I have seen and skated some of the best and worst facilities around the World and I have designed over 60 skateparks throughout Victoria in the past 15 years. I have completed a series of skatepark directories for Australia in conjunction with Liquid addictions.
Prahran -Sep '02 Pic. Greg Sims
In
addition I was the design consultant for the Sport and Recreation skate manual
update. This booklet advises councils on design considerations, component
choice and information regarding set up and concerns when planning a
skatepark.
Designing skateparks properly is of particular importance to me, as I would not want to use a skatepark which is unsafe or of poor layout and construction. My skate experience, engineering background, ideas and knowledge about the needs of all user groups (skateboarders, inliners and BMX) ensures the skatepark will be well designed.
I am able to assist at any stage
of a skateparks development from creating the initial concept in consultation
with the user groups, youth workers and relevant authorities, assisting
with grant applications and planning permits, developing the working drawings and specification,
providing experienced concreters and/or fabricators to build the facility,
supervising construction and providing professional riders to officially open
the skatepark. I am able to provide advice on layout, location and the flow
of the skatepark, skateable and non-skateable obstacles, and suitable
vegetation/foliage to surround the enclosure. My team and I are available
to run and organise contests and skate safety and “How to” clinics to educate
users about safety skate etiquette when using a skatepark and help them develop their skills in their chosen sport.
My professional qualifications are as follows: I have an Advanced certificate in Mechanical Engineering and unsurpassed knowledge, experience and ideas when it comes to skatepark design.
If you have any questions about your skatepark or any queries please email me - tony@tonyhallamskateboarding.com.au
Listed below are the skateparks I have been involved with:
-Bayside Council. - Peterson reserve skatepark.
-Ballarat Council - BMX jump park strategy with Dinny Spicer (BMX expert).
-Baw Baw Shire. - Warragul/Drouin and
Trafalgar skateparks.
-City of Brimbank. - St Albans
skatepark and vert ramp.
-Shire of Cardinia. - Koo Wee Rup
skatepark. Skatepark strategy completed.
-City of Casey. - Endeavour Hills, Merindah Park, Blind Bight, Narre Warren and Tooradin skateparks. Skatepark strategy completed.
-City of Delatite. - Benalla
skatepark.
-City
of Glen Eira. - Glen Eira skatepark.
-City
of Goonawarra/Kerang. - Kerang skatepark.
-City
of Greater Shepparton. - Tatura and Shepparton skateparks.
-City
of Hume. - Coolaroo skatepark, Gladstone park skatepark.
-City
of Kingston. - Cheltenham skatepark.
-
City
of Latrobe. - Moe and Churchill skateparks.
-City
of Manningham. - Warrandyte skatepark.
-City of Maribyrnong - Yarraville and Braybrook skatepark developments.
-City
of Maroondah. - Croydon and Ringwood skateparks.
-City
of Melbourne. - Kensington skatepark.
-City of Moonee Valley. - Ascot vale skatepark.
-City of Whitehorse. - Box Hill skatepark and Vermont vert ramp.
-Docklands Precinct . - Regional skatepark development, inline speed skating arena and mini ramp.
Skatepark strategy completed.
-Frankston City Council. - Development of new regional skatepark. Skatepark strategy completed.
-Gannawarra Shire. - Cohuna skatepark.
-Gembrook Community. - Gembrook
skatepark.
-Hepburn Shire Council. - Daylesford skatepark and portable facility.
-Hobson's Bay Council. - Skatepark strategy complete.
-Hume City Council. - Jacana mini ramp.
-Inverloch. - Inverloch skatepark.
-Maroondah Council - Croydon and Ringwood skateparks.
-Moreland City Council. - Coburg skatepark.
-Myrtleford. - Myrtleford skatepark.
-Nillumbik Shire Council. - Diamond creek skatepark.
-Peninsula Council. - Portsea skatepark.
-Whittlesea Shire. - Development of Skate and BMX strategy.
-Shire
of Wellington. - Sale skatepark.
-Shoalhaven City Council. - Shoalhaven heads and Callala bay skateparks.
-Stonington Council. - Prahran vert ramp, mini ramp and street course development. Risk assessment
complete.
-Swan Hill Rural Council. - Swan Hill and Robinvale skateparks.
-Surf Coast Shire. - Development of Torquay skatepark.
-Shire
of Yarra Ranges. - Healesville and Yarra Glen skateparks.
A WORD OF WARNING - PLEASE CONSULT:
When Councils are deciding whether to knock down, fill in or destroy and older facility please consult me or someone who knows the history of skate parks here in Australia. Here is a prime example of Councils not consulting the relevant people and just deciding to destroy a 70's relic in Nunawading in Melbourne. This skate facility was constructed in the late 70's, it was concrete full pipes, cut into half pipe and three quarter pipe sections, then the off cuts from the three quarter sections were laid next to the half pipe sections and served as a beginners section or an easier place to start - all of the sections were then laid next to each other and you skated down then back up the pipes. The request from most overseas skaters visiting Melbourne whilst they were on tour was to go to the Nunawading pipes, the last team to go there were the Deca and Black Label crew on their Aussie tour late 2000. Daewon Song busted kick flip ollie blunt and Mike Vallely threw a grind on the 3/4 pipe section of the facility. These older parks should be part of a national trust and be protected for generations of skaters to enjoy or just laugh at, because a lot of them were really bad, but they all have a place and purpose in putting the sport where it is today!
