StraightFromTheHip

Details:

Completed: July 2006

Location: Black River Falls, Wisconsin

Description: A case for hybrid

Situation:

The Black River Falls Rotary Club had chosen to sponsor the construction of a skatepark in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Rotary International. Members of the Rotary Club, the City and local riders formed a committee to investigate their options for developing a skatepark that reflects the unique culture and landscape of Black River Falls.

Key Challenges:

A skatepark did not exist in the Black River Falls community, thus forcing the local riders to travel to other communities with skateparks or ride in the streets. The riders were constantly being kicked out of local parking lots, churches, schools, etc. and so the City decided it was about time to give them somewhere safe and legal to go.

Process Highlights:

• Numerous committee meetings were held to decide what type of skatepark construction, what type of riding elements, where it would go and how much it would cost.
• It was decided that riders wanted a skatepark with a good balance of street and transitional elements.
• The committee also came to the conclusion that a hybrid design with some concrete elements and some above-ground ramp equipment would be the best compromise to give riders what they wanted and keep budget in check.
• The design team was selected and they met with the committee to gather information about rider preferences. Design team also researched the local culture, architecture and skate spots in order to create a design that would be unique and reflective of the area.

Results:

• An aesthetically pleasing and fully integrated hybrid design offering a good balance of street and transitional riding experiences along with a good balance of concrete elements, above-ground ramp equipment and landscaping.
• Accomodates all skill levels and riding styles.
• Some of the distinctive features include:
  • Use of local rock and colors through the park, creating unique multi-tier riding formations resembling the “Black River Falls”.
  • A partial bowl/spine area that integrates with the entry pathway and flows with the rest of the course.
  • Design sets a new standard for hybrid skateparks by placing the above-ground ramp equipment inset into custom designed concrete block retaining walls, thus minimizing noise, eliminating need for guardrails and significantly reducing overall maintenance.
• You can view additional images and video footage of this interesting skatepark here.

SFTH Comments:

The Rotary Club Skatepark is an excellent example of how a hybrid design can accomodate the wants and needs of the riders and still provide an aesthetically pleasing valuable addition to the community. Not only is this skatepark a very good “fit” for the community but it also compliments the surrounding network of skateparks in the area. This project also shows how a truly collaborative process between the community, the designers and the contractors can be very successful at meeting the needs of everyone involved and yielding a facility everyone can be proud of for years to come.

Content and images provided courtesy of ARTIFEX Skatepark Environments