The first campus skatepark in North America is now open at UBC! The park provides students and youth with a fun and safe recreational space, close to campus neighbourhoods, where they can use skateboards, BMX bikes and in-line skates.

UBC has opened a brand new skatepark on campus, the first of its kind in North America. The skatepark is a fun and safe recreational space for on campus children, youth, teens as well as the community to skateboard, BMX and in-line skate.

Photos by Jamil Rhajiak, UBC

It will serve the needs of UTown@UBC residents and members of the local campus community, as well as the general public. The creation of the new on campus park, dedicated to action sports, is a pro-active effort to accommodate the growing demand for this type of recreational facility.

The UBC Skatepark is a joint project that was completed in partnership with the University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA), who co-funded the park. The skatepark was approved through a comprehensive planning process that included numerous public consultations.

The park is located at the intersection of Thunderbird Boulevard and Health Sciences Mall, and is open from dawn to dusk.

Process and Timeline

Step One: Conducting a Community Needs Assessment

A public open house was held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 so that we could better understand the specific needs of our campus community with respect to the proposed skateboard park. This session was also designed to help the consultant team, Newline Skateparks and van der Zalm + Associates, identify the desired mix of activities that could be accommodated at the proposed park.

Step Two: Design Development

We presented design concepts for the proposed skateboard park, including its possible location on campus. Feedback on the different designs was collected from the community to help inform development of the final concept.

Download the presentation boards see preliminary sketches and possible design directions or the Consultation Summary Report.

Step Three: Presenting the Final Design

The final design concept was unveiled at an open house on August 29th, 2012. There was opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal and specific and detailed comments on elements of the park were taken into consideration.

Step Four: Final Design and Construction

A decision was reached by UBC and the UNA to advance construction of the multi-use skatepark. UBC re-engaged a consulting team to finalize a design based on input from the public consultation process and comments from staff at UBC.

Skatepark Cautions

It’s important to exercise caution when using an action sports facility like the skatepark. Here are some guidelines to be aware of:

Be responsible. This is an unsupervised facility.

Use at your own risk and communicate with fellow users.

This facility is designed for the use of skateboards, in-line skates and BMX bicycles only. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.

Home made platforms, jumps or other obstacles will be removed without notice.

Commercial Use of the Park for private lessons is prohibited.

For your safety and enjoyment please respect the following:

• Wear the gear! Protective helmets, elbow and knee pads are recommended.
• BMX riders – to avoid damaging the concrete and coping, park pegs are required.
• Graffiti is prohibited, just as it is at your house!
• Please help keep the park clean.
• The park is open from Dawn to Dusk.
• Please call 604-822-2222 to report damage or vandalism.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL 911