Citywide Skatepark Plan

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Citywide Skatepark Plan

This Citywide Skatepark Plan identifies a network of safe, legal places throughout the city, for people of all ages, races and genders to enjoy. It also offers recommendations that can begin to change the way people think about and experience skateboarding in the City of Seattle.

• Citywide Skatepark Plan (PDF 2.4M)
  • Appendices (PDF 4.4M)
  • Memo from Ken Bounds (PDF 35k)
  • Memorandum of recommendations (PDF 42k) from the Board of Park Commissioners

TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

The identification of recommended sites by the Task Force is a general recommendation. Decisions on exact location within the recommended park, the size and shape, or the skill level of the facility would be developed during future site specific public planning processes. Based on citizen comment, the Task Force is recommending that Cowen Park, Fairmount Park Playfield, Denny Middle School, and Westcrest Reservoir sites be removed from the plan.

Parks staff generally concur with the Task Force recommendations, including the siting criteria, the typology and general siting distribution of skatepark facilities. Parks staff, however, will not recommend the West Seattle Stadium site, as it is to be reserved for future golf course driving range development.

Additional recommendation actions will be included in the report, such as:

• Include skateparks in future park acquisition & development design.
• Integrate skatedots or a skatepark into the future waterfront planning efforts.
• Allow use of wading pools for skateboarding during non-summer use.
• Work with Parks community center staff to allow skateboarding, when appropriate, on hardscapes surrounding community center facilities.
• Accommodate different skill levels in park design, including street style and transitional elements when space is available.
• Cover some skateboard facilities

Prioritized projects for funding requests
The Task Force recommends that the following projects be considered for funding, for future planning, design and construction work.

1. Judkins Park/Judge Charles M. Stokes Overlook (Skatespot)
   Planning Level cost estimates are up to $640K, depending on the final design and size of the facility.
2. Roxhill Park (Skatespot)
   Planning Level cost estimates are up to $640K, depending on the final design and size of the facility.
3. Dahl Skatespot (Skatespot)
   $205,000 is needed to complete construction of approved plans.
4. Jefferson Master Plan (District facility)
   Current Pro Parks Levy plan has a place holder for a district sized skate facility. Add to Pro Parks Levy funding to facilitate planning, design and construction work to complete this component of the master plan. Planning Level cost estimates are approximately $1 million, depending on the final design and size of the facility.
5. Delridge Playfield (Skatespot)
   Planning Level cost estimates are up to $640K,depending on the final design and size of the facility.
6. Brighton Playfield (Skatespot)
   A Pro Parks Levy project is scheduled in 2007/2008 to develop a science park in conjunction with the middle school. Skateboard elements could embrace physics components. Planning Level cost estimates are up to $640K, depending on the final design and size of the facility.
7. Skatedot Pot
   This 'pot' of $160,000 would allow Parks to implement skateable elements and wading pool modifications. Planning level cost estimates to implement these modifications are approximately $16,000 each.

Citywide Meetings and Public Process

Seattle Parks is creating a citywide plan to help provide public facilities for participants in this popular sport. The plan will provide a long-term vision for skatepark facilities.

On the right is a map of locations proposed by the Skatepark Advisory Task Force and under consideration for inclusion in the Skatepark Plan.

In October 2006, approximately 250 people attended three public meetings where community input was given on the draft list of locations proposed by the Skatepark Advisory Task Force. Hundreds of e-mails and phone calls were also received.

Upcoming Decisions/Timeline:

- December 14, 2006: The draft citywide skatepark plan will be presented to the Board of Park Commissioners followed by a public hearing.

- December 20, 2006: The Task Force will brief the Seattle City Council's Parks, Education, Libraries and Labor Committee.

- January 11, 2007: The Board of Park Commissioners will make its recommendation to the Parks Superintendent. The audience may listen to the discussion and recommendation; however, no further verbal public testimony on this project will be heard by the Board after the December 14 public hearing.

- January 2007: The plan may be revised, as appropriate, and forwarded to City Council by the January 31, 2007 target Council established for this effort.

- Late January or early February 2007: Seattle City Council may choose to adopt thea citywide skatepark plan via resolution.

Watch this webpage for more information.

About the Citywide Plan

Skateboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. Seattle City Council has established a Skatepark Advisory Task Force to develop a comprehensive skatepark system plan for Seattle that encompasses a citywide needs analysis, inventory of existing and proposed facilities, creation of skatepark typologies, siting criteria, and possible locations.
» See Resolution 30843

In June 2006, more than a hundred people attended three public meetings and an open house where community input was given on:

• The draft criteria for locating future skateboard facilities in Seattle,
• The types and range of facilities Seattle should have, and
• Nominations of potential sites that the Task Force and consultant should evaluate for possible inclusion in the Citywide Plan.

» Summary of public outreach for June meetings (PDF)

In October 2006, approximately 250 people attended three public meetings where community input was given on the draft list of locations proposed by the Skatepark Advisory Task Force.
» Summary of public outreach for October meetings (PDF)

» Draft criteria and types of skateboard facilities
» Planning Process Presentation (PDF 2.6M)
» Planning Process Presentation: Phase 2 (PDF 2.7M)

Task Force Meetings and Members

The task force is comprised of representatives from all quadrants of the city, who bring both skater and non-skater perspectives to this planning effort, as well as diverse backgrounds and professional expertise.

Task Force members:

George Blomberg, Chair
Joe Bell
John Carr
Susanne Friedman
Jelani Jackson
Matt Johnston
Jeanne Krikawa
Christine Larsen
Joyce Moty
Scott Shinn
Nin Truong

Skatepark Planning Process Environmental Checklist

• Citywide Skatepark Checklist FINAL.pdf (PDF)
• Determination Of Non-Significance.pdf (PDF)
• DNS Analysis - SP Citywide PlanFINAL.pdf (PDF)
• Framework for Criteria.pdf (PDF)
• Potential Site Map 10_04_06_1.pdf (PDF)
• Skatepark Siting Criteria Final.pdf (PDF)

The public comment period on the Declaration of Non-Significance (DNS) ended on Monday, November 27.

For more information on the DNS, contact:
David Graves, Senior Planner, Seattle Parks and Recreation david.graves@seattle.gov

Existing Skatepark Projects and Other Resources

• Ballard Commons Park
• Lower Woodland Skatepark Project Information
• Seattle Parks and Recreation, Skateboard Park Policy
• Skateboard Park Advisory Committee
• Portland Parks and Recreation Skatepark Siting Project

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