This skatepark in Malmö, Sweden—just across from Copenhagen—was designed by Stefan Hauser from Portland, Oregon. It lies in a somewhat industrial area near the shore and the infamous 'Turning Torso' high-rise by Santiago Calatrava.
First of all I have to say, it rocks. The park is divided into two main parts; a street section which consists of a large open area with moveable ramps and skateable objects, and a ramp section with all sorts of transitions, banks and mounds. In between the two sections there was an array of ledges, stairs and rails intermixed with planters. This was the main area for people to sit. Moms and young-ones had a place to hang while the their kids skated, groups of friends grouped together to talk here too. One thing I noticed though, was the lack of shade. There were planters but no trees, only a few shrubs.
The place was packed. It had a great little snack bar and skate shop. But the best amenity was the 'Container Bibliotek'. This little library had a porch with a deck and a mini movie screen. The park is open 24 hours a day and I can imagine mid summer here at midnight is more popular than at noon.
The bus line went right by the Stapelbäddsparken on its way to the park on the shoreline next to the turning torso. All along the way were smooth bike/skate paths that allowed for easy access from downtown.
I think this is a great example of how skateboard parks and the complimentary amenities that come with it can enliven and illuminate a place. The creative atmosphere is such a healthy and inspiring place for people of all ages.
Skate at your own risk never sounded so re-assuring.
Cristiania Half-Pipe
Copenhagen, Denmark
While touring around Copenhagen I stumbled upon this giant wood half-pipe in the community of Cristiania. It was quite soaked so no skating was happening, but it had this great rustic feeling to it. You don't see ramps set in nature that often but it goes to show that skateboarding can happen anywhere.
There are a lot of different skate-spots in Oslo. My friend Andreas is seen here at Frogner Park which hosts a huge variety of activity, and the skating is allowed to coexist. It's nice to see, and no one complains.
I also hung out at the popular City Hall for a couple hours. It's nice and smooth marble with a little waxed stair and a trash can to ollie over. Nothing really much, but the way the sun bakes the front of the building and how you can see out into the harbor from the steps makes for a nice environment to hang out. The kids sit on the high ledge of the window sill to rest and watch from. This keeps clutter away from the skating surface and provides a place to spectate. The whole place is like a stage for the passing people in the courtyard.
I also stopped at Aker Brygge where there is this great undulating brick surface to play on. I got kicked out after about ten minutes of good skating. No one said anything to the rollerblader or the toddlers with their scooters! I'll be back there to try again, maybe real early in the morning or the middle of the night . . . that's right . . i'm not scared.
A path in the park was roped off for a fast and challenging skateboard course. The contest was a sponsored event with a DJ and prizes for the winners. I think the last guy you see in the video ended up winning. I ran into him on the street the next day and he was limping, but he had a big smile on because he won.
I took a run down the course, it was really really fast. My street board was not equipped to handle the speed. Most people had full padding with pieces of plastic on their palms for sliding their hands along the ground.
It was nice to see a park that I had been to before which is usually infested with moms and strollers get converted into a race course for the skater community. People were really bonding and taking full advantage of the space that had been handed over to them for the day.
In general people are given more freedom to do dangerous stuff in public here. I think there are less rules about liability and the like, which not only makes for a really fun time, but allows people to push their physical limitations and really feel the essence of a place.
Youngstorget Halfpipe (below)
This ramp is a temporary installation in the square.
Junkyard Skate Mission (above/right)
This is a skatepark made by some local skaters, I found it because I live right next to it. When I first arrived I moved the pieces around a little to suit my skating, the next time I showed up it was totally different again.
Today I ran into some skaters there, it was their first time and we had a session on the steel rail and plywood bank. They were nice guys why go to the art academy in Oslo.
Ever since day one of skateboarding this sort of setup is always an option. Some durable scraps in a pile become anything you can make out of them. I had a little park like this in my driveway growing up. It was much more private of course, although my parents might contest that. It was made from plywood and logs and pretty much anything I could find in the neighborhood.
The Abandoned Park (below)
Painted in red on it's ramps, this park asks the question 'What's Up??.' I think the answer is that it needs some serious help. The bigger ramps were doing ok, but they too were about to go.
