'No cookie-cutter skateparks': Newmarket looks at three options for outdoor park

Skatepark expected to open outside Magna Centre by end of 2021

Yorkregion.com
October 8, 2020
Lisa Queen

It’s long overdue, but Newmarket skateboarder Andy Vail is excited to learn that Newmarket will finally have an outdoor skatepark by the end of next year.

“It’s fantastic to have a skatepark. It’s a good meeting ground for everyone to come to,” said the 25-year-old artistic painter, who has been skating for 10 years.

“It’s nice to see they’re actually putting in a skatepark, something for youth.”

Given that many surrounding communities already have skateparks, Vail feels Newmarket is “ridiculously late” in building one, but he’s happy plans are now well underway.

The park is important for you, said Mayor John Taylor, adding he might give it a whirl.

"Now, more than ever, we realize the importance of physical activity for youth. If we want our kids to spend less time on screens, we need to give them other things to do," he said.

"The new outdoor skatepark will be a fantastic new facility that will allow kids to exercise, have fun and be outdoors. It's been years since I have been on a skateboard but when we open this skatepark, I may have to give it a try again."

The town is now considering three visions for the $1.4-million park, which will be built in front of the Magna Centre at 800 Mulock Dr. to accommodate skateboarders and BMX bike and scooter riders.

Based on public feedback collected through an online survey that ran from Sept. 22 to Oct. 6, a final design is expected by the end of the year, according to information provided by the town’s capital projects team.

The town is looking to tender the construction in early 2021 so that construction can be completed by the end of next year.

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Although he would prefer Newmarket’s outdoor skatepark to be closer to Davis Drive or downtown, as opposed to the Magna Centre, Vail is keeping a keen eye on the design of the park.

He praised the town for hiring New Line Skateparks Inc. as the design consultant for the project.

At a virtual meeting on Sept. 29, New Line’s senior project manager Bill Gurney and designer Stefan Ouellet outlined principles for the park, including that it will integrate the needs of skateboarders and BMX and scooter riders and appeal to users of all ages and skill levels.

“There are no rule books for designing skateparks. Skateparks come in all shapes and sizes,” Gurney added.

“We have no interest in creating carbon copy skateparks or cookie-cutter skateparks.”

Ouellet discussed features of the three potential options for the park, including how two would have bowls while the third wouldn’t.

Vail feels a bowl is crucial.

“It’s like if you go to a mall, you need to have a food court,” he said.

Gurney unveiled the results of the town’s public online survey conducted earlier this year.

Of the 375 people who responded, 72 per cent were male. More than 36 per cent were aged 11 to 20 while 22.7 per cent were 21 to 30.

More than 55 per cent are skateboarders, while 18.4 per cent are scooter riders and 16 per cent are BMX riders. Others were parents, spectators and interested residents.

About 46 per cent consider themselves at an intermediate skill level, while 24.5 per cent are beginners and 16.8 per cent are advanced. More than 45 per cent skate three or more times a week.

A street plaza design is the most preferred terrain.

While the town already has an indoor skatepark at the Newmarket Recreation Youth Centre and Sk8 Park at 56 Charles St., Vail pointed out there’s an entrance fee. It also has limited hours and physical limitations.

“It’s so much nicer to skate outdoors,” Vail said, adding that outdoor provisions have long been made for other sports.

“There’s basketball courts, tennis courts. Anything sports-related is everywhere and if you’re good, you’re on sports teams. And that’s fine. But people need to realize that skating is also a sport. You may not be on an organized, registered team, but your team is the skater community, the friends you build from your own group is your team.”

In the past, skateboarders have often been viewed as “grungy” and “no-good street dwellers,” but the sport is growing in popularity and social acceptance while gaining ground with female skaters, Vail said.

He pointed out that skateboarding was to have made its Olympic debut this year in Tokyo, but the Games have been pushed off for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, visit newmarket.ca/outdoorskatepark.