Emerald skate park leads the way in contemporary skate park design

Grey concrete ramps have turned into colourful ramps, decks and pipes, as the Emerald skate park receives a ‘world-class’ finish.

Designed by Rural Skate Park Development Initiative members and brought to life by Brisbane-based Indigenous artist Dylan Sarra, the colour pattern covering the park resembles an aerial view of surrounding farmland and was applied using a concrete stain product from the US that doesn’t alter the surface.

Contractor Michael Watson from Infrastructure Rehabilitation Services said often skate parks are either too slippery or too rough when paint it applied to the concrete.

In preparation of the work, Mr Watson and artist Dylan Sarra researched skate parks globally to find the best type of paint to stain the concrete before spending a week on site to apply it.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said council responded to the opportunity to collaborate with skate park users and recognised the work of the Rural Skate Park Development Initiative across the region.

‘I’m told the type of paint used to stain the concrete is world-class and Emerald skate park is the first in Australia to have this type of concrete stain applied,’ Mayor Hayes said.

‘Making this investment not only provides a safer facility that the skate community can be proud of, but it will create better community ownership and responsibility for the facilities’ condition.

‘The skate park is an important space for a wide range of activities and for youth engagement and needs to be treated with respect but more importantly, it should be fun for everyone.

‘We look forward to see the skate community grow.’

President of the Rural Skate Park Development Initiative Aaron Lee said the upgrades had fixed hazards associated with the aging facility and will benefit not only the local skating community.

‘We’re extremely impressed with the final result, it has extended the life of a facility that has been loved by our community close to 20 years, and has driven many of its users to continue working in good faith with local government to see through changes which are mutually beneficial.

‘Not only from a local point of view, but externally this positive change will enable the skate community to grow and attract tourists from all over Queensland to compete in our state championship qualifying competitions held annually.

‘The Rural Skate Park Development Initiative would like to thank council for hearing our concerns and working with us to achieve a project the community is proud of.’