Skate Melbourne framework background paper Skate Melbourne Framework - Background Paper 1 contents Introduction and context 4 Benefits of skate activity 6 Skate and the City of Melbourne 8 Skater Demographics in the City of Melbourne 10 Styles of skateboarding 12 Reasons for skating 13 Different types of spaces for skating 14 Activity management methods in capital cities and public spaces 16 Bibliography and References 17 Disclaimer This report is provided for information and it does not purport to be complete. While care has been taken to ensure the content in the report is accurate, we cannot guarantee it is without flaw of any kind. There may be errors and omissions or it may not be wholly appropriate for your particular purposes. In addition, the publication is a snapshot in time based on historic information which is liable to change. The City of Melbourne accepts no responsibility and disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information contained in this report. Skate Melbourne Framework - Background Paper 3 Introduction and context Melbourne is known within the Skateboarding, and other wheeled Why does skate activity need a local, national and international activities (BMX, Scooter Riding, framework? skateboarding community as a In-Line skating) have some of the great place for skateboarding. Many highest youth participation rates in people visit the city to skate in its Victoria, and Australia, significantly There are challenges associated designated skate parks, streets and outnumbering other organised with skate activity in public spaces, other public spaces. Melbourne is sports (ABS, 2012). Skateboarding so the City of Melbourne is working home to some of the world’s top has been growing as a popular to develop a Skate Framework to skate talent, skate brands, and has form of recreation since the 1960s guide the provision, location and hosted skate world cup events in and is regarded as one key way of management of skating in the city. the past. keeping young people engaged in Skating can contribute to the goal active recreation. For some skaters of making Melbourne “accessible, Skating is popular in Melbourne it is more than just recreation, it inclusive, safe and engaging. Our due to some of the following can also be considered a sport, a streets, buildings and open spaces reasons: career, a lifestyle and a form of self- will be alive with activity. People • The central city is relatively flat expression or art. of all ages and abilities will feel with a lot of it’s hard surfaced secure and empowered, to freely areas being quite smooth participate in their community and lead healthy lives” - Melbourne for • Public Transport is very All People, 2013 accessible with trains, trams and buses operating regularly This background paper outlines in the central city some of the context, elements and culture of skate in order, to inform • Melbourne is known for its discussions about skating in the city. skating talent and culture, many world skate champions have come from Melbourne as have many skate brands and events “Skateboarding is a lifestyle sport experiencing a rapid surge • Melbourne is known for its in popularity... Skateboard fashion and skateboard equipment street culture, street art, street performers, laneways and being are large and fast-growing industries.” a very walkable and people - CSIRO, 2013, The Future of Australian Sport oriented city 4 435900 swimming 131300 104900 football 93700 basketball 651700 tv, dvds, other watching bike riding 362300 roller- skateboarding, blading, scooting Victorian Children’s (aged 5-14) Participation in recreational, cultural and leisure activities. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Table 21, Children’s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, Australia, 2012 – Victoria – 2012. 2013-14 Riverslide Skate Park User Groups 10000 20000 30000 40000 INLINE PARENTS SCOOTER BMX SPECTATOR* SKATEBOARD *Spectator also includes skaters, BMX and scooter riders who are sitting down and watching at the time of the count Annual visitation and user typologies at Riverslide Skate Park 2013-14. Data provided by YMCA. Skate Melbourne Framework - Background Paper 5 benefits of skate activity Skateboarding can have a positive Skateboarding can provide vibrancy impact on social connectedness, in a city and create a positive mental and physical health and impact on the economy and tourism general wellbeing. Skateboarding through skate provision and events also fosters values of personal (Weinstein, R. et al, 2010, pp. 7-8). freedom, self-expression and By providing safe, inclusive and cooperation (Bradley, G.L. 2010). suitable spaces for skateboarding, research has shown these spaces Skateboarding is a flexible and can make