Parks & Recreation

Ollies, air, and flips: help design a skate area where beginners learn to grind

Use a survey to help design new features, obstacles, and elements for a new skate spot for beginners at James Kenney Park. Survey closes November 16.

Published:

November 10, 2022

Last Updated:

November 18, 2022

Let us know which skateboarding features – ramps, rails, stairs, ledges, or something else – would be best for beginners at a new West Berkeley skate area.

Even though we’re looking to design this James Kenney Park skate area as a place for grommets and other newbies, drop in your comments even if you’re a pro.

Should it have a quarterpipe or a roll-in? How about a flat rail or a deck? What other features make for a fun skate area – like seating, shade, or choice of materials?

Let us know by completing a short online survey by November 16th.

Improving James Kenney, improving skater life

The beginner-focused James Kenney skate area, which would use an underused area of the park, strengthens a full spectrum of skate experience at Berkeley parks.

MLK Jr. Civic Center Park is geared toward more intermediate skaters. Harrison Park’s large oval bowl, fun box, and other features attract more veteran thrashers, but there’s also a beginner area.

The planned skate area, which would maintain existing park features, would also be the latest in a series of improvements since 2017, including a replaced picnic area and playground, renovated community center, upgraded basketball and tennis court surfaces, and new trees.

To get updates on this planning phase and beyond, email the project team with the subject line: “Please add me to the James Kenney Park – Potential Skate Spot Park Improvements email list.”

Share the skate spot survey with your friends and help us create a haven for the next generation of Berkeley skaters.