Draft Frankston Skate and BMX Strategy 2024–2034

Frankston Skate and BMX Strategy 2024–2034

Acknowledgement to country Frankston City Council acknowledges the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters in and around Frankston City, and value and recognise local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, heritage and connection to land as a proud part of a shared identity for Frankston City.

Council pays respect to Elders past and present and recognises their importance in maintaining knowledge, traditions and culture in our community.

Council also respectfully acknowledges the Bunurong Land Council as the Registered Aboriginal Party responsible for managing the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the land and waters where Frankston City Council is situated.

Contents Acknowledgement to country................................................................................ 02 Introduction........................................................................................................ 04 Objectives.......................................................................................................................... 04 About skate and BMX............................................................................................ 05 Our vision........................................................................................................................... 05 Focus areas........................................................................................................................ 05 Key directions..................................................................................................................... 05 Strategic context................................................................................................................ 06 Planning framework.............................................................................................. 07 Council role........................................................................................................................ 07 Not for profit partners........................................................................................................ 07 Sport associations.............................................................................................................. 08 Private enterprise............................................................................................................... 08 Community......................................................................................................................... 08 Methodology........................................................................................................ 09 Existing conditions for skate and BMX......................................................................10 Opportunities and trends....................................................................................... 12 Future direction....................................................................................................14 Focus areas........................................................................................................... 15 Well distributed facilities..................................................................................................... 15 Integrated youth spaces...................................................................................................... 18 Gender equality and inclusivity........................................................................................... 20 Fit for purpose facilities....................................................................................................... 21 Implementation plan............................................................................................ 23 Appendix A — Facilities’ assessment...................................................................... 25 Appendix B — Sport inclusions...............................................................................32 Appendix C — Riding styles....................................................................................33 Appendix D — Facility trends................................................................................ 34

Introduction The purpose of the Frankston Skate and BMX Strategy 2024– 2034 is to articulate a vision for the future of skate, BMX and active youth spaces in Frankston City and determine what is required to achieve that vision and meet the needs of the community over the next 10 years.

The rise of lifestyle sports such as skate boarding and BMX riding has been identified as one of six sport megatrends by the Australian Sports Commission. Once seen as extreme, these sports are now recognised as mainstream activities and require facilities that are fit for purpose, with consideration for gender equity and opportunities for people of all ages and all skill levels to participate.

With Australia’s recent success in skate boarding and BMX on the world stage, including at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the popularity of these sports continues to rise and our facilities need to become more agile and responsive to meet the needs and expectations of new generations of participants.

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In Frankston, demand for these facilities is being fiurther driven by a number of factors; the relatively high proportion of young people who reside in the municipality, a growing population and the trend that more of us are seeking ways to participate in unstructured, affordable and accessible active leisure opportunities. There is no doubt that COVID-19 played a pivotal role in making these sports more visible in our community as we all found new ways to stay physically active, connect with others and to embrace the outdoors. At times informal jumps and ramps have been installed by the community in places that negatively impact the natural environment and create safety hazards.

Council is keen to direct this enthusiasm into purpose built facilities that give consideration to the environment and ongoing maintenance and safety precautions.

Objectives The key objectives of the Frankston Skate and BMX Strategy are to: + Guide future use and development of skate and BMX facilities across the municipality + Guide decision making and planned expenditure on skate and BMX facilities in line with the Long Term Infrastructure Plan (LTIP) and facility assessments + Foster inclusive facilities and programming that drives participation and supports our youth community across all ages and abilities.

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

A HIGHER S A H Y IT C N O FRANKST OF CHILDREN N IO T R O P O R P GE OF 18 THAN UNDER THE A BOURNE. IT IS GREATER MEL AT 21 PER CENT ESTIMATED THN’S CHILDREN OF FRANKSTORE ACTIVELY AND YOUTH ASK ATEBOARDING. INVOLVED IN

About skate and BMX It is important to understand the growth and popularity of both skate and BMX on a global scale.

The recent increase of youth in more unstructured sporting activities has meant a large increase in the participation levels of both skating and BMX worldwide.

In Australia, the Australian Sports Commission reported that 167,000 people participated nationally in skate while 21,424 participated nationally in BMX annually in the 2021-22 financial year. When reviewing participation trends in Australia, the Australian Sports Commission states that “participation in non-sport physical activities have increased significantly (by more than 20 percentage points from 2001–2022)”. Skate and BMX are becoming a more popular choice of physical activity for many as they provide freedom of expression through an easily accessible and affordable outlet.

The term ‘skate’ has evolved to take on many shapes and forms since its beginning, including skateboarding, scootering, freestyle BMX, rollerblading and rollerskating.

Similarly, BMX has developed into a broader spectrum of recreational activities, with the original sport of BMX racing branching into dirt jumps, pump tracks and trail riding. These activities all have a different meaning depending on who you ask; they are considered to be forms of recreation, transportation, sport, career paths, art forms, channels for self expression and, for many, a way of life. Further information on the activities and types of facilities can be found in Appendix C and Appendix D. Skateboarding and BMX have been influenced and shaped by many individuals, organisations and movements over the years with surges in popularity, which to this day, are still on the rise.

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

Our vision To maximise opportunities for active participation in informal sports such as skate and BMX while ensuring our facilities are fit for purpose, accessible and welcoming to all in our community.

Focus areas This strategy outlines the path to achieving this vision with four focus areas: Well distributed facilities Facilities are well distributed throughout the municipality to meet the needs of our community and where they live.

Integrated youth spaces Integrated and diverse youth spaces are created.

The design of facilities accommodates a range of youth related activities as well as refuge and viewing spaces that appeal to a wider selection of our community.

Gender equality and inclusivity The programming and design of our facilities considers gender equality and inclusivity.

Fit for purpose facilities Facilities are constructed, maintained and well managed to ensure they are fit for purpose and their life span maximised.

Key directions The key directions stemming from these four priority areas include: + Adopt a facility hierarchy/classification ensuring that we have a good spread of suitable facilities across the municipality including the addition of district level facilities

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+ Support the Frankston Play Strategy to create integrated youth spaces + Activate our facilities to encourage greater participation by our community + Support a shared approach to more inclusive programming and equipment provision across our facilities to promote gender equality and inclusivity + Plan for and support facility renewal and upgrades and decommissioning existing facilities as required ensuring provision of opportunities for all skills and disciplines and the inclusion of ancillary infrastructure such as shade, seating, toilets, drinking fountains, etc + Implement a proactive maintenance schedule for all facilities.

Strategic context The 2024–2034 Skate and BMX Strategy considers the research and findings of key Council plans and strategies including the 2021–2025 Council Plan, Community Vision 2040, Active Leisure Strategy 2021–2029, Health & Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025, Play Strategy 2021, Open Space Strategy 2016–2036 and the Draft Frankston City Industrial Strategy 2023. In addition, this strategy considers the Overport Park Master Plan 2021, the Monterey Reserve Master Plan and the Baxter Park Master Plan. The strategy updates the 2003 Skate and BMX Strategy which saw the delivery of a skate regional facility, Frankston Skate Park.

Our skate and BMX facilities are a component of Council’s open space and play space infrastructure.

Council Plan

Community Vision 2040

Community Health

Sport Development Plan

Leisure Strategy

Municipal Strategic Statement

Long Term Infrastructure Plan

Asset Management Strategy

Health & Wellbeing Plan

Skate and BMX Strategy

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FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Planning framework Council role

Not for profit partners

Local government has a vital role to play in physical activity service provision and infrastructure, notably our open space and all ages playspace facilities.