surrounding areas safer accessible form of recreation, it and reduce criminal behaviour is a relatively low cost activity to (Woolley, H. et al. 2010, pp. 227). participate in, and as such some people regard it as a part of their lifestyle. For cities, it can be easier and more cost effective to provide facilities for unstructured recreational pursuits such as skating, compared to organised sports that require clubs, designated times, and significant spaces or facilities (Kellett, P. Russell, R. 2009). Teaches practice, Burns calories Improves flexibility Improves balance Diverse demographics persistence and and gets you and oers full body Teaches precision ...and courage and coordination outside workout patience Inclusive and supportive community spirit Builds social skills Builds physical endurance Learning through trial and error and that failing is a part of learning Gratification in learning Learn how to fall and landing new tricks Teaches self-determination Improves mental health An infographic displaying the different benefits to individuals participating in skate activity 6 This floating skate ramp in Lake Tahoe, California, USA was designed by pro skater Bob Burnquist and art director Jerry Blohm for a Californian tourism campaign, which aimed to inspire big thinking. It also recognised and raised the profile of skate in California. Photo provided by Visit California and 9MPhoto Skate Melbourne Framework - Background Paper 7 Skate and the city of melbourne The City of Melbourne has two The City of Melbourne has been various reasons in 4 locations formal skate parks that were built addressing the management across the city; Lincoln Square in in 2001 and 2000, Riverslide Skate challenges of street skateboarding Carlton, Waterview Walk in the Park in Alexandra Gardens and in the city since 1996 (see Appendix Docklands, State Library in central South Kensington Skate Park in Figure 1) and currently provides a Melbourne, and Burston Reserve in JJ Holland Reserve, providing a peer support program called the East Melbourne. There is no formal total of approximately 2400m2 of Skate Safe Ambassador Program framework for the provision of skate-able space. Riverslide receives to help avoid conflict on our streets informal street style skating within 100,000 annual visitors and hosts and in our public spaces. the municipality, nor any private regular events and programs. At skate parks which cater to it. peak times these parks can be While skateboarding does heavily used, and as a result of contribute to the vibrancy and For more information on skating in this and other reasons, skaters activity of the city, it isn’t suitable the City of Melbourne please visit: sometimes seek out other close-by for all public spaces through the melbourne.vic.gov.au/skating public spaces to skate within and city. Through the Activities Local around the central city. Law 2009, City of Melbourne does prohibit skateboarding for Riverslide Skate Park being utilised for a large skate event. Photo supplied by YMCA. 8 CENTRAL MELBOURNE SKATE Moreland B T City Council FACILITY PROVISION City of Darebin Moonee Valley City Council T T P JJ Holland Skate City of Yarra & BMX Park T Maribyrnong City of Melbourne City Council T Riverslide P Skate Park City of Port Phillip Hobsons Bay City of City Council T Stonnington T B FACILITY ROLE MAIN STYLE CATERED FOR Local (SM) T Transitional style obstacles Municipal (M) P Park with street style obstacles Regional (L) B Both equally provided for T Capital city (XL) S Street (endorsed by council) A map of the current central city council provisions of skate facilities 10 Total council facilities in central Melbourne 8 City of Melbourne facilities only 6 4 2 0 Riverslide Skate Park William J Brens Oval T P S SM M L XL 1800m2 17,000m2 A graph comparing the current central city council provisions of A comparison between the amount of space required for a skate skate facilities and the City of Melbourne’s park and a sports oval Skate Melbourne Framework - Background Paper 9 Skater Demographics in The city of Melbourne Melbourne has a high proportion proportion of the residential • 80% identified as both street of young people, people aged 15 population. This also means and park style skaters to 29 years make up the largest spaces provided by City of proportion of the residential Melbourne for skateboarding • Street style locations are population in the municipality, at need to be safe, engaging and a drawcard for skaters in over 40 percent (Melbourne For All inclusive for youth and young Melbourne with 80% favouring People, 2013). Skating also attracts adults informal “street style” locations a large proportion of young people. • Skateboarding is currently a A survey of 324 skaters conducted male dominated