Two stages of community engagement were undertaken to develop the final design of the Knox Skate & BMX Park Extension.
Stage 01 (Gather Ideas) held in November to December 2022
Stage 02 (Draft Design) held in January to February 2023
Community engagement activities
Community engagement activities included:
Stage 01 - Community Feedback
The common themes from the responses received were:
- to ensure the proposed extension will be designed to provide obstacles that are tailored towards beginner and intermediate skill levels to provide for skill progression within the facility.
- a combination style extension that includes both street and transition elements
- the provision for areas of refuge and shade throughout the day
Target User Group
The community workshop feedback has highlighted skateboarders as the majority of users. It will however, cater to all user groups including those participating in BMXing, scooter, roller skating and all other active wheeled sport disciplines, as well as those non-active participants looking to spectate. The majority of participants use the facility on a daily basis in the morning between 7am and 11am or in the evening between 3pm and 7pm.
Skill Level Provision
There was a relatively even spread of abilities within the workshop and online consultation, however beginner to intermediate was the most common response with a smaller number of advanced riders providing feedback. This highlights that experienced riders providing feedback most likely utilise the exisitng skatepark often due to its current provision for advanced riders. The proposed extension will be designed to provide obstacles that are tailored towards beginner and intermediate skill levels to provide for skill progression within the facility. This will allow for beginner users and future generations to learn and continue ongoing progression up to an advanced skill level and for advanced users to continue to be challenged and remain interested.
Skate Typology
Participants favoured a combination style extension that includes both street and transition elements. When exploring facility typologies further it became apparent that street and plaza features were more highly valued however transition obstacles should be included to increase flow and maintain speed within the facility. The majority of respondents preferred to have the layout of the park in a more traditional style which maximises skate opportunity through the ability for end users to interpret the design creating unique skate lines.
Skate Vision
The community workshop had an open forum for the skate typology discussion, with the majority of riders favouring an interesting creative facility which is made of street and transition style obstacles that are unique and create flow. There was an overwhelming response for the inclusion of a mini ramp or new mini bowl with some highlighting that end users have been requesting this feature for a number of years. Other key features included a spine, flat rail, down/out rail, banks, kerbs, long ledges and funbox.
Comments:
" Surf skate walls and flat open areas for surf skate training."
"A mini half pipe as the only other ones of that size are in Fitzroy North or Noble Park."
"Mini halfpipe like St Kilda."
"Beginner spine and mini ramp."
"A smaller more mellow half pipe to practice tricks on to take to the larger bowls as it's quite hard to step up to, a low flat bar would also be really nice."
"A quarter pipe that flows from the bottom of the existing Park. Put in features that work with the way the park flows!!!"
"Funbox."
User & Spectator Amenities
To ensure a central community space that can be used by a variety of different user groups, the facility will investigate if additional social opportunities are required within the extension works. The provision for areas of refuge and shade throughout the day was highly requested by participants and should to be considered throughout the design process. In addition, the use of exisitng mature tree species on site to provide natural shade will be considered. Many participants who weren’t active skaters highlighted the need for investigation into additional seating, circulation, social hangout zones and spectating areas are important for these spaces and if possible these should be included within the proposed design.
Comments:
"Small undercover skate area for rainy days."
"Spectators closer to the actual skate park. At the moment, I'm unable to watch them from the playground."
Iconic Elements & Local Identity
To celebrate the Knoxfield Skatepark and give the facility its own identity the design should investigate the introduction of unique materials such as timber, brick or paving to provide a skateable area that is more reflective of the urban realm. One participant highlighted that a skateable “Knox” sign would be a great inclusion and provide a unique feature that is recognisable.
Comments:
"Love that there's lots of stuff that you can't find anywhere else (small and mellow quarter pipes, plaza-style steps and those weird angled things)."
"Would love to see more graphics from the locals! A lot of them have brands they run - clothing, skate, photography and it would be great to showcase some of their work at the skatepark through the use of billboards or the ability for them to takeover a space with their branding and help the community grow! The skatepark would be a great space to get more likeminded creative individuals together!
It would also be great to have a little piece as a throwback to the older crew! A lot of us are starting to come back and a lot of the younger crew that are in right now don't know about the history of the park - eg how we didn't have benches, shade, lights for years so would be great to have a throwback to that! "
"I love how Fiona brings art to the Skatepark."
"No idea but if you want people to like the park more you should put some low impact stuff and get an actual skatepark building company to make it like Fitzroy skatepark, that place is beautiful and I've heard so many positive things about it from the community."
"Skating schools and industrial parks, curbs benches and the bike path drains."
Stage 02 - Community Feedback
Overall the draft concept was well received by the community.
The common themes from the responses received were:
- needs more amenities such as shade and toilet facilities
- more drinking fountains
- missing obstacles such as a flat rail, banked hip or spine
- more continuous flow and less start-stop-start-stop
Comments:
"The whole gilbert park needs an after hours toilet block that is accessible."
"The design looks good but it needs more drinking fountains, seating areas, definately shading from trees to make it more bareable in the hot summers."
"Looks fun, but not particularly unique.
Could the mini section be closed to create bowled corners, or is it a drainage issue?
Is there a reason for the weird extension being removed?
And, what's that below where that extension is, a tight little bank or a straight drop?"
"I love the new design for the skatepark, would love if the existing skate surfaces could get resurfaced though!!"
"Think it needs large trees including to ensure shade and soften the harsh concrete "
"Looks good and well rounded, something for everyone, please make the long rail a square one. Huge concern of the water there though. It's a the lowest point where all the water collects."
"Draft looks sweet, park looks really fun and adds alot of diversity and new obstacles to ride. Im really liking this draft and would be over the moon with this as the final build. My only concern would be not over polishing the concrete like most new parks are, as it becomes way to slippery for bike tyres."
Next steps
Thank you to all of the residents, stakeholders and members of the community who provided feedback and ideas.
Based on your feedback and ideas, we have now developed a final design that reflects community needs, user requirements and the overall project vision.
The next phase of the project will be tendering the delivery of the skate & BMX park extension, with construction anticipated to commence in the 2024/25 financial year.