The term playspace refers to the broader landscape environment in which sits play equipment such as skate and BMX facilities, paths and undersurfacing, shade, park furniture, planting and sometimes art elements and fencing. Council is committed to promoting and fostering our community’s health for people of all ages through the provision of accessible and affordable opportunities to participate in physical activity. Of particular relevance to this strategy is our focus on developing our youth, who make up a large proportion of our skate and BMX participation figures, by providing diversity of play experiences, opportunities for social inclusion, skill development and leadership.

Sport Australia created the National Skate Park Activation Project which offered grant funding to organisations and enterprises to create scalable social enterprises at skate parks across Australia. Sport Australia notes that these enterprises function in a similar way to sports clubs, by activating skate parks and providing communities with training and employment opportunities.

Council has a licence agreement in place for a not for profit organisation to supervise and manage Frankston Skate Park, including the provision of site supervision, youth services support, tuition and skate events.

Clubs such as the Frankston Sharks BMX Club also play an important role in supporting participation and activating facilities such as the Frankston BMX Track through regular programs, activities and events.

With Frankston home to five skate park facilities and three BMX facilities, Council is committed to updating and improving these facilities while continuing to support and encourage inclusive and equitable participation in physical activity across all life stages.

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

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Sporting associations

Private enterprise

Skate Australia is the recognised governing body for skate sports and skateboarding in Australia while AusCycling is the governing body for BMX sports in Australia. Both work in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission (Sport Australia) and the state sporting associations.

Private enterprise is now playing a key role in the delivery of skate participation in particular, with a rise in the provision of indoor skate facilities in Australia.

The majority of these facilities are owned and operated by private enterprises based on a user pays model.

Australian Sports Commission

National governing bodies

Community As trends evolve in the way we play, choose to access active leisure opportunities and adapt to new offerings in sports such as skate and BMX, Council acknowledges the vital role our community and facility users play in creating inclusive and functional facilities. With this in mind, Council is committed to consulting with the community on the designs for our upgraded and future skate and BMX facilities to ensure we achieve optimal outcomes for the majority of our park users.

State sporting associations

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FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Methodology This strategy draws on the following key inputs: Community engagement + Community surveys + Pop up consultations at skate/BMX facilties + Meetings with facility operators

Background research and data + Demographics + Local and national participation data + Strategic context + Trends + Benchmarking exercise

Condition and fit for purpose assessment + Facility assessment (condition and function) + Distribution and capacity of facilities

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

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Existing conditions for skate and BMX Since their development into mainstream sports skateboarding and bike riding have had various surges in popularity and are currently still on the rise.

We know from the recent worldwide events that many more people value their open spaces, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. This has sparked another surge in the popularity of skate and BMX within youth communities.

While reliable participation data is difficult to ascertain because of the informal nature of these sports, the 2021–22 AusPlay report released by the Australian Sports Commission recorded 19.5K children aged 0–14 participated in skate annually while 36.7K participated in BMX. Girls made up only 35 per cent of the skate participation and 37 per cent of the BMX participation figures.

SK ATE

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Locally, Frankston Skate Park and Frankston Sharks BMX Club provide the most consistent participation data. Frankston Skate Park, experienced a significant decline during Covid-19, however this then rose by approximately 10% in the following year. Women and girls made up only 6 per cent of this participation despite efforts to promote female participation through inclusive programming. This is 29 per cent lower than the national participation levels and reflects a significant gender imbalance for this sport. Similarly, Frankston BMX Club reported that women and girls make up 22 per cent of their total participation numbers, 15 per cent lower than the national participation levels.

In general, the 2016 distribution of youth within the municipality was well spread throughout the 11 suburbs that make up the City of Frankston. Langwarrin had the highest population of youth residents, with 6,060 (18.6 per cent) youth.

BMX

City of Frankston 1 skate park per 2,259 youth

City of Frankston 1 BMX facility per 5,647 youth

City of Kingston 1 skate park per 3,012 youth

City of Kingston 0 BMX facilities

City of Greater Dandenong 1 skate park per 4,658 youth

City of Greater Dandenong 1 BMX facility per 13,976 youth

City of Casey 1 skate park per 2,640 youth

City of Casey 1 BMX facility per 14,520 youth

Mornington Peninsula Shire 1 skate park per 1,247 youth

Mornington Peninsula Shire 1 BMX facility per 5,613 youth

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

POPULATION, Y H T U O Y R U O IT BASED ON 1 SK ATE FACIL X S R E F F O N O T M FRANKS EOPLE AND 1 BLE. P G N U O Y 9 5 P PER 2,2 7 YOUNG PEO 4 ,6 5 R E P Y IT FACIL

Carrum Downs also had a higher population with regards to the City’s overall youth, with 5,233 (16 per cent) youth.

Currently there are five (5) skate park facilities and three (3) formalized BMX facilities within the City of Frankston.

In addition our play spaces can also integrate informal skate and BMX opportunities for younger children to learn and participate. Ballam Park Reserve is a good example of this style of offering. Together these facilities

1

Frankston Skate Park

2

Frankston BMX Track

3

Langwarrin Skate Park, BMX Trail & Pump Track

4

Seaford Skate Park

Seaford

5

Monterey Reserve Skate Park

4

6

Sandfield Reserve Skate Park

7

Overport Park BMX and Pump Track

cater for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders.

Based on our youth population Frankston offers one (1) skate facility per 2,259 young people and one (1) BMX facility per 5,647 young people.

In comparison to surrounding local government areas Frankston currently offers one of the highest facility to population ratio for both skate and BMX.

Sandhurst

2 Skye

Carrum Downs

5

6

Frankston North

Langwarrin

1

Karingal

3

Frankston South

Frankston Central

7 Langwarrin South

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

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Opportunities and trends While there are a number of current trends in the provision of skate park and BMX facilities around the world (refer Appendix D) this strategy highlights some key opportunities available to elevate skate and BMX facilities and the sports’ participation within Frankston.

Population growth and the distribution of facilities

Accessible, affordable participation

Updating existing facilities

Through public consultation on our Active Leisure Strategy 2021–2029 as well as the Youth Action Plan 2022–2026 our community asked for more focus to be placed on increasing participation in non-club based or non-organised sport with an indication that many in our community are choosing to stay active in casual, flexible and independent ways. Young people raised the importance of providing opportunities to stay connected and consistently expressed their desire to participate in more activities that are free and/or affordable.

Facilities will need to consider accessibility through design and programming including fostering adaptive versions of the sports.

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Our current facilities are spread throughout the municipality to match where the majority of the youth population is situated in key suburbs, with the exception of Frankston Skate Park and Frankston BMX Track, which are considered local level facilities as they cater to their immediate surroundings. With this in mind, we now have an opportunity now to consider how the projected population growth and the distribution of our youth will impact the capacity, capability and spread of our facilities.

Repair and refurbishment of some of our existing aging facilities will allow us to extend the lifespan of each facility while ensuring we can continue to service the needs of our youth. An integrated landscape approach should be taken to ensure facility design incorporates the site’s topography and offers ancillary infrastructure to ensure a quality community asset that services both the active end user while also supporting the interests of passive users and our community.

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

New construction methods and product offerings should be integrated into facility upgrades where possible to ensure an extended life span, lower maintenance costs and improved offering to park users. An example of a recent product offering that is enabling more play spaces to diversify in a timely and cost effective manner is a modular pump track system which is made up of either precast concrete, fibreglass or a combination.

Weather protection and extending the useable hours of our facility Through community consultation including surveys and pop up sessions, we heard from our community that they wish to see improvements made to our skate and BMX facilities to extend the useable hours available, including better shade and all weather protection, lighting and the provision of amenities. Our regional facility, Frankston Skate Park, is one of the largest facilities in Australia attracting some 50,000 visitors a year and as a result the demand for a form of all-weather protection, spectator shade and lighting to extend the participation hours of this facility has been strong.

