New skateboard parks coming to Calgary neighbourhoods
3 new parks serving 5 communities will service an estimated 35,000 local skateboarders
The city is building three new skateparks scheduled to open this fall.
One will be for the adjoining communities of Chinook Park, Kelvin Grove, Eagle Ridge (CKE), and the other two will be constructed in Southwood and Huntington Hills.
A fourth park planned for Edgemont was shelved because that district's community association formally withdrew its application after months of debate.
"These parks will begin to address the gap in facilities that are within the city and the number of participants," said Tom Hansen, with the city's recreation department.
"These are intended to be places where families can come together and participate in this activities," said Hansen.
"These skateparks have been designed and located in communities in highly visible areas. The community's citizens…have all been engaged in the design and location of the skatepark."
He said the city is working with community associations to determine other locations, including some in the northeast.
Of the 50,000 Calgarians who take part in wheeled sports, at least 35,000 people use skateboards, according to the city's Skateboard Amenities Strategy. The other sports are BMX, in-line skating and scooters.
Each community was asked for feedback before the plans were approved.
The Chinook Park, Kelvin Grove, Eagle Ridge (CKE) park will be built at Elbow Drive and 73rd Avenue S.W.
The Southwood skatepark will be built at Sackville Drive S.W. on greenspace between the Southwood rink and Ethel M. Johnson School.
"The inspiration behind the design is based on A-frame houses and barns because the site was at one point a traditional working farm and/or a homestead and so "barn-red" wood and decking material have been incorporated," the city said on its website.
The Huntington Hills skatepark will be built at Centre Street and 64th Avenue N.W. next to the existing tennis courts.