Beyond Concrete, Part One: Introduction to Great Parks
Beyond Concrete Part 1: Introduction to great parks
Beyond Concrete Part 2: Specific ideas for a great Dallas skatepark at Bachman Lake
Beyond Concrete Part 3: Skatepark examples from DFW and North America
Beyond Concrete: Explore Great Park Design
Where do you take out of town visitors when they visit to Dallas? Klyde Warren Park, Fair Park and the Dallas Arboretum are probably high on the list. They are outside, have a great views and photo opportunities, and there is something for all ages to enjoy.
Klyde Warren Park Christmas Celebration draws big crowds
Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum celebrates spring with Tulips
Dallas Arboretum celebrates Autumn with its annual themed pumpkin patch
Fair Park in Dallas, TX is an Art Deco masterpiece
We all love capturing a unique picture for our Facebook or Instagram to memorialize a trip, and Dallas has some amazing “hidden gem” photo opportunities featuring sculpture, including Traveling Man, the Lakeside Park Teddy Bears, Skatebird, the Longhorns at Pioneer Plaza.
For photo tour tips, the Dallas Observer and D Magazine have great round ups
Your friends and family may want to engage in Dallas’ own Olympic sport - eating & shopping; in which case I’m sure you stop by some of the great historic neighborhoods including Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, and Greenville Ave. Don't forget to tour the murals!
Even ‘the mall’, our own North Park, is a global icon having been featured in Vogue Magazine, with not only stores, but also amazing art, and a park at its center.
These destinations have helped write the story of Dallas itself, and they work for people of all ages and interests. Great public spaces are great because they are magnets for people and activity. A beautifully designed space that is devoid of life may look great on a postcard, but isn’t the kind of place you hang out in. Dallas hasn’t been immune to this mistake either. Our absolutely gorgeous Arts District features award winning architecture and some of the best museums and performance spaces in the world, but it can feel physically oversized for the amount of human activity going on. To further make the point, the Arts District becomes truly great during the biennial Dallas Aurora Festival. which draws more than 50,000 people to see an art festival, music festival, light shows and performances from artists all around the world. The greatness of the Arts District during the Aurora Festival serves to confirm the importance of people regularly inhabiting the space.
What do neighborhoods, sculpture, art, instagram and festivals have to do with a skateboard park?
Because we can learn from what makes any space great
Because we can learn from already works and what hasn’t worked.
Because 15 public, high quality concrete skate parks have been built near Dallas in 2005 (LINK)
Because we have the opportunity to observe best methods and techniques and make Dallas’ first concrete park a true asset for all 1.3 Million citizens and our 24.9 Million annual visitors.
Check out 'Beyond Concrete: Part 2' to learn about the dimensions that make a great skatepark