The newly constructed skatepark is located in the central part of the Stadspark, next to the racetrack on Concourslaan, and features the first concrete bowl in the local area.
The opening event will take place between 3:30 and 7:30pm and will be attended by some of the people whose hard work and determination helped to make it a reality.
The event is completely free and will seek to promote further events throughout the year programed by the city council.
As part of the celebration, skateboarders and BMX riders of all ages are being encouraged to show off their talents and potentially win a whole host of goodies in a competition. The competition are designed to give riders of all skill levels the opportunity to participate. Pre-registration is not required so just turn up and enjoy the afternoon as it unfolds.
Input from the local user groups
Much careful thought has been put into the new facility’s architecture. The design was chosen in consultation with local children and young people who also had the opportunity to input into design briefs of the tenders for a modern skatepark to serve the local community. The city most closely worked with the initiative group Rollend Groningen, an organization that represents the interests of skaters, BMX enthousiasts, and scooter riders.
“The skatepark originally arose out of the consultation from the management plan for the recreation ground,” said Ezra Schrijver, policy advisor of the municipality of Groningen. “The prior consultation of potential users in the design process has ensured that the design meets their expectations.”
At the event, councilor for sports Inge Jongman will speak about the skatepark’s beginnings and her hopes for the future. Groningen’s official say they firmly believe in the unifying and community-building power of sports.
Facilitating urban sports
The new skatepark, Schrijver emphasizes, is the testimony to the city’s continued support and facilitation of urban sports like skating because they give young people a sense of pride and ambition. Urban Sports is a collective term for active recreation primarily practiced on the street, with skateboarding, BMX, freerunning, breakdancing, and mountainboarding being part of the lifestyle.
What makes these pursuits unique is that they’re not just about the physical activity but are also a way of life. Urban Sports promotes interaction and connection regardless of age, background, ethnicity, or station in life. “It has been a national trend for years, and it’s clearly noticeable in Groningen as well,” says Schrijver. “The municipality of Groningen will invest even more in these sports in the coming years.”
The city hopes that the park will offer something for everyone to enjoy – its features include a lot of elements which are likely to cause much excitement among the user group.
