Skateboard Parks

Skateboard parks provide a place for millions of American young people to get a cardiovascular workout doing the sport they love best, whether that's skateboarding, in-line skating or freestyle cycling. The half-pipes, ramps and rails at skateboard parks also give amateur and professional athletes a place to compete, and skateboard companies a place to make money with product demonstrations and sponsorships.

History

The world's first skateboard park was a cement skate park in Carlsbad, California, that opened on March 13, 1976. Although the Carlsbad Skatepark closed in the late 1970s and the popularity of skateboarding declined in the 1980s, skateboarding has flourished since the 1990s. In 2010, there are more than 300 skate parks in the United States, and another 300 were in development, according to the International Association of Skateboard Companies. These parks serve more than 7 million skateboarders, 4 million aggressive in-line skaters and 1 million freestyle bikers in the U.S., according to the Skate Park Association of the United States.

Benefits

Skateboard parks give skateboarders a supervised place to skate on equipment specifically made for skateboarders. Skateboard parks help keep skateboarders, in-line skaters and freestyle bikers off the streets, where they risk injury from motor vehicles, street rails and homemade ramps. Skateboard parks encourage a community's youth and adults to engage in an activity that promotes flexibility, coordination and cardiovascular stamina. Additionally, youth who skateboard have more self-esteem than less active peers, according to a study in the April 2006 issue of "Pediatrics" magazine.

Types

Skateboard parks are categorized by the materials used to build the park. Concrete skateboard parks are permanent fixtures. Concrete parks are expensive to build, but require little maintenance. Steel frame parks are permanent parks made from metal or Skatelite surfaces. Steel parks require some repairs, but have the advantage of being weatherproof. Portable and wood parks are favored by many park owners because they are inexpensive, movable and can be reconfigured to meet skaters' demands as the sport evolves. Made from Masonite, plywood, birch, Skatelite or Skatelite Pro materials, wood skate parks require regular maintenance.

Ownership

There are both publicly- and privately-owned skate parks. Publicly-owned parks are usually operated by a city's parks and recreation department and are often outside. These parks are generally free for public use as long as a waiver is signed and users follow the park's rules. Privately-owned skate parks may be indoors or outdoors and usually charge a daily admission fee or a membership fee. Private parks are often owned by skateboard shops or skateboard companies. Some churches also house outdoor skate parks on church property or erect mini skate parks for youth groups and summer programs.

Safety

Skateboarding, as well as in-line skating and freestyle cycling, can cause injuries. Skate parks require users to wear helmets and sign waivers acknowledging the safety risks and releasing the park from most liabilities. Some skate parks also require elbow and knee pads. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that children under age 5 should not skateboard and that children ages 6 to 10 need close supervision when they are skateboarding. Many skate parks offer classes that teach basic safety procedures, including how to fall. Some skate parks also have designated areas for beginner skateboarders.