Privately run facilities (user pays experience) Privately run indoor facilities are becoming more common and often provide opportunities for local councils to support commercial enterprises to provide more participation opportunities to our community while also driving visitation to industrial style precincts in a new and unique way. Good examples of this practice in action include Sk8tehouse in Carrum Downs, Rampit in Bayswater, RampFest in Braybrook and Volo Park Skate Park in Campbellfield. Although not privately run, The Shed Skatepark is another good example of an indoor skate facility operating in Cranbourne East.

All of these facilities are based on a user pays model and offer private and group lessons, school holiday programs, parties, events and competitions. The opportunity exists in Frankston to explore the potential for this style of skate centre, particularly through the Draft Frankston City Industrial Strategy 2023 and the renewal of the Kananook industrial sub-precinct as a major sports, leisure and hospitality destination.

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

Creating integrated youth spaces Integrated youth spaces cater to a broader range of young people by offering complimentary activities to skate and BMX such as pump tracks, half-court basketball, parkour, bouldering as well as social and refuge spaces. The design of these integrated youth spaces allows for a separation of different skill levels within the same facility to enhance the user experience and their safety.

Facility activation Adding new elements to an existing facility can broaden its appeal while encouraging more activation of spaces.

New programs such as through learn to skate or come and try BMX days, offers new participants an opportunity to engage with the activity in a safe, fun and inclusive way. Pop up features and activations such as pop-up skate pieces or skateable sculpture/ furniture have a way of reinserting skate function into the existing urban realm or public space.

Gender equality and inclusivity Although women and girls participation in skate and BMX is on the rise, it is still relatively low in comparison to other sports and activities.

The design of our facilities should provide for a welcoming environment for all cohorts and consider how a space can offer opportunities for participation, socialising and refuge. Programs such as girls only skate sessions, as well as more female role models, are just some of the tools to drive further participation and engagement.

A positive example of how programming can impact participation was evident at the recent BMX Freestyle National Championships on the Gold Coast. AusCycling reported that the number of girls competing in the sport had tripled thanks to a talent identification program called ‘You for 32’ and a collaboration between AusCycling and the Queensland Academy of Sports.

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Future direction The following diagram outlines the vision and priority areas for the provision of skate and BMX facilities and development initiatives in Frankston City.

Strategic vision To maximise opportunities for active participation in informal sports such as skate and BMX, while ensuring our facilities are fit for purpose, accessible and welcoming to all in our community.

Well distributed facilities Facilities are well distributed throughout the municipality to meet the needs of participants, our community and where they live.

Integrated youth spaces Integrated youth spaces are created.

The design of facilities accommodates a range of youth related activities to complement the skate and BMX offering.

Adopt a classification system (including regional, district and local facilities).

Support the Frankston Play Strategy to create integrated youth spaces.

Distribute facilities to meet changing population and demographics.

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Develop facility activation and management plans for relevant facilities to ensure the community is engaged with, and takes ownership of the facility.

Gender equality and inclusivity The programming and design of our facilities considers gender equality and inclusivity.

Fit for purpose facilities Facilities are well constructed and maintained to ensure they are fit for purpose and provide an enjoyable experience for both spectators and bystanders.

Support a shared approach to more inclusive programming and equipment provision across our facilities to promote gender equity and inclusivity.

Plan for and support facility renewal and upgrades including refuge and viewing spaces that appeal to a wider selection of our community.

Implement a proactive and specialist schedule of maintenance for all facilities.

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Focus areas Well distributed facilities Facilities are well distributed throughout the municipality to meet the needs of our community and where they live.

Adopt a facility hierarchy/ classification system and distribute facilities to meet changing population and demographics A facility hierarchy/classification system is recommended for skate and BMX facilities within the City of Frankston.

This classification system creates a balanced mix of facilities across the municipality that supports participation, access to facilities and provides a variation of infrastructure in order to promote opportunities for skill advancement.

The largest and most comprehensive of the classification system is the regional facility. This type of facility will capture the entire municipality. The regional facility will be supported by a network of district and local facilities.

The map adjacent highlights Frankston facilities and their classification as regional, district or local.

The outcome of this approach is to define each site’s capacity to: + Create a centralised social hub for young people + Allow users of different ages to interact with each other + Allow users of different abilities to learn from each other + Create strong links with other existing community facilities and amenities.

Understanding that our facilities work together as a network of active recreation spaces ensures we plan appropriately for future upgrades and additional facilities that meet the needs of our growing population and changing demographics.

Distribution

Regional facility City wide catchment District facilities 5km radius catchment Local facilities 2km radius catchment

Sites are assessed relative to a range of criteria listed below in order to determine their ability to host a BMX, skate and/or outdoor youth recreation facility: + Site conditions and technical considerations + Access/transport + Natural surveillance, security and safety + Proximity to amenities + Impact on existing facilities, adjoining uses and users + Distance from housing and incompatible land use + Maintenance + Context and amenity.

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

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Types of facilities

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Regional 1,550–3,000m2

District 950–1,550m2

Local 300–950m2

Destination and purpose built facility.

Iconic nature in design and theming.

Basic design, simple detail.

Strategically located to service the whole municipality.

Strategically located to service a number of surrounding suburbs and compliments other facilities to increase the diversity of choice across the municipality.

Cater to a specific suburb and are generally co-located with other complementary forms of existing recreation which serve the local community such as sporting ovals, open space and playgrounds.

A family friendly facility that caters to and engages a wide range of community members.

Engages predominantly youth and families.

Focus on specific user groups.

Allows for night time usage.

May allow night time usage.

High end amenity, spectator and landscape.

Amenity, spectator and landscape provision.

Basic allowance for amenity and landscape provision.

Capable of holding large events, performances, competitions, workshops, etc.

Capable of holding select events, performances, competitions, workshops, etc.

Capable of holding small local level events, competitions and workshops.

Integration of a range of recreation, activity and passive use.

Integration of a select range of recreation, activity and passive use.

Skill development from beginner to advanced users.

Skill development from beginner to advanced users.

Allows for skill development for beginner and intermediate riders.

Minimal allowance for advanced riders.

Catering to all styles of riding.

Catering to select styles of riding e.g. street, transition, jumps, tracks, etc.

Catering to fundamental riding styles.

Complex, unique obstacles and larger advanced obstacles.

Complex and unique obstacles.

One or two unique obstacles.

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

1

Frankston Skate Park

2

Frankston BMX Track

3

Sandhurst

2

Langwarrin Skate Park, BMX Trail & Pump Track

4

Sandfield Reserve Skate Park

5

Seaford Skate Park

6

Monterey Reserve Skate Park

7

Overport Park BMX and Pump Track

8

Banyan Reserve Pump Track

9

Ballam Park Skate Facility

10

Baxter Park Pump Track

8

Seaford

5 Carrum Downs

6

Skye

4

Frankston North

Langwarrin Karingal

1

9

3

Frankston Central

Frankston South

7 Langwarrin South

10

Regional facility City wide catchment

District facilities 5km radius catchment

Well distributed facilities: actions + A classification system (including regional, district and local facilities) is adopted + Frankston’s facility distribution network is improved through the addition of new district and local level facilities + Work with the community to refine the Langwarrin Skate Park, BMX Trail and Pump Track development concept plan that will enable a broader district sized youth precinct to be added to Frankston’s network of facilities

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

Local facilities 2km radius catchment

Possible future facilities

+ Support the Play Strategy initiative to upgrade Sandfield Reserve so that it can be elevated to a district level facility + Construction of a new local level BMX/pump track facility at Banyan Reserve + Ballam Park and Baxter Park master planning processes used to determine feasibility of these sites to address the identified gap in provision of local level facilities in these areas based on the youth population.

