Australia's first longboard park
Did you know Australia has a claim to the World's first skateboard park? Many claim to be the first, usually the argument centres on two parks in the USA, California Skateboard City and Carlsbad Park. There was a skatepark created and skated in Albany Western Australia in 1975 (maybe early '76). In fact it still exists, and gets skated every day. So it would definitely have the be the oldest skatepark still in use, and probably was Australia's first skatepark.
Have a quick read of the history of Albany skatepark, and how it was created.
What's this all got to do with Australia's first longboard park?
I read that story, and thought these kids managed to organise themselves to build one of the world's first skateboard parks.
Longboarders number in the tens of thousands in Australia and we still do not have a park designed and built specifically for longboarding. Skate parks do not get created in Australia by some big skateboard association. We can not expect ASRA one day to announce they will build a park. Skateparks get built because skaters of all ages get together and fight old people in council meetings. They hassle the government so much they give in or at least listen.
So I am starting a discussion. The idea is to discuss making Australia's first longboard park or
roads specifically for longboarding. Lets talk about design, size, purpose, lobbying and funding.
Something like this can only be done if a group get together and make it happen.
Maybe we can create a framework/document, to help longboarders all over Australia to approach their local government to get something built in their area.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ben freifeld on
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i know a place just north of wollongong and there is heaps of potential, its been surfaced with tar and gravel all it needs is a bit of tarmac. there are about 16 possible runs
and it was designed for access to remote houses with arent
there the hills are steep and the corners are banked if i were rich it would already be up and runing
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jambaroo 35 min from wollongong big hills and no trees rocks or clifs just grass and some of the roads are empty from traffic there is a run we sometimes do is 3km of switchbacks and steep graidients really smooth and fun.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Liam McMillan on -
South west.
ben freifeld said:
i know a place just north of wollongong
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Jake Elliott on -
A skatepark Nimbin built just recently, http://www.skateboardingaustralia.org.au/Blog/recon-nimbin-nsw
I used to get in to skating park and vert and I loved it but now it just makes me envious that so many funds and approvals get thrown at skateboarding..... we need facilities of this caliber to suit longboarding to start getting built in each state
Even suitable roads improved and shutdown at certain times during the week would be great, Jetski riders get thier own areas set aside in the Swan river over here, I don't really see the difference! I don't believe skateboarding has a body representing them nationally, it has just seen as popular sport due to the sheer number of people that skateboard maybe?
We don't have the luxury of sheer numbers (yet), I think high financial membership levels in our national body, will carry more weight and help with much needed funds and support when forwarding proposals, lobbying councils, local or state government to have longboard specific facilities built
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Permalink Reply by corey-james on
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if something like this is going to be put together i will definitely give my full support and help out with it if i can
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Jonny Hurn on -
All we need is a good location.
If would need to be fairly cheap land not too far outside a big city with an existing road.
It can’t be that hard to find. I’m excited in reading this thread and seeing proposed tracks we will have access to but it’s no dedicated park. I want a dedicated park and I want it in Sydney, or atleast close by. In less than two weeks the UNSW longboarding society went from me and a handful of friends to 46 official members after our first AGM a few weeks back (It’s now close to 80) and that is just through word of mouth. We have the numbers, the money can be raised, and I at least have the drive to get this kind of thing done. So let’s stop talking and do it.
1) Location
2) Design
3) Funding
4) PermissionAll those who are keen to help in any aspect of this hit me up
http://www.skateboardracing.org.au/group/longboard-park-planning
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Permalink Reply by Mudjimba on
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I think this is a bloody great idea. Why not build or at least add on specific elements required for long boarding to existing parks? The idea to have long skinny winding tracks specifically for downhill is also brilliant. Great argument Hop, we should seriously mobilize and get organized as a community of long boarders to push for shit like this. Why not? Do we seriously have anything to loose?
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Permalink Reply by HOltzy on
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I have a mate from school who's a producer at ABC. I'm gonna try and get him onboard to do a story supporting the construction of a dedicated longboard park. If he does take the project on, it's gonna take all of us to stand by him and the general message to start the ball rolling. Wish me luck
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Callan Weild on -
Just an idea, but maybe this could have a similar design to a snow field set up. Different runs for levels of experience.
I know that's a huge thing, when getting funding for 1 run would be difficult as it is, but still something you could take into consideration.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Callan Weild on -
Oh and for anyone that lives in QLD, focusing on SE QLD. Heard of Drifters (located in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast)? It is a housing estate that is privately owned and no houses and I'm not sure what is going on with it, but could be a prime location for free-ride park... worth a look.
Hasn't had houses in it for years now. Illegal to skate there but still amazing to skate.
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Permalink Reply by Boomerdog on
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a flow park with jumps & berms aready exists at san remo on central coast its the old mountainboard park, this imo just needs a few changes & a dose of asphalt to make this a reality...would make an awesome longboard boarder cross venue..
http://www.lakesmail.com.au/news/local/news/general/extreme-plan-wo...
us tranny skaters lost the bowl in the park a few years ago @ san remo because of local idiots burning stuff (ie bins in the bowl)
the council got fed up & just filled it in.
it looks like the council are looking to develop the old extreme park..this could be useful to this topic...
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