The Government of Yukon wanted to give Whitehorse’s only skate park a major makeover to be a safer, more inclusive place for people of all ages and abilities to ride, roll, and connect. They engaged us to design a skate park that would bring their vision to life.
For this project, our team supported community workshops, developed the preliminary design, and carried out the project through detailed design and construction—from the site survey to tender support, construction cost estimating, and administration services. We also integrated on-site stormwater management into the design using non-conventional elements and surface drainage patterns that contributed to unique skate park features. Even the way rainwater moves through the site became part of the design, with creative drainage features helping shape some of the park’s distinctive riding elements.
The skate park’s design celebrates Whitehorse’s history and character. We designed a signature bowl known as the “gold pan” that pays tribute to the region’s gold rush roots while artwork and other design elements reflect the local community. We worked closely with the Government of Yukon, the City of Whitehorse, local riders, and wheelchair MX athlete Darryl Tait, to create a skate park that reflects the community’s vision and feels uniquely Whitehorse.
Substantially completed in one season and completed in the next summer with landscaping and equipment installed, the skate park opened to major accolades. It’s fully accessible and designed for skateboarders, BMX riders, scooter users, and wheelchair MX athletes. The West Coast Traveler named the Whitehorse skate park one of the top five skate parks to “try before you die.” We also won the 2022 Yukon Engineering Excellence award.
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