Thank you for your input on designing the Miller Drive Park Skate Spot!

Miller Drive Park is a neighbourhood park approximately 3.15 hectares (7.78 acres) in size, situated in Georgetown South within walking/riding distance of a large youth and child population. The park has existing asphalt pathways, good visibility, buffers to residential, St. Brigid Catholic Elementary School, and adequate space to allow for the development of a skate spot.

The Town, working with designers New Line Skateparks and public input from two rounds of consultation, has finalized the design for this skate spot at Miller Drive Park. Below is the final design which is a transition flow style skate spot.

The design balances level of impact on the overall lawn area and quantity of hard surface with providing a well designed skate spot. Alignment and angles of the flow strip have been determined based on size of end ramps and taco corners.

Substantial grass area remains to support the existing informal uses of volleyball and open lawn play within the park. Trees will be planted to provide shade and frame the space between the skate spot and open lawn area.

The second public consultation took place in Summer 2024 and we heard the following themes:

-preference for Option 2 flow and tacos, needs a rail or ledge feature to improve design

-Option 1 has features too similar to existing skateparks

-Option 2 is more fun and usable by bike, roller blades and scooters. Kids can use from an early age

-include elements that promote progression

-would like a volleyball court

-would like more greenspace, don't support construction of hard surfaces

The first public consultation for this project took place in Spring 2023 and we heard the following themes from the community:

-lots of people use the pathways and enjoy the green space within the park

-importance of maintaining function and large area of the circular green space within the park

-seeking different skate experience than nearby Gellert Community Park skatepark

-preference towards 'transition' and 'flow' skateboard terrain

-concerns about the perceived size of features and amount hard surface

-concerns about road traffic, parking and not encouraging people to drive to park

-a few residents did not want any skate features are were concerned about perceived negative impacts of 'skatepark' and 'youth' to the park (noise, crime, undesirable behaviours)

Based on results of the first round of consultation, Town staff worked with New Line Skateparks to develop two skate spot designs for Miller Drive Park for your input and consideration. Please complete the survey below to provide your input on the preferred design by April 15, 2024.

It is important to note that the design of these skate features is to cater to local beginner and intermediate skilled users who skateboard, scooter, BMX bike or inline skate. The features are small in height and overall area making this a 'skate spot' not a large skatepark. These features provide learning skill building and play experiences. The features have been designed to compliment those at other skate spots and skateparks within Georgetown. The small size of the skate spot and lack of advanced features, limits the draw from those outside the neighbourhood or community and the desirability to drive to the park and contribute to traffic and parking concerns.

The design has been connected to the existing asphalt park pathways and integrated into the park greenspace. Addition of benches and trees proposed will compliment park uses, provide seating, shade and there is still significant open greenspace within the central area for unprogrammed sports and play.

What's Next?

The Town is arranging for a skilled contractor to construct the site. We anticipate construction of the skate features in spring/summer 2025.

Why Miller Drive Park?

Based on the 2017 Georgetown Action Sports Needs Assessment, Miller Drive Park was identified as a location for skateboard features. The size of the area is 'skate spot' level which is a grouping of small scale concrete skate features serving the immediate neighbourhood, skateboard, scooter, inline, and BMX users.

Jubilee Park (194 Niagara Trail, Georgetown) has a skate spot that has been a very successful park feature, if you are interested in seeing skate features in person.