St Albans skate park revamp

It's time to revitalise St Albans skate park and we want to know what you think works, what features are important to you and any suggestions you may have on the proposed design.

Update 6/7/2020

The Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board has approved the amended plan for the skate park at St Albans Park, as per the staff recommendation.

You can read the minutes online(external link)(external link) from Wednesday 8 July 2020.

Update June 2020

Consultation has now closed, and a report will be presented to the Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board on Friday 3 July 2020 for approval of the amended plan. 

Updated St Albans Skate Park Plan [PDF, 4.3 MB]

To view the meeting agenda and report including the staff recommendation from 1 July 2020, go to: christchurch.infocouncil.biz (external link)

Consultation summary

During the consultation, we received 37 submissions from individuals.

65% supported the proposed design.

33% generally supported the proposed design, but had concerns.

2% did not support the proposed design.

Submissions received [PDF, 844 KB]

Key issues with project team responses [PDF, 69 KB]

We considered all feedback and following further input from the project team, some changes have been recommended:

• The two existing walnut trees within the skate area will be relocated and moved to a more appropriate location within St Albans Park.
• The shade umbrellas have been removed as the seating has been moved to the opposite side of the skate park, closer to shade trees. This will allow visitors to watch the activities without being in the way of the skate park or the existing pathways.  The installation of shade umbrellas can be revisited in the future if required.
• The double rollover bumps have been replaced with a low pyramid and wollie ledge and rectangular grind rail.
• A cork (or similar surface) has been included behind the quarter pipe over the mound to prevent gravel travelling into the skate area.
• A small section of barrier has been added at the top of the hipped quarter pipe to help protect users on the path.
• Coloured concrete has been added to the low ramp to platform feature.

Next steps

The final decision is recorded in the meeting minutes, available online three working days after the meeting.

If the proposed project is approved by the Community Board we will be aiming for work to begin in October 2020 and be completed before December 2020.  This is subject to contractor availability and if we are unable to meet this timeframe then construction would be delayed until February 2021 to avoid having the skate park closed over the Christmas holiday period.

Local school children have asked us for more beginner skate features, so we’re extending the skate area at St Albans Park.

What’s new

We’re adding some beginner street-style features. We plan to install rollover bumps, a 0.7m quarter pipe with a deck and a small 200mm platform ramp. This caters to people just starting out.

We also plan to add features that will appeal to experienced riders, by adding a hipped end and extended finger rollover to the two mini ramps .

The design requires the removal of two small walnut trees that we’ll replant or replace elsewhere in the park.

St Albans skate park

Spine and back-to-back min ramps already at St Albans skate park

The park may be small but it packs a punch - it’s home to one of Christchurch’s few spines and back-to-back mini ramps.

The park is currently designed for more intermediate skaters and riders, but we’re hoping the new features will attract beginners too.

We’re planning to almost double the skate park’s area, extending it from approximately 350m2 to nearly 700m2.

The design provides a skate park with improved transition between the current flow features and the beginner street-style extension.

The proposed design opens the skate park up to a greater range of skill levels and users.

Have your say 

We want to know what you think works, what features are important to you and any suggestions you may have on the proposed design.

Your feedback will be given to the Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board to help them make a final decision on the project.

Open all

What's planned

With a focus on beginner level features, we’re proposing to put in a new:

1. Double rollover bump

2. Small hipped end quarter pipe with a platform

3. A small ramp to platform

4. Relocate the existing rail

Pictures indicative of the proposed new features

We’ll be extending the existing spine and back-to-back mini ramps with:

5. Extended rollover with a pump bumps

6. Hipped end off the exiting quarter pipe

7. New balustrades on the exiting skate ramp 

Pictures indicative of the extension to the existing spine and back-to-back mini ramps

Additional features

8.  Bespoke timber seating

9.  Umbrella shade sails 

10. Painted timber poles 

11. Painted lines weaving through timber poles 

Pictures indicative of the additional features

 

The design

The design process

We worked with skate park users to develop a plan designed by skaters for skaters.

The current design is based on the feedback provided at the St Albans Skate Jam in May 2019, by readers of the St Albans Skate e-newsletter and from ideas sent to us by St Albans school children.

 2D plans - click to enlarge 

Current layout at St Albans skate park

Proposed 2D plans for the St Albans skate park revamp

3D images - click to enlarge

St Albans skate park – 3D view of proposed extension design

St Albans skate park – 3D aerial overview

St Albans skate park revamp - 3D aerial overview