Slog
News & ArtsTuesday, February 9, 2010
City While We're Buying Up Property on Capitol Hill...
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 9:20 AM
...to build new urban parks, can we please start making plans to build—and then actually build—a skatepark in one of these new parks? People who live on Capitol Hill who skateboard—and people who live on Capitol Hill whose, ahem, children skateboard—don't have a goddamn skatepark. Capitol Hill is the most densely populated neighborhood in the city, lots of skateboarders live on Capitol Hill, lots of kids who skateboard live on Capitol Hill, and Capitol Hill's skateboarders shouldn't have to schlep—or be schlepped—to Seattle Center or Greenlake to get to a skatepark.
The space right behind the Seattle Asian Art Museum isn't particularly lovely, is in shadow for most of the day, and is usually deserted. How about there? How about building a half-acre skatepark in the seven-acre Cal Anderson Park?
2
Well, seems to me the skaters need to step up and organize to make it happen. As someone who helped raise the money for John and Summit park, I can tell you it wasn't the easiest row to hoe. Of course, we did make sure to reach out to the skate community and made the skate dot a priority for the park.
I don't think we should take away green space we already have, but I don't think the CHCC would have issue working with skaters to develop a new space. Of course the skaters will have to take lead cause it's their issue.
But really Dan, shelp all that way? The Seattle Center is about 10-15 minutes away on the 8.
I don't think we should take away green space we already have, but I don't think the CHCC would have issue working with skaters to develop a new space. Of course the skaters will have to take lead cause it's their issue.
But really Dan, shelp all that way? The Seattle Center is about 10-15 minutes away on the 8.
3
No skateparks in Cal Anderson and in Volunteer Park. No. There's that wonderful vacant lot just up the hill from the church, it was going to be condos but it's just weeds now, why not there?
Enigma @2 is right. Seattle Center is down the hill (try that on a board!).
Enigma @2 is right. Seattle Center is down the hill (try that on a board!).
6
It's not a full on skate park but the 'Perugia' park being built at Summit & John will have a skate dot feature http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2010/0…
The community group that helped make it happen is really organized and good at raising funds and work required to get this stuff done. http://seattleskateparks.org/
The community group that helped make it happen is really organized and good at raising funds and work required to get this stuff done. http://seattleskateparks.org/
8
You had me until "The space right behind the Seattle Asian Art Museum isn't particularly lovely".
That's one of the most lovely spots in the park, with plenty of beautiful trees, and it get's lots of use. It's also a great place for people with friendly dogs to let them run around together without bothering the dog-hating crowd.
Skate parks don't require a secluded, wooded location. They work better where people can gather, hang out, and watch (there's always a small crowd of observers at the Seattle Center skate park, and my kids always want to stop and watch when we walk by). Cal Anderson would be a much better location, and it's closer to Washington Middle School, SAAS, Northwest School, and all the Pike/Pine fun.
That's one of the most lovely spots in the park, with plenty of beautiful trees, and it get's lots of use. It's also a great place for people with friendly dogs to let them run around together without bothering the dog-hating crowd.
Skate parks don't require a secluded, wooded location. They work better where people can gather, hang out, and watch (there's always a small crowd of observers at the Seattle Center skate park, and my kids always want to stop and watch when we walk by). Cal Anderson would be a much better location, and it's closer to Washington Middle School, SAAS, Northwest School, and all the Pike/Pine fun.
9
amen #5. We childless homos living meaningless lives like it kid free. It's not all about DJ or VJ or whatever his name is. Besides Dan will be moving to some squeeky clean suburb soon anyway. If we must have a skate park, how about Colonnade park?
10
Nice to see Seattle De-Densifying.
Maybe someday you guys can become a nice little exurb like the rest of us and not be so pushy.
Nice to see Seattle De-Densifying.
Maybe someday you guys can become a nice little exurb like the rest of us and not be so pushy.
13
@2 Amen Sister!
