Photo Credit: Action Sports Group at Stantec
Since 1997, team sports in America are in decline: basketball participation is down 17 percent, softball has dropped 37 percent, and volleyball has fallen 36 percent.
Meanwhile, skateboarding has surged 49 percent to 14-million U.S. participants, and building a skate park is a growing trend in community development.1 The Wall Street Journal notes, “The number of BMX bikes sold at U.S. bike shops rose 25 percent in 2016 from the previous year, according to the Bicycle Produce Suppliers Association and NPD Group.” Clearly, action sports like skateboarding and BMX racing are here to stay—and not just because they provide a place for the younger generation to have fun in a safe environment but because they connect communities and engage the public.
The brotherhood of the action-sports community has strong bonds because the members are excellent at involving local constituents; from grassroots fundraising efforts to design input to word-of-mouth promotion, these facilities often depend upon community involvement, both during the design process and after. Venues like BMX tracks and skate parks are turning blighted areas into spots for participants of all ages to connect with each other in an approachable and exciting way. The Project for Public Spaces2 further addresses what elements makes a public space “successful.” This nonprofit planning, design, and educational organization defines a successful place as one that is “accessible, people are engaged in activities there; the space is comfortable and has a good image; and finally, it is a sociable place.” Many action-sports projects adhere to these core principles and turn underused sites into attractive “gateway” facilities that welcome users and spectators alike.