November 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 14

WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION
Skate Parks Benefit All
By Heidi Lemmon
W
hen Skate Park Association International was founded in
1996, the profile of the average skater was 12 to 14 years
old, male and a street skater. There was only one public
skate park at the time that featured obstacles as tall as 18
inches (all others had a lower height restriction), and as a result, kids were
riding in the streets, illegally in most cities.
nity for average and beginner players
to participate. By high school,
it's very competitive as players are
seeking scholarships for college.
Free public skate parks provide a
place for all levels of skaters, from
beginner to advanced level. All
skaters can make friends and have
a sense of community and belonging
that transfers to any park they
visit, worldwide.
" Los Angeles is the epicenter
skateboarding and an outlet
of
A well-designed skate park will encourage
participation from people of all ages
and all levels of development.
The profile of the average skater
today is much different; it includes
people ages 2 to 60 and older; males
and females; individuals with disabilities;
and skateboarders, bicycle
motocrossers (BMXers), scooterers,
wheelchair users, and inline
and roller skaters. How can a city
accommodate all these users?
Free Play
Most youth sports are organized,
and they are pay to play. By middle
school, tryouts are required
and only the top players make the
team. This eliminates the opportufor
many youth. It's important to
provide youth the opportunity to
express themselves and have a fun
and safe environment to do so, "
says Sonya Young Jimenez, superintendent
of Venice Beach and
West Region for City of Los Angeles
Department of Recreation and
Parks. " The Department of Recreation
and Parks has skate parks
throughout the city for youth and
families to enjoy. Many people do
not fit into 'traditional sports,' and
providing skate parks allows the opportunity
to learn something new
and build the skate community. "
Bigger and Better
Designed Parks
The skate parks today vary from
a few ramps to works of art. Budgets
have soared from $250,000
to millions of dollars, and cities
14 Parks & Recreation | NOVEMBER 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
are pleased with the results. Welldesigned
parks attract skaters, their
families and events. In turn, local
hotels, restaurants and shops all
benefit. Skate parks are an excellent
way for out-of-the-way or small cities
or towns to attract visitors.
In Des Moines, Iowa, " there is
an incredible cross section of people
who visit Lauridsen Skatepark.
There are groups of parents who
bring their kids for playdates, incredibly
talented young athletes
training to be even better, and even
older skaters who see a safe but vibrant
place to continue to pursue
the sport of their youth, " says Jessica
Lown of Polk County Conservation.
" We also hear anecdotally
through social media and from local
hotels that there are a lot of people
who travel to Des Moines just
for the skate park.... We think a major
part of the attraction for visitors
is the fact that Lauridsen is a public
park - free and open to everyone. "
After-School Programs
After-school programs are not only
geared toward elite riders, but also
beginners. But most importantly, the
programs are focused on the health
and fitness of all participants. More
often we are seeing these programs
offered at public skate parks, either in
conjunction with coaches or through
park and recreation departments.
In addition to creating job opportunities
for young people, these
programs get kids moving out in
the fresh air. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention reports
that there are 14.7 million obese
PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM PAIN
November 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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