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Integrated youth spaces Integrated youth spaces are created as well as activated to maximise engagement.

The design of facilities accommodates a range of youth related activities to complement the skate and BMX offering.

Support the Frankston Play Strategy to create integrated youth spaces Council is committed to finding new and innovative ways to ensure equitable participation in physical activity across all life stages. In particular we want to create spaces for our youth to meet, to socialise and to feel safe while participating in informal physical activities.

Around the world councils are seeing the importance of catering for a broader range of young people when providing public recreation spaces. This has led to the development of integrated ‘youth precincts or spaces’ in a number of municipalities throughout Australia.

Recent examples of this type of space include the new Albury Regional Skate Park (NSW) and the Bunbury Youth Precinct (WA). The Albury Regional Skate Park is a massive youth active hub featuring a 2000m2 skate park with a plaza area, asphalt pumps track, feature bowl and mini bowl, vert ramp as well as a parkour ‘ruins’ area, multipurpose court, bouldering wall and rebound wall. The Bunbury Youth Precinct includes the largest skate park and parkour Space in WA, a Youth Centre, interactive play space, social beach, mini golf area, multipurpose courts, climbing wall, social hub and events space.

As per these two examples, integrated or active youth spaces provide a range of activities as well as social, viewing and refuge spaces whilst integrating skate and BMX function into the design. These activities can be art and performance related or other unstructured active recreation programs including half-court basketball,

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multi-purpose sports courts, bouldering (climbing) walls, kick-about nets, parkour features, play features and hit up walls, etc. Incorporating a mix of recreation program and social spaces within these facilities encourages broader use by the wider community, including increased female participation and use by those who do not want to participate in traditional organised sports. The materials and details incorporated into multi-use spaces can relate to relevant existing and adjacent urban realm.

Similarly, there are opportunities to overlay youth related graphics or contextual theming, images and text on surfaces including steps and walls, to create a unique space that responds to its contextual setting.

Recently, particularly within an urban design and landscape architecture discourse, pop-up skate pieces or skateable sculpture have a way of reinserting skate function into the existing urban realm or public space.

Such feature elements have manifested in a number of ways. For example, steel elements along a pathway can be activated as play items, seating or skateable pieces. Another example is including robust seating or structures through appropriate urban environments, or complementary activities such as basketball courts.

Services and infrastructure for small and large events can also be designed into these integrated youth and multi-purpose spaces.

The Frankston Play Strategy notes the importance of providing more diverse play opportunities that provide better amenity for the whole community. One of the key actions included in this Strategy is to ‘Provide better integrated, inclusive and accessible playspaces. As Council renews, upgrades or builds new playspaces it will integrate play and environment better. Council will improve the accessible function of paths, furniture and play in all community, district and regional playspaces, and some local playspaces.’

The Frankston Skate and BMX Strategy supports this priority. Council officers take a united approach to planning that commits to working with our community to support the development of youth recreation and the master planning for key sites across the municipality.

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Develop facility activation and management plans Equally as important as the design and construction of facilities is their management and activation. Ongoing facility activation and management ensures the community is engaged with, and takes ownership of the facility.

Activated public spaces are successful public spaces.

The development of a skate park or BMX activation management plan provides strategic direction in managing and activating facilities, by providing time frames and guidelines for promoting and encouraging participation, running events and competitions and maximising the use of the space by the whole community.

Facility activation can be found in a variety of forms including private management, council supported, club based activation and pop-up style activation.

Often it is a combination of all of these forms that is employed across a municipality to drive participation and engagement in active leisure sports such as skate and BMX. The different models acknowledge that our community will often use these facilities for different reasons and engage with our facilities in different ways depending on their age, interests and skill level.

Council currently holds a licence agreement with Peninsula Leisure for the regular day to day operation and activation of Frankston Skate Park as well as pop up activation of our other skate facilities throughout the year. Activation can include learn to skate and skills clinics, events and programs. These have been found to have a positive impact on growing participation to a wider audience.

Whilst the Frankston BMX Track is publicly accessible, it is primarily used for racing by the Frankston BMX Club who provide a variety of riding opportunities for beginners through to experienced BMX riders, attracting moderate to high use, especially during weekends. While not a private management model, having a club operate from a facility is another way to promote community engagement and activation of a facility.

Another model of activation found in Frankston is pop-up activation. This is most evident with the work done by the Frankston Youth WHAT Bus, which visits various destinations including some of our more popular skate parks. The WHAT Bus is essentially a youth centre on wheels, providing youth outreach and support services to young people aged 12–24 years within the Frankston municipality. The bus is custom fitted with gaming facilities (Play Station 4, Nintendo Switch), laptop stations and giant games and the youth workers on board activate a space by offering prizes and giveaways, food, music and more.

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

Finally there is a private management model of activation which is most evident at indoor skate facilities with engagement taking the form of private a group lessons, school holiday activities, birthday parties as well as events and competitions.

Integrated youth spaces: actions Support the planning and delivery of Frankston Play Strategy initiatives to create integrated youth spaces.

This includes: + Demolition of existing outdated skate facility and creation of new integrated youth space including provision of local level skate facilities and ancillary infrastructure at Monterey Reserve + Creation of an enhanced and integrated youth space to improve local level skate facility provision and ancillary infrastructure at Sandfield Reserve Adopt, monitor and evaluate annually service level targets for the licence agreement holder at Frankston Skate Park to activate all our skate and BMX facilities to grow participation and create welcome spaces for all of our community. Licence agreement inclusions to be adopted and monitored include: + Regular informal engagement with facility users + Deliver a minimum of four (4) activity programs per year at each of Frankston’s skate and BMX facilities (1 of these must fall within a school holiday period) + Deliver a minimum of eight (8) clinics, sessions or organised activities per year at Frankston Skate Park, four (4) at district level facilities and two (2) at all local facilities. + Deliver two (2) clinics each term targeted at Frankston Municipality schools + All programs, clinics and workshops should promote social inclusion opportunities with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, CALD, ATSI, GLBTQ and female participation. They should also increase skill level, community engagement and/or exposure to role model behavior.

Expansion of Council led initiatives to activate our skate and BMX facilities to include: + Community involvement in future facility design, particularly for the creation of new local facilities. + Scheduled visitation to our facilities by the WHAT Bus, led by Youth Services + Integration of public art/street art murals into new and upgraded skate and BMX facilities + The inclusion of skate and BMX facilities as venues for FReeZA (Fresh Entertainment) to deliver complimentary music and entertainment events during the year.

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Gender equality and inclusivity The programming and design of our facilities considers gender equality and inclusivity.

Support a shared approach to more inclusive programming and equipment provision across our facilities to promote gender equality and inclusivity Skate and BMX parks provide a space for individuals of all ages and skill levels to engage in physical activity and connect with others who share a passion for skating or riding. However, it is important to acknowledge that these facilities have historically been male-dominated spaces and that steps must be taken to promote gender equity and inclusivity. A key challenge in future facility provision is to expand the variety and appeal of existing play spaces. This includes thinking about inclusive programming as well as the elements and environments that are appealing for cohorts who are seeking spaces to express creativity, to socialise and connect in a safe space and to participate in physical activity outside of the boundaries of organised and traditional sport.

