Plaza Skatepark
What is it and why should we embrace it?
The Plaza style park is what every skater seeks yet rarely finds, a street spot created first and foremost for skating. One that is not a pedestrian walkway, parking lot or office building. Since skateboarding has been declared illegal in downtown Regina, many favourite skate spots are now skated only late at night or not skated at all for fear of being ticketed and / or having one's skateboard confiscated. Other spots have been rendered unskateable with the addition of "skate stops",(metal bars or bolts) and heavy cement planters.
Skatepark Designer(s):SITE design group,Inc.& Rob Dyrdek
Skatepark Size: 38 000 sq.ft.
Skatepark Type: Concrete Urban Plaza
Location: Kettering, Ohio
The Plaza is legal street terrain, open to skate when ever the weather is right. No tickets and no hassles. But to the average citizen of Regina, a Plaza skatepark can be more. It can be an aesthetically pleasing place that complements existing landscaping. A skatepark need not be an eyesore to an otherwise inviting public space, and with planning and foresight Regina's newest skateplaza will be a welcome addition to the much enjoyed space at Les Sherman Park.
In fact, if done right the casual person strolling through the park, or driving by on Elphinstone Street should not immediately even think "skatepark", but just see an area in the park that would be just as nice to walk through as skateboard in. The Plaza style park can recreate popular skate spots from both past and present, and make them fun and legal to skate. Here's hoping the citizens of Regina embrace the opportunity presented to provide youth with a functional and attractive recreational facility.