Design consultation and feedback results

An onsite consultation session was held on 9 December 2015 along with online feedback during the month of December for the design of the relocated skate park in Mount Cotton Community Park.

Consultation with local youth and residents provided important information on what features of the existing skate park should be retained and other elements which could be introduced into the new skate park.

Skate park design specialists Enlocus was engaged to create a draft concept design plan based on the feedback gathered during the initial consultation.

The draft concept design was made available for comment and feedback in early March 2016. Here is the summary of the results from the consultation:

The main points of the feedback from both the skate community and the residents:

Local residents concerns

More shade

• The new skate park location offers more shade than the existing skate park. There is large existing tree within the skate park and the creek vegetation will offer shade at various times of the day. The proposed trees can be of larger stock to aid in additional shade for the skate park in the future.
• The inclusion of an integrated shade structure also offers new shade opportunities in the within the skate park.

Areas for younger children and beginners

• This new layout allows beginners to move more freely around the whole park without fear of colliding with more advanced skaters.

• Council has also included a future perimeter path that is separate from the skate park. This allows younger children to observe and be involved in the skate park but remain separated for safety.

Concerns regarding conflicts with basketball court

• The existing basketball court has been integrated into the design to maximise on the skateable surface and to make creative use of the budget. We believe that the frequency the basketball court is used there will be minimal conflict.

Inclusion of bins, drinking fountains and furniture

• Bins, drinking fountains and furniture/seats were included in the draft concept design and the this has been retained in the final concept design.

Skaters concerns

More street plaza style of skatepark

• The design has been amended to include a more street style plaza. The designers have found a good solution by mirroring the coffin from north to south across the skatepark and extending the 'street area' to the east.

• Due to skater feedback Council has removed the half bowl from the concept design. This has allowed us to mirror the coffin from North to South and provide a street style area to the east.

Conflicts between skaters due to space restrictions

• By re-thinking the transition area the park can now support more users as the previous transition condition/area could only support one skater at a time.

Inclusion of bins, drinking fountains and furniture

• Bins, drinking fountains and furniture/seats were included in the draft concept design and the this has been retained in the final concept design.