Why I think that every park in the colder regions should have heated concrete

1) The Situation

As the sun gets lower and lower in the sky, it hits less and less of the skatepark during the day. The net result, is that by December and January, most of the skatepark never dries out, and is rendered unusable and unsafe to anyone daring to use it.

This photo shows how much sun the skatepark in Milton, Washington gets in December. Or rather, how much sun it doesn't get. The concrete stays cold in the shade, and the moist air condensates onto the concrete when it's temperature is below the dew point.

The net result is ice or very slippery conditions, under which no skateboarding can occur.

The idea of heating concrete to just above the dew point isn't new, and it isn't difficult. It's a practice used in almost every ski area, and heated driveways are seen at any resort town. Making for much safer conditions, which also increase the use of the park.



Because of the dangerous situation that exists with skating in such slippery conditions, kids resort to other activities to try and entertain themselves. Few hang at the skatepark shooting their boards through the ice. But, no skateboarding can occur.