Design

Requirements for the design, manufacture and installation of embellishments

Warranty and asset life

Product/embellishment	Warranty (minimum)	Asset life (typical useful life)
Concrete	10 years	40 years ²
Sealant (concrete)	N/A	Not available
Accessories (aluminium)	10 years	40 years ²
Stainless steel	10 years	25 years ²

^{Source 2: Sunshine Coast Council Asset Management Plan 2017/18-2022/23 – Parks and Gardens (figure based on current data, subject to change).}

Once the location of the skate park area has been decided, based on the Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS) and Recreation Parks Plan (RPP) guidance, consider the appropriate embellishment level to suit the selected site.

Size considerations:

The RPP provides guidance as to which level of park is suitable for skateparks and minimum size as follows:

Council wide park (including Major): 1,000-5,000 m²
District level park (including Local): 500-1,000 m²

The Sunshine Coast Skate and BMX Plan includes four levels of skatepark – Council Wide, Major, District and Local.

Overarching design considerations:

All open spaces should include universal access (e.g. provide safe clearances, movement around skate elements and access to elements).
Elements including footing design for skate parks to be designed by a suitably qualified engineer.
Building approval is required.
Drainage must be designed to prevent water pooling on facilities.
Select designs which allow maintenance access to remove any rubbish which may collect.
The design is required to accommodate different skill and ability levels and should provide for skate boards, BMX bikes, scooters, wheelchair users and other suitable roller sports equipment. Each facility should provide multiple skate skills options (where possible), to attract the widest possible usage. Ensure the expected numbers of people who will participate in the activities can be accommodated.

Skate park design

Skate parks are to be designed and constructed to comply with AS EN 14974:2021 Skateparks - Safety requirements and test methods.

The standards provide skate park guidance on:

materials
fastenings
safety requirements
testing/test report
marking.

Skate elements

Skate elements must be designed and constructed with sufficient stability, be firmly fixed to the ground, or be secured against displacement or toppling over.
It must not be possible to dismantle skate elements without tools.
No pointed or sharp parts are to protrude from the externally accessible parts of the skate elements.
The ends of all tabular parts, including coping, are to be capped.
Construction should preferably be formed smooth surface concrete or modular concrete pieces.
Skate park materials are to be selected and protected so that the structural integrity of the equipment does not deteriorate before the next relevant maintenance inspection.

Ancillary embellishments

Utilise the ELS and RPP guidance, to determine what ancillary facilities should be provided with a skate park.

Seats

Provide shaded seating areas for respite.
Seats must have anti-skate design features.

See LIM Seats for further guidance.

Drinking fountain

A drinking fountain is preferred near skate parks.

See LIM Drinking fountains for further guidance.

Bins

Wheelie bins must be installed with a wheelie bin enclosure at skate parks, as bins can be removed and used to gain access to high areas.

See LIM Bins for further guidance.

Shade (natural/artificial)

General

Shade is the best way to provide maximum protection against UV radiation.

Provision should be made in each skate park for areas of sun protection and shade, both for the users of the skate park as well as for any caregivers present.
Natural shade is preferred, however shade sails shelters may be considered.
Provide site specific shade modelling (shade diagram). Refer LIM Shade Sails for shade requirements.

Shade sails

This category should be read in conjunction with LIM Shade sails for further guidance for specifications and clearance heights.

Shelters

This section should be read in conjunction with LIM Shelters for further guidance.

Landscape Planting

Shade trees

As a general rule, trees with a canopy that is dense and closer to the ground provide the best protection from direct UV radiation.

Ensure that mature trees do not screen off the facility and create an unsafe environment.
Plant shade trees at the time of skate park installation, particularly in local parks.
Install shade trees to the north and west to protect equipment at the hottest part of the day.
Use existing trees for shade where the design can be sensitive to tree root requirements, under guidance of a qualified arborist. It is preferable to plant trees at the time of play space installation.
Ensure tree roots do not compromise the surfacing or create trip hazards. For guidance on tree roots and specific treatments contact qualified arborist.

See the following for further guidance

Preliminaries - LIM Tree sensitive design (existing and new trees).
LIM Planting (landscape).

Planting

Choose low plants (maximum 500 mm) that will provide clear sight-lines for parent and carer supervision (CPTED guidelines), as well as clear sightlines from the road to the site for surveillance.
As per AS EN 14974, plants within the ‘safety zone’ are permitted if they are arranged in a way that does not pose a risk to users.
Avoid planting plants and trees which cause hazards on hard surfaces For example, dropped berries or flowers which may become slippery when wet.
Avoid plants with leaves with cutting edges, sharp thorns, spikes, poisonous parts, fragile tree limbs or prone to limb drop.
Avoid fruit bearing plants that may attract significant levels of birds and bats as this becomes a maintenance issue.

See LIM Planting (landscape) for further guidance.

Site drainage

Skate parks must have adequate sub-surface and surface drainage to avoid nuisance water pooling.

Sub-surface drainage plans must be provided.
Surface runoff must be directed away from equipment and pathways.
Drainage grates are to comply with AS 1428.1 Design for Access and Mobility set. Sub-surface drainage is to be installed and connected as per Council plumbing advice.

See LIM Landscape drainage for further guidance.

Pathways

Pathways must provide a continuous accessible path of travel (CAPT) to a skate park, as defined in AS1428 Design for Access and Mobility. This enables equal access for all users.

Consider that a 1.8 m wide pathway is required for two wheelchairs to pass each other.

See LIM Paths, trails and tracks for further guidance.

Internal paths

Provide internal path connections to other sporting facilities.

Connection paths

Provide a connection path from the car park to the exercise equipment.
Consider connecting park pathways to existing pedestrian and cycle networks.
Consider connecting park pathways to shopping and public transport hubs.

Fencing (including pedestrian and vehicle gates)

Provide maintenance and emergency vehicle access to skate park:
- minimum 3.6 m open gate width
- ensure clear path of travel i.e. no obstacles.
As per AS EN 14974:2021, where a skate park is built in combination with other facilities such as playgrounds, sports grounds, and similar establishments, they must be physically separated by an appropriate distance using structural or spatial measures. Separation measures minimise the risk for users of the other facilities.
Fencing is not required, unless there are site specific requirements, such as separation of facilities or public safety.
Where fencing is required, it is to be commercial quality, heavy duty and vandal resistant.

See the LIM Fences and gates for further guidance.

Lighting

Consider providing night lighting to extend hours of use and to increase security where the skate park is not located in residential areas.

See the LIM Electrical for further guidance.

Signage

This section should be read in conjunction with LIM Signage suite for a complete suite of suitable signage, from the carpark to activity area.

Activity entry sign - Park

A park activity entry sign must be installed for compliance at the skate park, in a visible location. Ensure the sign posts do not create collision points. The sign may require building certification (consider mounting heights).
AS EN 14974:2021 outlines the minimum information that shall be provided on the sign, at skate park facilities.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.

All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.

This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.

Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.

Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.

This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.

Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.

Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.

Skate parks