In efforts to promote gender equity and inclusivity Councils and organisations around the globe have adopted equipment, programs and initiatives such as girls only skate clinics, come n’ try days, actively recruiting female role models for competitions and demonstrations, hosting targeted outreach and education opportunities while also looking at how ancillary facilities such as change rooms can be improved to provide a welcoming space to all.

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This work has been supported over recent years in the rising popularity of professional female skate and BMX competition. Female riders are breaking down gender stereotypes with women’s skate, freestyle BMX and dirt BMX now included at many professional level international competitions (including the Olympic Games) with numerous high level female athletes touring globally and being role models for the younger generation.

A shared approach to improving the inclusivity of our play spaces and facilities is likely to be more successful. Partnering and collaborating with organisations such as sporting associations, licenced operators and Girls Skate Australia can help to increase the visibility of female participants and provide opportunities for mentorship and development.

Gender equality and inclusivity: actions Support a shared approach to more inclusive programming and equipment provision across our facilities to promote gender equity and inclusivity.

Initiatives include: + Integrate gender equity priorities into future skate and BMX facility design through completion of a gender impact assessment + Provide gender equity education and mentoring support to clubs and providers + Promote existing women and girls programming opportunities at all of our facilities + Actively seek out new opportunities, including grant funding, to encourage and promote more women and girls activities at our skate and BMX facilities + Partner with individuals and organisations who can role model participation in these traditionally male dominated sports, eg. ambassadors, paid female coach opportunities.

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Fit for purpose facilities Facilities are constructed, maintained and well managed to ensure they are fit for purpose and their life span maximised.

Plan for and deliver facility renewal and upgrades As skate and BMXs’ popularity has evolved with changes in technology and interests, cities around the world have implemented recreational plans to create fit for purpose facilities that are more inclusive and cater for a larger variety of user types and wider demographic.

Recreation plans such as this should respond to the evolution of participation trends and the impact of this on facility design as well as how we can best renew ageing infrastructure including the use of high quality and specialist construction skills.

This plan supports facility renewal, upgrades and sites that are enhanced by landscaping and ancillary infrastructure including the provision of shade and wet weather protection. Investment in infrastructure such as shelter over existing skate components and sports lighting will allow our regional skate facility, Frankston Skate Park, to offer extended hours of participation during the year, including on wet weather days. This strategy also gives consideration to how Council can best encourage and support private operators with an interest in investing in future purpose built indoor facilities.

Participation trends include the rise in popularity of integrated youth spaces, indoor purpose built facilities as well as sport specific trends. For example while BMX racing continues to grow, many other forms of the sport have appeared including dirt jump tracks and pump tracks. Pump tracks allow an informal, unstructured riding style, where riders can literally ‘pump’ around a loop within DIY or public purpose built tracks. These facilities have become a popular and cost effective add-on to many public spaces in recent years and appeal to all levels and types of riders.

These tracks are often located in bush land or heavily vegetated areas causing potential harm to the natural environment including areas with endangered ecological communities, threatened species or Aboriginal heritage value. The dirt jumps are not built to specific safety standards and can therefore also pose a significant risk to community safety. With these reasons in mind, informal dirt bike jumps are removed by Council.

When assessing the suitability of dirt bike jumps in a

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

Council owned location the following considerations are investigated: + Community need for a bike facility in this location + Safety and liability + Construction and condition of the trail and jumps + Access to and around the site + Support facilities and amenities + Future maintenance of the infrastructure + Track and site erosion + Threatened species and other environmental considerations + Aboriginal heritage It is critical to recognise the importance of appropriate planning and design of facility provision to ensure they are fit for purpose with their projected life span maximised through a comprehensive maintenance plan. Any new facility development should refer to and embody CPTED principles to ensure user safety and reduce the opportunities for antisocial behaviour.

These principles have been developed to maximise visibility and foster positive interaction amongst legitimate users of public facilities. This includes maximising passive surveillance opportunities by maintaining sight lines across a facility, having vantage points or refuge spaces that allow for viewing across a facility, encouraging regular pedestrian traffic within and adjacent to facilities and designating specific entry points, or controlling access.

The provision of ancillary infrastructure should be considered as a core component of this facility design however will differ from facility to facility dependent on its classification, site parameters and existing neighbourhood infrastructure. Ancillary infrastructure can include, but is not limited to: + Drinking fountains + Shelter and shade structures + Seating + Changing places/public toilet facilities + Food and beverage + Landscaping + Lighting + Activation and event space + Bins Identification of facility renewal and upgrade components is established through facility assessment as well as community consultation to understand how a facility is being used.

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OF FACILITIES H N A P S E IF L E TH ISED THROUG IM X A M E B N A C A PROACTIVE ADOPTION OF E SCHEDULE. MAINTENANC

Implement a proactive and specialist schedule of maintenance for all facilities Once a youth recreation facility is in place, it is key to understand the ongoing upkeep required to maintain the facility to a safe and functional condition. It is estimated that youth recreation facilities designed and constructed to best practice principles, meeting the required tolerances and specifications of current industry standards, will have a functional life of approximately 20 years before major repairs, renovation or renewal is needed.

Fit for purpose facilities: actions

Over time, the facility will be exposed to user wear and tear, environmental impacts and natural weathering.

These factors impact the concrete, steel, timber, surface treatments, painting and other components that form a facility. Specialist maintenance (different from playground maintenance) for these facilities is extremely important for their function and to remain relevant, safe and prolong asset life.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents suggests that annual maintenance budgets for action wheeled sports facilities should be 10 per cent of facility value/ build cost. Through past experience the following provides a more realistic insight into the level of ongoing maintenance required for youth facilities. Note that this does not include maintenance for landscaping areas and wider parkland.

+ Frankston Skate Park: Demolition of outdated or non-functional skate elements, refurbishing the existing condition and function of the park, provision of all-weather protection over skate elements, sports lighting, spectator shade structures, seating and other landscape furniture. + Seaford Reserve: Redesign and rebuild of skate park to improve participant capacity and provide a space and skate equipment that is more contemporary with current and future trends. Redesign to include provision of amenities such as shade, seats, drinking fountains and bins. + Frankston BMX Track: Repairs of condition findings to BMX Track and redevelopment of amenity structures. + Establish an annual budget and allocate resource to specialist repair and maintenance service to be carried out at all skate and BMX facilities + Encourage and support private operators with an interest in investing in future purpose built indoor facilities through the Draft Frankston Industrial Strategy and the renewal of Kananook as a major sports and recreation destination.

Ongoing costs – percentage of total facility cost (%)

20 ONGOING MAINTENANCE (ANNUAL) 1–3% Includes minor repairs, refinishing, inspecting for defects, ensuring facility is safe and ensuring facility longevity.

18 16

RENOVATION 7–15% Order of expenditure for major renovation approximately between 13–14 years.

14 RENOVATION 5–10% Order of expenditure for major renovation approximately between 6–7 years.

12 10 8 6

END OF LIFE (20 YEARS) 100% cost to replace.

