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About the Skatepark Project

Anderson Valley students, teachers and community members have come together to develop a skatepark in Boonville, CA.

What we've accomplished so far.

  1. Partnered with the AV Community Services District (AVCSD), which serves as the fiscal sponsor for the project

  2. Led a successful campaign to transfer property from AVUSD to AVCSD for skatepark development (WE HAVE LAND!)

  3. Received a $250,000 grant from the CA Legislature

  4. Raised $60,000 from more than 50 individuals and community groups

  5. Completed a community-driven custom skatepark design process

  6. Completed all preliminary engineering surveys and architect site plan

  7. Successfully held a community fundraising event with over $20,000 raised, and more than 30 student and community volunteers

  8. Published the AV Community Park Initiative Development Plan.

  9. Created student-designed and printed merchandise to support the project

  10. Started a student-run custom screenprinting business as a fundraiser

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Click on the image to view the full plan. 

who is behind the av skatepakprject
why a skatepark
what has been accomplished
How design
FAQ
Who is behind the AV Skatepark Project?
Why a skatepark in AV?
Where will the skatepark be located?
How was the skatepark designed?
What other features will be developed around the skatepark?
How much will the project cost?
Will a skatepark attract unwanted behavior?
Is skateboarding dangerous?
What about liability?
Who is behind the AV Skatepark Project?

This project was initiated by students on the Anderson Valley Service Learning Team, an AV Jr/Sr High School after-school leadership group that empowers students to make positive change in the community. The Anderson Valley Community Service District (AVCSD) Recreation Committee has partnered with our student group to advance this project, including fiscal sponsorship of the project.  Various community volunteers have also jumped on board and have helped with various stages of planning and development.

Why a skatepark in AV?

The need for public recreation space in Anderson Valley is critical. Anderson Valley is virtually void of healthy gathering spaces and recreation opportunities, particularly for young people, and this is undoubtedly linked to the high rate of substance use in our junior and senior high. Particularly in the post-COVID era of increased mental health needs among teens, it is essential that we invest in the development of healthy outlets to promote physical and mental well-being. A skatepark will inspire AV youth to be more active and foster cross-generational community connection. Skateparks are a rare space where community members of all ages -- from toddlers to retirees -- share recreation together, making for meaningful and vibrant community connection.  

Where will the skatepark be located?

The skatepark will be located in Boonville, California, on land that will form an extension of the Anderson Valley Community Park, which is located in between the AV Health Center and the AV Jr/Sr High School.  In 2022, students identified the empty acre contiguous to the park as an ideal site for the project due to its central and highly visible location. However, the site and adjacent Community Park were owned by the AV School District, and skatepark development would not be possible on school district land. The students and AVCSD consequently began a joint effort to transfer the entire park property (with skatepark extension) from AVUSD to AVCSD hands. On November 9th, 2022, the AVUSD school board voted unanimously in favor of transferring the AV Community Park property (with additional skatepark site extension) to the AVCSD, at a price of $1. The grant deed transfer from AVUSD to AVCSD was completed on May 18, 2023.

How was the skatepark designed?

AV Service Learning Team students, their facilitators, and a team of AV Skatepark Project volunteers (including a licensed engineer, architect, contractor and graphic designer) have worked together to complete the initial stages of project planning to inform construction. We contracted design-build firm Frontier Skateparks to create a custom design tailored to community preferences and our specific site characteristics. 

 

       The design process entailed:

  • Completion of stormwater drainage and topographic surveys, and preliminary drainage and grading plan. 

  • Completion of geotechnical survey.

  • Development of scaled site plan. 

  • Two community skatepark design meetings:

    • In Community Design Meeting #1, Frontier designers interacted with AV students and community members to explore future users' preferences and ideas through discussion, sketches and clay modeling. 

    • In Community Design Meeting #2, Frontier designers presented two draft skatepark designs, and gathered community preferences and detailed feedback for modifications. 

  • Coordination with AV emergency services chief Andres Avila, who worked with Frontier Skatepark designers to ensure optimal emergency services access.

  • Coordination with Mendocino County Building & Planning Department to ensure compliance with county code requirements.

 

The community design process culminated with a 3-D rendering of our 12,500 sq ft custom-designed skatepark, set in its permanent location, and a more precise cost estimate for construction. The final design was created to accommodate both beginners and advanced skaters, and will welcome skate boarders, roller skaters, bikers and scooters of all ages.

 

What are all of the features included in this development plan?

Skatepark Basics (Phase I):

  • 12,500 skatepark construction

  • Drainage swale

  • Essential pathways

Other Essentials (Phase II):

  • ​Shade structures

  • Benches

  • Student and community art projects, including mosaic entrance/donor wall

  • Trash bins

  • Water fountain

  • Landscaping with native plants

  • New fencing

  • Greenflush convertible vault restroom

How much will the project cost?

 

We are still in the process of estimating the definitive costs of the project. Our rough estimates at this time are:

  • Skatepark Basics (Phase I): $1.2 million

  • Other Essentials (Phase II): $600,000

 

How much have you raised so far?

Check out our Donate page for the latest updates!

Will a skatepark attract unwanted behavior?

No, skateparks actually do the opposite by inspiring people of all ages to engage in healthy activity and connection. There are myriad opportunities in Boonville for people to engage in unhealthy behavior in locations where they can be unseen. The proposed location for this skatepark is in an open, highly visible area, making it an unattractive site for illegal activity.

 

Is skateboarding dangerous?

Skating is a relatively high-risk activity due to the potential for falls and collisions with hard surfaces. However, many other sports (like skiing, snowboarding, biking and team sports like football) also carry inherent risks, and the risks must be weighed with the benefits. With safety precautions such as wearing helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads, risks associated with skateboarding can be minimized. 

Various studies have been conducted to assess the relative dangers of skating, and have largely concluded the perceived dangers of skateboarding to be overblown . A 2018 study published in Research in Sports Medicine concluded that "skateboarding is not as dangerous as it might appear if appropriate risk management steps are taken. Skateboarding should be encouraged as a worthy physical activity and local communities should consider providing specialised, supervised spaces for young people to practice this sport." Similarly, a 2009 University of Montreal publication concluded that "few serious injuries occurred in these skateparks and that these spaces do not correspond to the image depicted of skateboarding in previous research. From this, we suggest that skateparks should be conceived as a valuable health‐resource for youth because they provide various social, psychological and physical resources that encourage a safe and active lifestyle."

 

What about liability?

California regulation grants immunity to public institutions housing skateparks as long as a local ordinance is passed to establish safety regulations for the skatepark and safety regulation signs are posted publicly. 

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VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY

Skaters in Anderson Valley Jr./Sr. High School were interviewed about why they believed a skatepark would benefit the community, where they currently skate, and the types of activities they do in town.

AV community member Brennon Moore speaks in support of the AV Skatepark Project

Check out this video about Laytonville's new skatepark!

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