Park Board Completes Skateboard Improvements at Coopers Park

July 4, 2003 (No 38) - The Vancouver Park Board has recently completed a number of changes to Coopers Park on the False Creek waterfront that enhance the use of the park for local skateboarders and make the park safer for young children and their parents.

Working closely with the Vancouver SkatePark Coalition (VSPC), the Park Board has developed a more skater-friendly area around the basketball court which separates the boarders from the adjacent children's playground, adds skate-able features and controls access. New to the park are:

• 2 skate board benches, one of which was purchased by VSPC;
• an additional grind rail;
• 60 ft x 12 ft asphalt pad for softer, safer landings;
• pathway addition to curb;
• guard rail addition to existing walls to divide the playground and basketball/skateboard areas; and
• 3 bicycle chicanes (series of curb extensions which narrow the roadway to slow traffic), one of which is wheelchair accessible.

In describing the improvements, VSPC President Travis Cutler said, "The additions to this park show what cooperation between the Park Board and the VSPC can accomplish, a spot that can be enjoyed by all. The new asphalt surface and two level benches are laid out so that skaters will be able to use the spot alongside the activities of others. This is an excellent example of adding a skateboard element to a park without changing the dynamics of the park itself. I look forward to seeing more examples of this in existing parks as well as new parks to bring skateboarders and the community together."

VSPC will be holding skateboarding demonstrations at Coopers Park with local riders on Saturday, July 5th, from 2:00 pm onwards.

Other Vancouver Park Board skate parks are located at:

Hastings Park	Pandora and Renfrew Streets	3 skateboard bowls and street course
China Creek Park South	East Broadway and Clark Drive	Single bowl, pyramid and hip box
Strathcona Park	Prior and Campbell Avenues	Just open, beginner-intermediate street-style layout
False Creek Community Centre	1318 Cartwright Street	Operated on a basketball court with launch ramp, fun box and rails
Various Community Centres	Information available on programs from local centres

Coming soon is a street-style urban skateboard facility near Andy Livingstone Park at Quebec and Union Streets.

Contact: Vancouver SkatePark Coalition 604-505-8772 (cell)
web site: www.vspc.ca

For more information contact: Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, Vancouver Park Board
604-257-8699.

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