Skating forward: A new skate strategy for Vancouver approved by Park Board
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation approved a new strategy at last night’s meeting to improve and guide skate infrastructure in the city.
CitySkate, the Skateboard Amenities Strategy, sets out a vision to make Vancouver the home of a well-connected network of welcoming skate amenities that serve a thriving and diverse community, and addresses the significant service gaps throughout the city.
Supporting the skate community
Vancouver has long been considered a hub of skateboarding, and while the popularity of the sport has surged both here and globally, the city’s skate amenities are currently not meeting the needs of the skateboarding and small wheeled sports community. This is particularly true for equity seeking groups, including women, Indigenous youth, and young people, who already face additional challenges to participating in these sports.
Support for the sport and the skate community was underlined at last night’s meeting with 24 speakers in support of the strategy, and was passed unanimously.
Implementing CitySkate
CitySkate sets out an implementation plan for 20 years of improvements to Vancouver’s skate amenities.
This includes new builds, upgrades to existing facilities, working with the City of Vancouver to build skate connections between parks, skate-friendly greenways, and improving partnerships and programming with the community. The strategy was developed with seven goals in mind:
- More space
- Year-round use
- Better distribution
- Community support
- A connected network
- Creative integration
- Terrain variety
In addition, Park Board has identified four quick wins that are funded in the current Capital Plan (2019-2022) to make more immediate improvements for the skate community. This includes upgrading both the China Creek Skate Spot and Leeside Skate Park, refurbishing the Norquay Park Ledge and supporting programming at the Hillcrest Curling Rink.
This strategy is a result of the significant engagement with the skate community, which highlighted the important role skateboarding and other small wheeled sports play in strengthening social ties, improving well-being, and building a sense of community amongst participants.
We thank the thousands of residents who engaged with this project and helped Park Board bring it to life.