City of Waterloo Action Sports Park Location

The City of Waterloo has solicited feedback from the community on 3 potential sites for a new Action Sports Park for use by skateboarders, BMX bikers and inline skaters. This is a petition recommending the City of Waterloo Council select Site 2 on Father David Bauer Drive as the chosen parcel of land based on it being the best-suited to meet the wants and needs of the Park users, on it offering the most potential for future expansion, on it's fit with the area, other recreation-themed facilities and on it being the best-served location in terms of community safety and convenience.

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The City of Waterloo is soliciting feedback on 3 potential sites for the new Action Sports Park (skateboarding, BMX & inline skating) being built in 2010. This is the first of several parks that will be built throughout the city over the coming years but at this time is the only project that has budget allocated and a timeline for completion. The estimated number of potential users of this facility who live within Waterloo is approximately 10,000 based on market statistics and participation rates throughout North America. Parks being planned for future development will serve the needs of individual neighbourhoods within Waterloo and will be smaller in size than the currently planned park. Additional details of the City's Action Sports Facility Strategy are available on their website http://www.waterloo.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=2426.

On January 21, 2010 the City hosted a session to solicit feedback from the community and presented the short list of 3 potential sites:

1. Site 1 Waterloo Park East (within Waterloo Park on undeveloped lands just north of the Eby Farm/Petting Zoo)


2. Site 2 Father David Bauer Drive (FDB) (directly across the street from the Waterloo Rec Complex)


3. Site 3 Erb & Caroline

Based on the plan developed by the City of Waterloo, discussion and feedback at the January 21, 2010 meeting and our own experiences as future users of this park, as well as parents and friends of future users, it is our strong belief that Site 2 on Father David Bauer Drive is the site best suited to the facility. Based on the specific criteria set forth by the City this is our rationale:

Site Specific Criteria:

Park or Urban Setting

• The City, with input from a Special Project Task Force, has created a Waterloo Park Master Plan (WPMP) that includes the long-term vision (next 20 years and beyond) for the 48.5 hectare Park. This Task Force had pre-determined Site 1 Waterloo Park East as the appropriate location for the Action Sports Park. Feedback from future users of the planned Action Sports Park, as well as the community at large, was not solicited.


• Site 1 Waterloo Park East is a problematic location for numerous reasons but the most troublesome is it tucked away in the corner of the park and lacks street visibility and accessibility. It also will not have adjacent washroom facilities for the users of the Park and the current recommendation does not provide the means for longer term vision to expand.


• Site 2 FDB has street visibility, acccessibily and proximity to the Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex, a City facility with mission to provide a safe, fun place for families to get active. Currently, the FDB site is adjacent to baseball diamonds.


• As per the recommendations of the Tony Hawk Foundation:




• Most skaters don%u2019t drive, so a skatepark should be in a central location that%u2019s easily accessible by public transportation (major bus and trolley lines). It should also have a curbside area near the entrance for parents to drop off and pick up their children.


• Skateparks should be located near the street, not tucked away in the back of a larger park area. Hidden locations attract elements other than skateboarders, and can lead to problems the skaters don%u2019t create, but may be blamed for.


• Existing public park areas are ideal locations to add a skatepark. Existing parking facilities, restrooms, and in some cases lighting can save money and allow funds set aside for the skatepark to be used for the actual skatepark, and not amenities.


• In our opinion, Site 3 at Erb and Caroline, although it may have a draw for older users or could act as a supplemental facility, should not be considered due to safety reasons. Although it's highly visible, we have tremendous concern about this location due to the high volume of traffic on the corner of Erb & Caroline. This traffic will only increase with the Barrel Yards development. Skaters & bikers travel on boards & bikes. A higher volume of traffic at this corner, with increased pedestrian traffic is an invitation for tragedy. Of secondary concern is that this site provides no room for expansion, and with bikes, blades & boards in that tight space, you will invite injury and in-fighting with the users. For these reasons we will cease to include this site in our selection rationale.

Adequate Size to Accommodate Anticipated Program Elements

• Based on the Action Sports Plan, a facility intended to serve the entire community should be in the area of 901-2500 sq.m.; at this time the City only has funds to build on the smaller end of the scale.


• The FDB site is the largest of the 3 plots of land and provides the most potential for expansion of facilities in the future.


• Remember, the Master Plan for Waterloo Park does not reflect development that will happen this year or next, it may be 20 years or more before the vision for this area is complete. There are many creative ways to adjust the existing plans to integrate an Action Sports Facility without losing the integrity of the work that has been done to date for this area!


• In addtion to the above concerns, the Waterloo Park Master Plan designates an area in Waterloo Park East is insufficient for the potential number of users of this facility. If expansion were necessary it is highly likely the adjacent lands would not be available due to competing demands for the surrounding areas.

Visibility From Exterior/Interior Roads and Pathways

• See above, FDB site is the only site that meets this adequately.

Impact on Existing Landscape and Vegetation

• FDB location is currently a flat barren spot, has been used for snow accumulation from roads. Minimal disruption during construction would be required as it is easily accessible for park contractors to get equipment in and out. It does not disrupt any existing landscape or vegitation.

