea for more than a few reasons.
You may not know this about me but I’m a semi pro skater for Element; I would have turned pro by now if it weren’t for that double crossing Eric! Okay so I’m not a pro skater in real life, but stick a PS2 or Xbox controller in my hands and I’m pretty good. Like so many others growing up in the 80s i did ride a little as a kid, and like so many others in their late 20s – wishing they were still 16 I did attempt skating again.. That was until my co-worker friend who was also trying to relive his youth broke an arm at a Kent skate park. That was enough to convince me to stick to the video games for now. I love to make fun of Kent, but this is one of those times I have to give them credit. There are at least two skate parks in the neighborhoods and one downtown.
The second interesting connection and reason I’m interested in seeing Tacoma build a downtown skate park is that in my first urban studies class we had a great unexpected discussion about this very topic. While thinking of things we’d all like to see downtown, one of the first things out of the mouth of my professor – and the urban studies program director – is that Tacoma needs a skatepark!? That was one of the last things I would have thought he’d say and it turns out a student the year before had done a great research project on this topic and made a great case.
This topic has had some previous discussion that you should also check out. I’ll do what I can to give this topic as much attention as possible, if you’re from TacomaSkatepark.org and have anything you’d like to see posted just let me know.
Posted By: James
tacoma | | May 26, 2006
Comments
I’m a little slow on the take. Better late than ever, I suppose. As one of the early activists within TacomaSkateparks.org, I’ve seen lots of shift in the way our community leaders have considered skateboarding and skateboarders. It’s a very exciting time.
Three years ago Tacoma City Council and the BIA, a group of downtown merchants and business stake-holders, were pushing for a downtown-wide skateboarding ban. Members of the skateboarding community had been meeting with Councilman Bill Evans at the time to discuss the best way to negotiate the pressure. A second group of skaters had formed separately to explore ways to develop more sanctioned skateboarding terrain in Tacoma. The two groups of skate activists naturally joined forces.
The ban was negotiated into nothingness after a thorough site assessment of the troubled spots. Techniques were suggested on how to mitigate the activity, prevent the damage, or reduce the nuisance.
In the end members of the BIA concluded that the BEST way to prevent unwanted skateboarding activity was to attract it in areas where it is appropriate. This is the fundamental wisdom behind all of the nation’s greatest downtown skateparks and a vision that we endorse 100%.
But where?
Every neighborhood of Tacoma should have a skatepark, as skaters live in every neighborhood of Tacoma. The skatepark system we’re advocating for designates a neighborhood skatepark to service those skaters too young to drive (or take public transit alone) and one larger regional skatepark that would provide a venue for larger events and gatherings. This system would be supported by small “skate spots” around downtown and other business districts (Proctor, 6th Avenue, S. 56th, etc.) to support some of the migratory aspects of street skating. Skate spots are inexpensive enough to redesign occasionally or drop into public park redevelopments as those opportunities arise.
Again, Tacoma MetroParks, the City Council, the Neighborhood Councils, and the BIA have been supportive of this vision. It’s an exciting time to be a skateboarder in Tacoma.
— Peter Whitley Jul 12, 08:43 PM #
Good News: MetroParks has finally started construction on an all-concrete skatepark next to the already existing park at Stewart heights….
Bad News: They’re going to TEAR DOWN the old skatepark.
...Now I’m all about the construction of new skateparks, especially considering the vast underrepresentation of skaters and BMXers in Tacoma. I mean, the few skateparks we have are in constantly full of people, while it seems like theres an empty baseball diamond on every corner. Anyways, why tear down the old park, when keeping it would double its size? My guess is that the city feels as though the skatepark is falling into disrepair; however, I’ve skated there for many years and seen how a new layer of masonite will repair most damage the park sustains. Even if this new park is better, losing the old 5-6 would be like losing an old friend. Does anyone know who to complain to, or what petition to sign? Anything?!
— Jake Enge Nov 19, 12:04 PM #
