The Problem with Skateparks

In the past 5-10 years skateparks have been popping up everywhere all due to the overwhelming growth of skaters out there. Some parks are opened thru the hardwork of dedicated local skaters while others are more of an answer to the problem cities have with skaters overruning different public spots and streets. In my case it was Gilford, NH where I put in a significant amount of time working to get a park in the town people could go to, but never in my mind (and probably others who put forth similar efforts) would this all lead to an 'answer to the problem' for skaters, more like another option that was safe from being kicked out of. It seems like wherever I go and street skate the answer I get now is "dont you know there is a park near here?"

Well yeah i know about the parks- if im skating somewhere for any extended time no doubt i did my homework and checked into all the options, but that isnt an answer. Skateparks should be considered by towns as options for skaters, not answers, because if skateboarding were not to exist in the streets i proally wouldnt still be skating out of a lack of creative options. It's all about taking whats already there and being creative on how to approach it with style, thats what these people fail to understand.

New York has taken a modern approach to this compared to other towns and cities, and with the exception of downtown private buildings with security I rarely get kicked out of anywhere. Even street skating is considered a method of getting around, and dodging taxi's is (alto more dangerous) a lot more fun than dodgin bikers and rollerbladers at any park.

These pics are from Owl's Head Park in Bay Ridge-Brooklyn, New York. I felt inspired to vent on this since I would rather have a fun sesh with friends on some random things then try and go as huge as possible anymore- especially on a skateboard....