Potential for Viewing Areas and Informal Seating

• Based on the Waterloo Park Master Plan, the FDB site would include many features to allow for informal viewing and seating.

Proximity to Shelter

• FDB site is within a 30 second walk to the Rec Complex


• Waterloo Park East, no current shelter

Proximity to Existing Amenities (washrooms, food, etc)

• Again Rec Complex, 30 second walk


• Waterloo Park East, no public washrooms currently nearby, park users will not make the hike to the facilities in other areas of the park, Action Park users going to private facilities will be problematic

Ability to Support Facility Lighting

• FDB Site is already partially lit, with spill over light from the ball diamonds & Rec Complex. Short term it will not require additional lighting until there is adequate funding to provide. At that time, additional lighting can be added to existing system.


• Waterloo Park East, poorly lit in the evening. Unsafe for users.

Proximity to Telephones or Place of Refuge

·         See item above on shelter

Planning Criteria:

Good Transportation Access

• FDB site, easy to access, parking across street, on bus route, near future LRT line, parents can drive up to drop off & pick up. Despite ease of access the street is relatively quiet and traffic safety is of minimal concern.


• Waterloo Park East is accessible only by foot although it is near public transit. Skaters will not be able to skate in due to gravel pathways.

Proximity to Pedestrian Routes

• Both sites have adequate pedestrian access although the FDB site does have a concrete sidewalk for access making it safer for those coming by board and bike.

Compatibility with Current Site Uses

• See notes above.

Proximity to Geographic Centre of Waterloo

• All 3 sites suitable, although FDB site has the closest access to Uptown Waterloo.

Setback or Buffer Zone from Residential

• Residents of Luther Village have been concerned about Site 2 being used for an Action Sports Park due to potential noise. The point nearest to Luther Village from the FDB proposed site is in excess of 200 meters.


• During its own site selection process the City of Portland evaluated the effect of noise on the nearby residential areas. Studies conducted found that although skateboards produce intermittent noise, these sounds are not sustained over long periods of time. The level of noise that is generated at a skatepark is 65 to 71 decibels (dBA Fast) at a distance of fifty feet and drops to 32-49 dBA at 250 feet (Steel Bridge Skatepark Study). This equates to sound levels equivalent to noise from inside a crowded restaurant (70 dbA) and a domestic exhaust fan (50 dbA) (Melbourne City Link Authority, Noise Management Publication, November 1997). Based on their own experiences during a summer competition, even with some 40-60 skaters at the skatepark, the noise was inaudible from less than 200 feet away.


• The The Waterloo Park Master Plan (2010) identified the FDB area as having an intended use as a grand entry way, a children's play area & a splash pad as well as additonal public gathering spaces including a festival area. These activities would contribute to far more noise than the Action Sports Park.

Proximity to Parking

• FDB site has plentiful parking available at the adjacent Rec Complex and the Waterloo Park Master Plan allocates addtional parking for the lands. There is currently parking on the site.


• Waterloo Park East requires access via foot, parking is not adjacent.

Public Transit Accessibility

• Both sites are good now and will have improved access in the future due to the LRT line. This increased accessibility will only increase use of the park & therefore additional consideration should be given to the ability to expand upon the facility.

Social/Economic Impact

• FDB Site offers:


• An extremely positive use for a underutilized piece of land
• A great location to operate a formal Parks & Rec program. Programming could be coordinated through the Rec Complex.
• Engage users of the Park and have them become leaders, encouraging them to become active members of the community and work with other youth who share their passion for Action Sports. Provide an opportunity for youth to serve their community volunteer hours for school acting as Park Hosts.
• FDB site offers a potential revenue stream for new retail expansion in Barrel Yard as well as an additional revenue stream for the concession at the Rec Complex as well as potential to drive revenue for nearby Barrel Yards retailers a(park users & their families will spend money nearby!
• Additional room for potential expansion would provide opportunities such as a facility for rentals/retail which could be subbed out to a private skateboard company (done at many skateparks throughout North America)
• With the new hotel space being developed nearby that will need to fill rooms on the weekends when business travellers go home, the FDB site holds lucrative potential to attract weekend visitors to the area due to it%u2019s family orientation, active outdoor culture, area attractions in addition to Waterloo Park such as St. Jacobs and RIM Park as well as some great shopping and restaurants. Tourism attracts money to the community. Skateparks can act as a destination to draw tourists. It%u2019s a win-win situation.


• It%u2019s very important to think about this project in a much broader context than simply giving this group a place to skate, it%u2019s about creating a positive relationship with them as community members & give them a reason to stay %u2013 both for their post-secondary education and then even more importantly, when they enter the workforce.  If we want to get better at attracting talent to this area to fuel the booming knowledge sector %u2013 generally a much younger and very dynamic demographic%u2014these types of projects are critical.


• In signing this petition you are encouraging the City of Waterloo to be a progressive city and to truly become Canada%u2019s %u2018knowledge capital%u2019 (see recent editorial in The Record citing David Johnston%u2019s comments about how far we still have to go).


• Attracting families and young professionals from the US to fuel our tech sector isn%u2019t an easy sell.


• Although many may look at this project as just a recreation facility, it%u2019s a sign we are reflecting the diversity of the community