Wesseling, Skatepark

As part of a complete remodel of the facility ‘Am Entenfang’ in the town of Wesseling, LNDSKT in cooperation with the local user group created a comprehensive design. The main goal: Rebuild the existing site into a modern-day skatepark that is supplemented by an integrated concept for use by parkour/calisthenics athletes.

Geared around the demands of end users, the area of 550 square meters is being converted into a thriving meeting place and sports facility for informal movement practices (including skateboarding, BMX, inline skating, wheelchair skating, stunt scooter and parkour). Pivotal aspects of the site consist of a high quality of dwell time as well as an excellent level of functional and creative design of the entire facility.

On the comparatively small skate area of 450 square meters, the plan includes a balanced mix of street and flow skatepark built in the on-site concrete method. In a balanced manner, the design draws on elements that simulate street furniture found in urban spaces (e.g. benches, rails, etc.) as well as organically shaped elements marked by a characteristically high degree of flow for riding. The placement of elements is specifically geared around providing the highest possible number of possible pathways (lines) in a so-called multi-line skatepark concept. Overall, this approach should result in a long-term creative use pattern for the skatepark.

The design of the park not only caters to the demands of advanced users, but also supports younger, novice riders getting into the sport. For this reason, the maximum overall height of all park obstacles is kept relatively low at around 1 meter. At the same time, a number of taller elements are strategically spread around the park to provide extra challenges for advanced users, for instance wall rides as well as extensions on banks quarter pipes. Wheelchair skating (WCMX) is also fundamentally integrated into the concept. The plan includes two WCMX-ready entry ramps that empower riders to reach a high starting position independently.

Keeping in mind the limited space of the facility, the design of the parkour facility required special attention. The fundamental concept of the park included a parkour area accessible to a highest-possible number of users on various levels of proficiency. For this reason, the concept includes a novel, direct integration of parkour elements into the far end of the skate area. It’s worth pointing out that this seamless integration between skate and parkour features is unprecedented in Germany. As a result, the design creates synergy effects that allow for effective use of an area comprising 100 square meters for parkours purposes. Arranged according to various levels of proficiency, the parkour area starts with a low-threshold beginner’s section, leading into a ‘sticks & strides’ area, a ‘high bar’ and ‘rail flow’ segment marked by diverse combinations of cross bars at different heights. The site also includes a ‘vault park’ combining urban-inspired elements at medium average height to be traversed via different pathways. At the same time, the middle section with its bar section (including ladders and crossbars) is also suited for outdoor fitness enthusiasts (calisthenics) to practice their sport.

Aside from arranging obstacles across the various areas of the facility, the visual design of the individual segments and their integration into the surrounding landscape played a central role in the design process of the facility ‘Am Entenfang’. For this reason, the two functionally connected sports areas are placed at an even level alongside the Northern entrance pathway and the newly created access pathway at the long side of the space. This creates an open atmosphere and free field of vision that enhances the quality of dwell time. At the same time, this ‘open view’ concept creates a safe environment especially for younger users and makes the facility more gender inclusive. Additionally, park benches along the pathway end of the park and a designated rest area for users with integrated broom compartment encourage lingering and watching the action.

In terms of the color palette, the two spaces revolve around an urban aesthetic that implements design aspects from street traffic into the visual concept. The design of the functional spaces also supplements the facility’s urban aesthetic. For instance, the skatepark area features green and red pigmentation in the concrete floor as well as a mix of materials reminiscent of public basketball courts in New York City. The Streetball Court and Outdoor Gym also echo this particular street-style aesthetic.