St. Albert Skate Park: Jumping into the Half-pipe - An inside look at St. Albert’s Skateboard Park

The go-to stereotype of a skateboarder is that of a delinquent teenager doing tricks on the steps of some public building and, generally, making a nuisance of themselves. Fortunately, that’s not the case or stereotype in St. Albert. While a lot of other cities spend time and money simply chasing young skaters away from skateable terrain, the City of St. Albert encourages the sport through the construction and continued maintenance of the St. Albert Skateboard Park—a place for our skateboarding and BMX community to hone their skills in a safe and -welcoming environment.

No matter your age or skill level, you’ll find the park to be not only the perfect place to practice your tricks but also to be mentored and inspired. Of course, the success of the skatepark is no accident. It’s the result of a lot of hard work by both the city and the skaters themselves. Never been? We’re about to change all that. Take a look.

Though it’s fairly unique, the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks tries to think of the St. Albert Skateboard Park like they would any other park in the city. It receives regular maintenance and cleanup, and when the infrastructure of the park is damaged, it gets fixed. But despite their best efforts to love all of their parks equally, the skate park does get some special attention. While the site is technically unsupervised, the attendants of the nearby Woodlands Water Play Park try to keep an eye on things and are ready to offer first-aid assistance to any skater whose daring exceeds their skill level. The skatepark also differs from other parks in that it attracts graffiti on a regular basis. Whereas graffiti on other city property would be covered up immediately, it has its place in the skatepark. “Graffiti is just part of the culture there,” says Kelly McConnell, Associate Director of Recreation Facilities for the city, “If we found anything offensive painted onto the ground, we’d remove it pretty quickly, but otherwise, it’s not something that can be controlled.”

The city also facilitates events at the park, such as the Shake Down Competition, an annual skateboard and BMX skills challenge. While the actual planning and operation of the events are in the hands of its private organizers, the city takes an active role in making sure that all the proper steps have been taken to ensure public safety. The city’s events team also donates materials needed for events, such as tents, tables and first-aid supplies. This support makes it possible for organizers to focus on providing the best event possible. The Shake Down Competition showcases skaters and riders of all ages and skill levels and offers the chance for St. Albert’s skaters and cyclists to show off the skills they’ve developed, practicing day after day in the skatepark.

While movies have trained us to believe that skaters are an unsavoury bunch, nothing could be further from the truth. A very courteous and democratic culture has developed at the skate park over the years. Everyone waits for his or her turn in the bowl or on the rail, and conflicts are minimal. Skaters and riders of all age groups can be found, with older participants keeping an eye out for the safety of their younger and less experienced companions. In a world where true cooperation can seem rare at times, it’s heartening to see it arising naturally at the skate park. The skaters and riders of St. Albert don’t just share a common hobby, they share a common home as well. If a few more skate parks like St. Albert’s existed around the world, that delinquent skater stereotype would quickly become a relic of the past. t8n

“The turnout for our competition gets bigger every year. The sport is getting more acceptable, and people are curious to watch.”

—Jason Lucas, Shake Down Competition Organizer

Be safe. Have fun.

Skateboarders under the age of 12 and all bicyclists are required to wear a helmet, as per The City of St. Albert Traffic Bylaw 18/2005. The City also encourages beginners to wear gloves, knee and wrist pads. Always skate/ride within your abilities to avoid injuries.

Join the Shake Down

The annual Shake Down Competition takes place on August 28th this year and showcases the best skateboarders and BMX bikers in the region. All skill levels are welcome, and competitors can be as young as two years old! To learn more about the event or to register yourself, you can visit the events page at
www.facedownentertainment.com.

Sidebar:

“The public reception to the park has been good over the years. It can be hard to get concrete feedback, but if people aren’t complaining, you know you’ve done your job right.”

–Kelly McConnell, Associate
Director of Recreation Facilities