Don't take away greenspace we already have. Don't touch even an inch of Cal Anderson or Volunteer Park.
But yes, I'm sure there's a vacant lot somewhere which could be used for this purpose.
Don't take away greenspace we already have. Don't touch even an inch of Cal Anderson or Volunteer Park.
But yes, I'm sure there's a vacant lot somewhere which could be used for this purpose.
14
a chicken in every pot, a car in every garage and a skate park close enough for danny savage to make his kid walk to so he doesn't have to "schlep" him a ten minute drive.
talk about a whining entitled old man. let's build danny his skate park and attach a dog park to it, for pit bulls only.
talk about a whining entitled old man. let's build danny his skate park and attach a dog park to it, for pit bulls only.
15
Horrible idea. The skate-park down on Lakeview Boulevard area is strewn with garbage. Frankly skate-boarders dont know how to keep a park nice and I don't want one in my neck of Cap Hill. You need to think things through better before you make proclamations such as this
16
Volunteer Park is a terrible idea. That park tends toward more of a peaceful sanctuary, compared to Cal Anderson which is more urban.
And I definitely support it if it reduces the number of skateboarders on city sidewalks.
And I definitely support it if it reduces the number of skateboarders on city sidewalks.
19
@15 Lakeview has a dog park and mountain biking course not a skate park! Clearly you don't go there to see the "strewn garbage" or you would know that!
I couldn't agree more about the need for more skate parks in this city. Skate parks keep young boys (and girls) out of trouble and give them a place to act out their energy and aggression in a healthy way!
I couldn't agree more about the need for more skate parks in this city. Skate parks keep young boys (and girls) out of trouble and give them a place to act out their energy and aggression in a healthy way!
20
I agree with the notion of a skateboard park on Capitol Hill, but your choices are terrible.
Volunteer park is the largest greenspace in Capitol Hill, and should not be chopped up for a skatepark.
Don't forget that Cal Anderson park is basically a lid over the water reservoir. As a practical matter, is there any place there that you can dig a hole for the bowl? Otherwise you'd have to build up the whole thing above ground level.
You have a valid request, but you need to find a better location.
Volunteer park is the largest greenspace in Capitol Hill, and should not be chopped up for a skatepark.
Don't forget that Cal Anderson park is basically a lid over the water reservoir. As a practical matter, is there any place there that you can dig a hole for the bowl? Otherwise you'd have to build up the whole thing above ground level.
You have a valid request, but you need to find a better location.
21
Good on you, Dan. I used to skate, very hard to find a place that doesn't say No Skateboarding these days.
22
Under I-5, near the underused dog park and the mountain bike course. It's perfect.
For inspiration, of course, use Burnside in Portland:
http://www.skateeugene.org/images/otheru…
For inspiration, of course, use Burnside in Portland:
http://www.skateeugene.org/images/otheru…
23
colonnade is too REI-mountainbikery, and not Capitol Hill, but would be a good spot because it's COVERED.
I vote for smack-dab in the middle of Cal Anderson Park. The krusties in their ave-rat gear would have move to the other side of the park to lounge, but a few of them have skateboards so they'd be cool with it. Right behind those buildings (I assume those are dirty restrooms). Make it huge. Cover it. Give back to Those Which You Have Followed for all these years (true, we skateboarders borrow from others first, but you look to us first for so much--amazing, yet undeniably true).
And, hey: why not commission the help of The World's Premiere Skatepark Builders, who are from SEATTLE? --oh yeah, Seattle has always hated skateboarding: see the many DIY/Burnside-esque projects that the Grindline guys have had demolished by the City over the years...Ballard Bowl...etc.
Find me an empty dry skateboard park, anywhere. You cannot. I'll show you dozens of ballfields all over the city that sit huge and empty. That always blows my mind.
I voted for McGinn to see something along these lines...ANYTHING!