4 2

ONGOING 1–3%

ONGOING 1–3%

ONGOING 1–3%

0 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Expected life span of youth recreation space in years

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FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Implementation Plan PRIORITY

Facilities are well distributed throughout the municipality to meet the needs of our community and where they live

Integrated youth spaces are created as well as activated to maximise engagement

The design of facilities accommodates a range of youth related activities to complement the skate and BMX offering

ACTIONS

FUNDING SOURCE

Adopt a facility hierarchy

A classification system (including regional, district and local facilities) is adopted

N/A

Distribute facilities to meet changing population and demographics

Work with the community to refine the Langwarrin Skate Park, BMX Trail and Pump Track development concept plan – Stage 1 and Stage 2

Existing funding and new funding source

Langwarrin Skate Park, BMX Trail and Pump Track development concept plan – Stage 3

New funding source

Park revitalisation including construction of a new local level facility BMX/pump track at Banyan Reserve including the provision of ancillary infrastructure

Existing funding and new funding source

Ballam Park masterplan to determine feasibility of this site to address identified gap in provision of local level facilities in the Karingal area

Existing resource

Demolition of existing outdated skate facility and creation of new integrated youth space including provision of local level skate facilities and ancillary infrastructure at Monterey Reserve

Existing funding

Creation of an enhanced and integrated youth space to improve local level skate facility provision and ancillary infrastructure at Sandfield Reserve

Existing funding

+ Regular informal engagement with facility users, delivery of activity programs, clinics and sessions at all Frankston skate facilities as well as at targeted Frankston Municipality schools

Existing funding

INITIATIVES

Support the planning and delivery of Frankston Play Strategy initiatives to create integrated youth spaces.

Set and monitor service level targets for licence holder to activate all our skate and BMX facilities.

SHORT TERM

MED TERM

LONG TERM

+ All programs, clinics and workshops should promote social inclusion opportunities with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, CALD, ATSI, GLBTQ and female participation Expansion of Council led initiatives to activate our skate and BMX facilities

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

Community involvement in future facility design, particularly for the creation of new local facilities

Existing resource

Scheduled visitation to our facilities by the WHAT Bus, led by Youth Services

Existing resource

Integration of public art/street art murals into new and upgraded skate and BMX facilities

Existing funding

The inclusion of skate and BMX facilities as venues for FReeZA (Fresh Entertainment) to deliver complimentary music and entertainment events during the year

New funding source required

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PRIORITY

INITIATIVES

ACTIONS

FUNDING SOURCE

The programming and design of our facilities considers gender equality and inclusivity

Support a shared approach to more inclusive programming and equipment provision across our facilities to promote gender equity and inclusivity

Integrate gender equity priorities into future skate and BMX facility design through completion of a gender impact assessment

Existing resource

Provide gender equity education and mentoring support to not for profit skate and BMX clubs and providers

Existing resource

Promote existing women and girls programming opportunities at all of our facilities

Existing resource

Actively seek out new opportunities, including grant funding, to encourage and promote more women and girls activities at our skate and BMX facilities

Existing resource

Partner with individuals and organisations who can role model participation in these traditionally male dominated sports, eg. ambassadors, paid female coach opportunities

New funding source required

Upgrade Frankston Skate Park including the provision of all-weather protection over some skate elements, sports lighting and ancillary infrastructure

Existing funding

Redesign and rebuild of Seaford Skate Park including the provision of ancillary infrastructure

New funding source required

Repairs of condition findings to Frankston BMX track and redevelopment of amenity structures

Existing resource

Encourage and support private operators with an interest in investing in indoor facilities through the Frankston Industrial Strategy

Existing resource

Establish an annual budget and allocate resource to specialist repair and maintenance service to be carried out at all skate and BMX facilities

New funding source required

Facilities are constructed, maintained and well managed to ensure they are fit for purpose and their life span maximised

Plan for and support facility renewal and upgrades including refuge and viewing spaces that appeal to a wider selection of our community

Implement a proactive specialist maintenance schedule for skate and BMX facilities

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SHORT TERM

MED TERM

LONG TERM

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Appendix A — Facilities’ assessment An assessment of each of the existing Frankston facilities was completed to understand the expected facility life span, current condition and functionality. The facilities were assessed based on the two key criteria of condition and function.

The condition assessment determines the current state of a facility including features and obstacles, landscape including condition of amenities. The function assessment determines how the facility is used by participants and observers including skate function, overall design and layout as well as landscape and amenity.

Seaford Skate Park North Reserve 50R Railway Parade Seaford VIC 3198 Seaford Skate Park is a local level facility located in Seaford Reserve which caters for passive and active recreation. The existing skate park is a concrete street park.

Overall analysis The skate park and layout is moderately contemporary in its design and out-dated in its construction method. The outdated construction method has resulted in significant issues to the skate park with many uneven surfaces, chips and cracks forming in and around the obstacles.

The features throughout the facility cater to beginner to intermediate, with advanced riders also able to use the facility.

LEGEND: SURFACE CHIPPING CONCRETE SURFACE CHIPS THAT REQUIRE CHASING AND FILLING. MAJOR CRACKING CONCRETE SURFACE CRACKS THAT REQUIRE CHASING AND FILING. MINOR CRACKING HAIRLINE SURFACE CRACKS THAT REQUIRE MONITORING.

The layout of the features is in a back and forth style and limits its capacity of active users. The features are functional in their location with ample run up and/or run off areas either side of the features.

Furthermore, they are built to suitable proportions.

NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE REPAIRS REPAIR JOBS WITH INADEQUATE FINISHES / PROCESSES. EROSION LANDSCAPE EROSION. WATER POOLING INVESTIGATE CAUSE AND PREVENT FURTHER WATER POOLING. ROUGH SKATE SURFACE CONCRETE SURFACE HAS DETERIORATED. SURFACE TO BE RE-SEALED CONCRETE SURFACE DUE FOR RE-SEALING. SURFACE TO BE WASHED AND CLEANED CONCRETE SURFACE DUE FOR PRESSURE WASH AND CLEAN. SURFACE TO BE PAINTED SURFACES DUE FOR RE-PAINTING. DEBRIS SKATEPARK AREAS REQUIRING MAINTENANCE VANDALISM SKATEPARK AREAS DAMAGED BY VANDALISM. CONCRETE SAW CUT DAMAGE SKATEPARK CONCRETE SAW CUT CHIPPING / DAMAGE. COPING EDGE WEAR SKATEPARK CONCRETE TO COPING EDGE WEAR. CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION JOINT DAMAGE CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION JOINT CHIPPING / DAMAGE. CONCRETE DIFFERENTIAL SETTLEMENT DIFFERENTIAL SETTLEMENT CAUSING CONCRETE MOVEMENT.

The facility is supported by an adjoining large carpark and toilet block. There are no dedicated shade shelters, rubbish bins, drinking fountains or seating, however there is some natural shade provided by the trees surrounding the facility.

Recommendations + Facility repairs and upgrade including demolishing worn, damaged or non-functional skate elements, refurbishing the existing condition and function areas of concern to elevate the park to be in line with contemporary youth space facilities + Provision of shade shelter/s, rubbish bins, drinking fountains and seating

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

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Frankston Skate Park 16N Cranbourne Road Frankston VIC 3199 Classified as a regional facility, Frankston Skate Park is one of the largest free skate facilities in Australia (3400m2) with more than 50,000 visitors per year.

Council has a licence agreement in place for a not for profit organisation to supervise and manage the facility including providing regular learn to skate and skill based programs as well as competitions. Offering an onsite café to complement its skate facilities, this park is popular with people of all ages.

Overall analysis The skate park and layout is contemporary in its design and construction. Many of the features throughout the facility cater to intermediate to advanced riders, with a number of obstacles also catering to beginners.

LEGEND:

SURFACE CHIPPING CONCRETE SURFACE CHIPS THAT REQUIR

MAJOR CRACKING CONCRETE SURFACE CRACKS THAT REQU

MINOR CRACKING HAIRLINE SURFACE CRACKS THAT REQUIR

NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE REPAIRS REPAIR JOBS WITH INADEQUATE FINISHES

The features are functional in their location with ample run up and/or run off areas either side of the features.

Furthermore, they are built to suitable proportions.

