Case Studies

Ross Reserve Youth and Urban Skate Park

Design Feature

Type of project
Local Government Initiative
State
Victoria
Location
Urban
Greater Dandenong is home to approximately 27,000 young people. Among this demographic, those between the ages of 15 and 19 have the third highest levels of disengagement from work and employment throughout metropolitan Melbourne. The Ross Reserve Youth and Urban Skate Park was built to enhance social and recreational opportunities in Greater Dandenong, and encompasses state of the art skate facility and youth precinct, providing a destination for families, children, young people and the community.
Creating a positive culture
City of Greater Dandenong aimed to positively transform an area into a public open space that facilitates an inclusive culture, as a means of addressing antisocial issues and reducing incidents of crime. To achieve this, Greater Dandenong Council actively engaged with residents, including those from the broader skateboarding community, and additionally drew inspiration from international Skate Parks to incorporate ideas into the overall design.
The park features a bowl element, snake run, beginner’s bank/bowl, kiosk and viewing space which enables shared use for skaters, BMX and scooters from all skill levels, including beginner to advanced. The contemporary design of the park makes it a landmark and meeting location for Greater Dandenong residents, subsequently fostering a sense of place in the area. 

The space additionally encourages informal social and recreational opportunities as well as organised programs and opportunities particularly for those of vulnerable and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Since its construction Council has:
  • Officially opened the Ross Reserve Youth and Urban Skate Park - September 2015.
  • Facilitated seven continuous weeks of daily engagement activities from the opening date and two weeks of daily skate park activities during the Youth School Holiday Program. Facilitated a Volunteer Skate Park Committee made up of a diverse group of young people within the skate and BMX community.
  • Coordinated ongoing engagement activities at the Skate Park twice a week.
  • Organised five competitions that range from small scale local competitions to large scale competitions involving national and international skaters, resulting in the engagement of over 2,000 people.
  • Improved integration with the neighbouring Noble Park Aquatic Centre and the Noble Park Major Activity Centre through a new path network that has improved pedestrian connection.

Project team
  • City of Greater Dandenong

Project Cost
$2,409,000
Health Value
  • All scheduled programs and events offered to young people are inclusive, fully supervised and drug, alcohol and smoke-free creating a positive, safe and healthy environment for young people to participate.
  • A recent survey conducted as part of the Ross Reserve User Research Project indicates users feel safer in the park since the redevelopment. As a result, more people are accessing the area to skate in and walk through which has increased their level of physical activity.

Economic Value
  • The precinct now attracts more people to the area through both the day-to-day use and high profile national competitions, which are both positively impacting local businesses.

Environmental Value
  • Activating the area and providing rubbish bins has resulted in a decrease in the reported litter and graffiti in the area.
  • Shaded areas and water fountains are being provided to ensure that participants are still able to enjoy the area throughout a range of weather conditions.

Social Value
  • Through securing a well-respected contractor in the skate community, Youth Services has been able to connect and link with a cohort of young people that aren’t often easily engaged. The activities delivered have been successful in creating a positive culture of use with a high level of sustainability and self-policing between users.
  • The implementation of the ‘Noble Park Skate Park Committee’ has also assisted in this area with participants having a high sense of pride and ownership of the park, being active in reporting and reducing antisocial behaviour and substance use in the space.

Use Value
  • People of all ages and abilities can use the space either to participate in activities or spectate.
  • The park has the capacity to hold a range of programs, workshops, activities and competitions and has hosted local, national and international events to date.

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