For decades, Evanston-based skateboarders have rallied around the idea for a local permanent skateboard park. Without a dedicated space to skate, other urban and park environments became adaptive hubs for such. As the saying goes, "skaters gonna skate," and in communities where there is no skatepark, the community becomes the skatepark.
- Video showcasing the parks evolution from concept phase to built reality.
"I can honestly say they’ve never explored a park so comfortably as they have this new park in Evanston. It’s been so much fun to just watch them take off and explore and hit every single corner of the park and feel like they’re at home.”
– EVANSTON RESIDENT AND BMX RIDER, PATRICK HAGEMAN · INTERVIEWED BY THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
Recognizing the need to provide a dedicated place for wheeled sports enthusiasts, the City of Evanston turned to the community for inspiration and guidance.
As prime consultant, Teska had the joy of engaging the local resident and skater community, which included a broad cross-section of "wheely" cool folk. From advanced skateboarders to parents with children, skater teens and local businesses and residents; locals of all ages and experience levels came together to share their vision.
"Here in Evanston, the skateboard community is really connected, and they’re so focused on helping one another out,” Mariano said. “In addition to the skatable surfaces, there was a lot of design effort put into creating spaces where people could watch one another, come together and learn from one another.”
- Jodi Mariano of Teska Associates, the lead consulting firm on the project | Excerpt, The Daily Northwestern
Community Centered Engagement
To truly put the "community" into the plan-making process, Teska focused initial outreach activities on sourcing inspiration imagery directly from the intended users. Skateboarders, roller skaters, rollerbladers, BMX riders and scooter fans submitted photos that informed the content used in future polls, visual preference surveys and interactive design workshops.
From this public outreach a wish list was formed identifying the types of skating infrastructure craved most. Teska then channeled this consensus to create the park's concept design, which showcased the ingredients and site amenities prioritized. Construction documentation and construction administration then followed.
Skate Park Features
- 10,000 square foot custom concrete skate park
- Bowl, quarterpipes, wedges, stairs, ramps and a variety of steel skate elements
- Pole mounted LED lighting
- Custom cantilevered shelter
- Rain gardens and native plantings
- Site furnishings including benches, picnic tables, bike racks, drinking fountain, signage, portable toilet enclosure and trash / recycling receptacles
Concept Plan to 3D Rendering
"Keep going, little ripper! We want to see that Fakie 180."
- Visiting Chicago skater encouraging his daughter
“Great park, obstacles for everyone, and my personal favorite, the bowl.”
- Luca, Skatepark Advisory Committee
Evanston's skate park is the product of a collaboratively designed public place that integrates elements for beginner and experts alike, as well as spaces for folks to gather, watch and learn. It is a piece of active, living social infrastructure that will continue to foster the art of skating within a dedicated community space.
"I was very excited how the whole park feels it can work for every level of skating, not only for people who’ve been skating for a long time. On our way here [my daughter] said, "I want to explore the whole park." She loves that she can move from one section to another, going up and down and even try some new stuff like drop ins.
– SKATER FROM CHICAGO REFLECTING ON THEIR FIRST FEW VISITS TO EVANSTON'S SKATE PARK
Teamwork
The Skate Park received funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space and Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant. Coordination with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) and other local utilities were included. Teska’s fabulous design partners include Spohn Ranch Skate Park Designers and Christopher Burke Engineering.