ROUGH SKATE SURFACE CONCRETE SURFACE HAS DETERIORATED

SURFACE TO BE RE-SEALED CONCRETE SURFACE DUE FOR RE-SEALIN

SURFACE TO BE WASHED AND CLEANED CONCRETE SURFACE DUE FOR PRESSURE SURFACE TO BE PAINTED SURFACES DUE FOR RE-PAINTING.

DEBRIS SKATEPARK AREAS REQUIRING MAINTENA

The facility is supported by an adjoining large shade structure with ample concrete seats. There is some additional natural shade provided by the trees surrounding the facility.

CONCRETE SAW CUT DAMAGE SKATEPARK CONCRETE SAW CUT CHIPPIN COPING EDGE WEAR SKATEPARK CONCRETE TO COPING EDGE

CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION JOINT DAMAG CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION JOINT CHIPPIN

CONCRETE DIFFERENTIAL SETTLEMENT DIFFERENTIAL SETTLEMENT CAUSING CON

Other amenities that support the facility include a small shop selling drinks and snack items, rubbish bins located around the facility, a toilet block and an adjacent drinking fountain.

Recommendations + Demolition of outdated or non-functional skate elements + Refurbishing existing surfaces and obstacles where required + Consideration given to additional functional elements to provide greater diversity to users and to increase facility capacity + Installation of all-weather protection over some skate elements + Upgrades to existing spectator amenities including the provision of shade shelter/s, rubbish bins, drinking fountains and seating + Provision of sports lighting to extend the useable hours of this regional facility

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FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Monterey Reserve Skate Park Monterey Community Park Monterey Boulevard Frankston North VIC 3200 Monterey Reserve Skate Park (Pines Skate Park) is a basic street style park following a back and forth layout. It classified as a local level facility.

Overall analysis The skate park and layout is outdated in its design and construction method. The features throughout the facility are intended to cater to beginner to intermediate, with advanced riders also able to use the facility, but due to poor design and construction as well as extensive damage, this park does not cater to any user group.

The layout of the facility is in a back and forth layoutSpace with Youth no ramps at either end. This limits flow between features Detail Plan and capacity of active users.

11

1:200 @ A1

The Youth Space for M Community Hub. The s BMX, Rollerblade / Ro to enable easy viewing

2 2

The Skate Facility is in - ramps - rails - bowls - other elements

10 10

3. A FRAME COMBO The facility is supported by an adjoining large carpark, 4.

FLOW BOWL children’s playground, basketball half court and 5.

QUARTER PIPE parkland. There is a shade shelter approximately 50m away, and a non-functioning drinking fountain.

There 6. LEDGE / BANK is some natural shade provided by surrounding trees.

7. MINI RAMP

To the north of the Ska for different abilities inc

44

As you move further so Multi-Use Court, with p and hoop, and netball

33

To the west is the large grassed informal game garden areas.

*

88 5

8. PLATFORM / Recommendations LEDGE & RAIL + Demolition of existing skate park and design and 9. GRASSED AREA INFORMAL BALL construction of an integrated youth space for GAMES / SPORTS Monterey Reserve including skate & pump track 10. CAFE STOOL AND LOW TABLE + New skate park design and pump track to be CLUSTER (WITH considered as part of the Monterey ReserveSHELTER) Master Plan which seeks to identify opportunities11. to MULTI-USE COURT strengthen its community hub and improveWITH its FENCED BARRIER multi-functional use 12. MULTI-USE COURT (SHOWING + Design to consider the provision of shade shelter/s, DIFFERENT BALL AND rubbish bins, drinking fountains and seatingGAMES ACTIVITIES)

7 7

There are multiple cros embedded sleeper pav accessible concrete pa combination of natural

99

6

Sustainable lighting is

Garden areas of low s smell, texture and colo circular garden area, p It is suggested that the - reflect Frankston Nor - play into the moveme - add another layer of

NOTE: DETAILS OF Y PLAN ENDORSEMEN

Below and Opposite Page:

11 11

12 12

1. Climbing Tower 2. Dual Flying Fox 3. A Frame Combo (example) 4. Flow Bowl (example) 5. Quarter Pipe (example) 6. Ledge / Bank (example only) 7. Mini Ramp (example only) 8. Platform / Ledge & Rail (example only) 9. Grassed Area - Informal Ball Games / Sports 10. Cafe Stool and Low Table Cluster (with Shelter) 11. Multi-Use Court with Fenced Barrier 12. Multi-Use Court (showing different ball games and activities)

*

+ Raised stepped social area and stage (with power and wi-fi) + Grassed flexible/informal games area + Multi-use court with fenced barrier + Multi-use court (showing different ball games and activities) + Accessible picnic table for groups and 12 family gatherings + Cafe picnic tables (on raised stepped social area) + Inclusive ping pong table 2 + Sensory interactive sculptural elements (set in landscape) 3 2

6

SUGGESTED MA SURFACING:

Conc

Bitum (Car P

Artist's Perspective Youth Space Not to Scale

1

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

Youth Spac

YOUTH SPACE, ADV

The poor design, construction method, and vandalism 1. in CLIMBING have resulted in this park being unusable and needTOWER of immediate rectification.

2. DUAL FLYING FOX

A draft master plan has been prepared for Monterey Reserve which seeks to identify opportunities to strengthen its community hub and improve its multifunctional use. The recently adopted Frankston Play Strategy (2021) also identifies priority upgrades to play and recreation facilities, to provide a district level, fenced playspace, youth space (incorporating skate/ BMX) and improved multi-use court. The proposed youth space includes: + Nest tower (6.9m high) + Accessible two-tiered triangular cargo net + Timber log climbing challenge + Pump, skate and scoot pad

1

4

5

10

27

Sandfield Reserve Skate Park Sandfield Reserve 49R Sandfield Drive Carrum Downs VIC 3201 Sandfield Reserve Skate Park was rebuilt in 2013 and is well integrated into the surrounding parkland, includes shade for riders and ancillary play equipment such as a basketball half court. It is popular with skaters, BMX riders and scooter riders of all ages. It is currently a local level facility however this strategy supports renewal and upgrades outlined in the Sandfield Reserve Master Plan in order to lift the skate elements to a district level classification providing a suitable offering for the growing youth population residing in this area.

Overall analysis The skate park is comprised of two areas, which are defined by the stage 1 skate park, and the stage 2 skate park extension. Layouts of both stages 1 and 2 are moderately contemporary in their design and current in their construction method. Many of the features throughout the facility cater to beginner to intermediate, with advanced riders also able to use the facility. The stage 1 area is showing more sign of wear due to its age and requires maintenance.

The features are functional in their location with ample run up and/or run off areas either side of the features.

Furthermore, they are built to suitable proportions.

The facility is supported by an adjoining basketball half court and hit-up wall. There are two dedicated shade shelters, and there is some natural shade provided by the trees surrounding the facility.

The facility is in need of immediate rectification works to address graffiti vandalism.

Recommendations Council adopted the Sandfield Reserve Landscape Master Plan on Monday 30 August 2021. The master plan sets out clear directions for the future use and development of Sandfield Reserve for the next 10 years.

