Keeping it wheel: new and improved China Creek Skatepark reopens for Vancouver’s growing skate community

This week, the Vancouver Park Board put the finishing touches on a newly upgraded China Creek Skatepark, reopening the facility for skaters of all ages and abilities ahead of the long weekend.

Skaters of all ages will join Park Board commissioners and staff to celebrate the completion of improvements to this iconic facility, which include new features and detailing to enhance rider experience, cater to a broader range of abilities and better serve the city’s growing and diverse skate community.

“Skateboarding has a long and rich history in Vancouver and we’re proud to play our part in helping to foster that legacy,” says Park Board Chair Brennan Bastyovanszky. “In 2022, our ‘CitySkate’ strategy identified a lack of city amenities to support the needs of Vancouver’s skateboarding and small-wheeled sports community. The opening of the renewed China Creek Skatepark is an exciting step towards creating a network of accessible skate amenities to serve this thriving and diverse community.”

Built in 1979, China Creek Skatepark was one of the first skateparks to open in north America and quickly became synonymous with the rapid growth of skateboarding in Vancouver during the 80s and early 90s.

In 2022, ‘CitySkate’, the Park Board’s 20-year roadmap for improving the city’s skate amenities, identified the skatepark as a priority for upgrades following nearly half a century of heavy use. The strategy was developed through engagement with the skate community, including Vancouver Skateboard Coalition (VSBC), Vancouver’s local skateboard advocacy group.

"The Vancouver Skateboard Coalition is ecstatic that 45 years from when it first opened, China Creek is reopening with some great new additions,” says Jeremy Nan, Treasurer, VSBC. “It’s amazing to see the upgrade of one of Vancouver's first skateparks, which holds such history and serves such a wide community. Two years after the establishment of the Skateboard Amenities Strategy, we are seeing the first major step in developing and enhancing Vancouver’s skate infrastructure as outlined in the strategy. We are excited to see what is to come in the next 20 years as the Park Board further implements the strategy to support the needs of the city’s growing skateboard community, including space and cover."

Upgrades to China Creek Skatepark include:

• Preserving and enhancing the existing heritage bowl features 
• Replacing the dated asphalt paving with cast-in-place concrete surfacing 
• Adding innovative features and detailing (including pool block coping, brick stenciling and concrete colour) to complement and enhance the existing bowls. 
• A boulder seating area and landscape details that help to enhance the visitor experience.

Visitors are advised that fencing will be in place for a few weeks to help protect the establishing lawn areas.

Carving out an exciting future for Vancouver’s skate community

Approved by the Park Board in 2022, 'CitySkate', Vancouver’s Skateboard Amenities Strategy, identifies opportunities for skateboarding and other wheeled sports in parks, plazas, streets, greenways, bikeways, and other potential public spaces. It provides a short, medium, and long-term implementation plan for a range of skateboard amenities that will serve the growing numbers of skaters and small wheelers.

Several projects have since been completed, including the refurbishment of Norquay Park Ledges and enhanced programming at Hillcrest Curling Rink, or are in the pipeline for future delivery.

Learn more: vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/skateboard-amenities-strategy.aspx