It was great when you hated us, that that did have its advantages...but now: build some skateparks. Jesus fucking christ already boy howdy jeeez etcetcetc
I vote for smack-dab in the middle of Cal Anderson Park. The krusties in their ave-rat gear would have move to the other side of the park to lounge, but a few of them have skateboards so they'd be cool with it. Right behind those buildings (I assume those are dirty restrooms). Make it huge. Cover it. Give back to Those Which You Have Followed for all these years (true, we skateboarders borrow from others first, but you look to us first for so much--amazing, yet undeniably true).
And, hey: why not commission the help of The World's Premiere Skatepark Builders, who are from SEATTLE? --oh yeah, Seattle has always hated skateboarding: see the many DIY/Burnside-esque projects that the Grindline guys have had demolished by the City over the years...Ballard Bowl...etc.
Find me an empty dry skateboard park, anywhere. You cannot. I'll show you dozens of ballfields all over the city that sit huge and empty. That always blows my mind.
I voted for McGinn to see something along these lines...ANYTHING!
It was great when you hated us, that that did have its advantages...but now: build some skateparks. Jesus fucking christ already boy howdy jeeez etcetcetc
24
Like other's suggested, there's space by the Collonnade MTB area, and it doesn't get rained on. The mountain biker would probably like to hurt themselves on some skate features sometimes. I'm there pretty often and haven't noticed it to be "trash strewn" at all. It's probably the cleanest space under a freeway you're going to find.
But it's a pretty big hike back up to the main part of Cap Hill.
But it's a pretty big hike back up to the main part of Cap Hill.
26
The DIY Marginal Way Skatepark is covered and has been going strong for 5 years. It is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit:
http://www.myspace.com/marginal_way_skat…
http://www.marginalwayskatepark.org
http://www.myspace.com/marginal_way_skat…
http://www.marginalwayskatepark.org
27
As someone who's nearly been run down any number of times by the "kids" (some of whom look to me to be at least in their late 20's) thrashing on the sidewalk in front of 35th North (which, BTW is just down the street from The Stranger offices, and which might in part account for Dan's attitude), I would say a skate park somewhere in the vicinity of Cal Anderson/SCCC would probably be a good addition to the neighborhood, particularly if the CapHill Street Car ends up utilizing routes along the Broadway/12th Ave corridor, which could make skating on those streets even more problematic than it is currently.
28
For all of the density and urbanization cheerleading, the majority of the populace has some weird fucking hangups about skateparks. There's only two skateparks out of hundreds of parks in the entire city. Give the kids (and skateboarding adults) some more space to play!
29
I would get off my skateboard to give you a big hug if you said I looked to be in my late 20's (old dudes are actually the ones to worry about the least--we've seen it all in the way of sidewalk/street maneuvers and the last thing we want is to run into you...since skateboards are illegal in the street AND on the sidewalk in Seattle, we're good at slipping through. Unfortunate, but true).
I think Dan's "attitude" towards skateboarding is consistent with his other views: overall pretty logical and practical. There are enough skateboarding Seattleites to warrant more skateparks: done.
The problem is and has always been: skateboarders are mostly kids. Kids don't vote. That skateboarding's latest popularity cycle is so high has given rise to the Skate Mom and Dad. Good for awareness (seriously, it's great excercise, it's as creative as anything, it's inclusive, it's fun, it's FUN!), bad for teen outlaw image...still able to roll around on one, I love this new wave of skateparks.
I think Dan's "attitude" towards skateboarding is consistent with his other views: overall pretty logical and practical. There are enough skateboarding Seattleites to warrant more skateparks: done.
The problem is and has always been: skateboarders are mostly kids. Kids don't vote. That skateboarding's latest popularity cycle is so high has given rise to the Skate Mom and Dad. Good for awareness (seriously, it's great excercise, it's as creative as anything, it's inclusive, it's fun, it's FUN!), bad for teen outlaw image...still able to roll around on one, I love this new wave of skateparks.
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