The project will support youth recreation and education

28

activities for the adjacent Rowellyn Park Primary School and to the broader community. It includes: + Improved all abilities access within the reserve with a new path network that improves the pedestrian circulation and connectivity. The proposed circulation path with supplementary lighting will encourage greater use of the reserve to improve passive surveillance and promote activation and healthy behaviors. + An enhanced youth space that provides new recreation opportunities + Enhanced park amenity including seating, signage, waste / recycle bins, BBQ, picnic and provision of toilet facilities to support longer stay + New tree planting to provide cool corridors and spaces whilst achieving urban forest tree canopy targets for the site + Enhanced play space to meet district level play provision + Protect and enhance the existing lawn area for informal play and informal ball sports + All ages exercise equipment to provide facilities which enhance active fitness opportunities for the aged community + Skate park improvements to provide a broader range of opportunities for users across different skill levels

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Langwarrin Skate Park, BMX Trail and Pump Track 163 Cranbourne Frankston Road Langwarrin VIC 3910 Langwarrin Skate Park is located within the Lloyd Park Reserve and is made up of Langwarrin Skate Park, Langwarrin Pump Track and Langwarrin BMX Track.

The facility caters for passive and active recreation including pathways, playgrounds, community hall, various sporting grounds and courts in addition to the skate facility. The existing skate park was constructed in 2010 and is used by skaters, BMX riders and scooter riders of all ages. It is currently a local level facility however this strategy supports renewal and upgrades to lift Langwarrin Skate Park, BMX Trail and Pump Track to a district level classification.

Overall analysis The facility is comprised of three areas, which are defined by the skate park, pump track and BMX track.

The skate park layout is moderately contemporary in its design and current in its construction method.

Many of the features throughout the facility cater to beginner to intermediate, with advanced riders also able to use the facility. The skate park is showing signs of wear due to its age and requires maintenance as well as rectification works.

The features are functional in their location with ample run up and/or run off areas either side of the features.

Furthermore, they are built to suitable proportions.

The layout of features is in a back and forth state and limits its capacity of active users.

The pump track and BMX tracks are poorly designed and constructed. They are unusable in its current state, and recommendations include demolition, redesign and reconstruction.

The facility is supported by an adjoining shade shelter, bench seating and a carpark.

Recommendations The existing Langwarrin Skate Park, BMX Track and Pump Track provides an opportunity to upgrade and extend on the existing infrastructure to provide a broader district sized youth precinct that appeals to a various rider styles. It is recommended that community consultation informs the concept design for this upgrade and extension.

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

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Frankston BMX Track 101R Old Wells Road Seaford VIC 3198 The Frankston BMX Track is a regional level facility and the home of the Frankston BMX Club. The facility offers a circuit course suitable for beginners and elite riders.

Overall analysis The BMX track is contemporary in its design, reflects UCI design guidelines and is current in its construction method. Many of the features throughout the facility cater to beginner to intermediate and advanced riders.

The features are functional in their location within accordance with BMX track design standards.

The facility is supported by a variety of amenities including a shop, clubroom, storage room, race monitor lookout, carpark, tables, seats and start/finish lines.

LEGEND:

Recommendations (currently being implemented) + Installation of all track surface (all weather surface) + Track safety fence + Track sports lighting (stage 1: power upgrade) + Female friendly public toilets

SURFACE CHIPPING CONCRETE SURFACE CHIPS THAT REQUIRE CHASING AND FILLING. MAJOR CRACKING CONCRETE SURFACE CRACKS THAT REQUIRE CHASING AND FILING. MINOR CRACKING HAIRLINE SURFACE CRACKS THAT REQUIRE MONITORING. EROSION LANDSCAPE EROSION. WATER POOLING INVESTIGATE CAUSE AND PREVENT FURTHER WATER POOLING. VANDALISM SKATEPARK AREAS DAMAGED BY VANDALISM. AMENITY DEGRADATION AMENITY CONDITION HAS DETERIORATED.

Future recommendations + Consideration given to updating existing amenities including shop and clubroom

30

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Overport Park BMX and Pump Track 159 Overport Road Frankston South VIC 3199 The Overport Park BMX and Pump Track is a new local level facility. The junior pump track was constructed and opened in July 2023, with the intermediate and advanced sections of the BMX track opening later in December. The completed facility offers a circuit course suitable for beginners through to advanced riders.

Overall analysis As a new facility, Overport Park BMX and Pump Track is contemporary in its design and uses current construction methods. The facility includes a beginner level pump track as well as jump sections suitable for beginner through to advanced riders.

Landscape design and the provision of ancillary infrastructure such as shade, seating and drinking water has been embedded into the overall facility design to provide a positive experience for both participants and observers.

Recommendations + Regular maintenance to ensure the standard of this new facility is maintained

FRANKSTON SKATE AND BMX STRATEGY 2024-2034

31

Appendix B — Sport inclusions Skate

BMX

The term ‘skate’ within this report refers to any activity that utilises a wheeled, non-motorised device to roll or ride on different surfaces and elements within a skate park or the urban environment.

It is important to identify that the evolution of BMX spaces encompasses a broader range of wheeled action sports user groups. Although the user group is more limited than those of ‘skate’ spaces, BMX spaces cater to more than just BMX riders. User typologies that utilise dirt BMX facilities include dirt BMX bikes, BMX racing bikes and mountain bikes.

Skateboarding The growth and popularity of the sport secured it a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The original style of skateboarding has developed into three distinct disciplines: street, park and transition, each providing the rider with a different set of challenges and way of riding.

Inline skating Freestyle inline skating or rollerblading was first undertaken in the 1980s, and developed from the more initially relaxed pursuit of rollerskating. Wearing shoes or boots with a line of three to five wheels, inline skaters utilise both the urban environment and skate parks.

Quad skating Quad skating or rollerskating developed in 1935 and became popular again in the 60s and 70s with the development of the first polyurethane wheels. Skates can be used as a form of transportation but have been commonly used in recent years on roller derby tracks or for freestyle skating. Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams with five members skating in the same direction around a track. Points are accrued by lapping the opposing team. Freestyle skating is similar to skateboarding in that tricks are performed on various features throughout the urban environment or within a designated skate space.

Scooters Scooters were created at a similar time to the first skateboards and have taken on various shapes and configurations over time. Over the last fifteen years, scooters have remained popular with younger users and are often seen at skate parks. Given the size and fragility of scooters, there are not many older users; individuals generally progress to BMX or skateboards.

Scooters are a great starting point for younger users to be introduced to wheeled sports and skate park facilities.

32

Freestyle BMX Freestyle BMX has been around since the early 1970s and is very different to BMX racing (its dirt counterpart).

Freestyle BMX users focus on individual jumps and tricks. Freestyle BMX has grown to include five distinct disciplines: street, park, vert, dirt, and flatland. These usually involve technical manoeuvres or ‘tricks’ with the bike in different ways over varied terrain. The majority, of BMX use in skate parks is freestyle; recent studies of Melbourne facilities show freestyle BMX use growing steadily in popularity.

Dirt BMX/BMX racing bikes Dirt BMX bikes are smaller in size than standard mountain bikes. This allows them to have a lower centre of gravity and to be lighter and more agile, helping to meet the needs for racing and performing tricks. The dirt jump BMX bike generally has a larger, taller, thicker and heavier frame than a BMX racing bike. Many racing BMX bikes are now constructed of carbon fibre to decrease weight and increase strength.

Riders tend to keep their seats as low as possible to allow for aerobatic movements and also keep them out of the way whilst pedaling as most BMX riding is done in a standing position.

Mountain bikes Mountain biking has developed into one of the most popular sporting activities in the world. Its development overtime has seen the evolution of various types and styles of mountain bikes, including downhill, dirt jumping, cross country, four cross, free riding, trials and urban/street. All of these styles can utilise dirt BMX tracks, dirt jumps and pump tracks. Mountain bikes are generally larger than BMX bikes and many have both front and rear suspension to help absorb impacts.

FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Appendix C — Riding styles Skate Bowl, pool or transition skating Bowl skating evolved from the skating of swimming pools in the 60s and 70s when pools were empty due to drought. Made up of continuous transitions and flowing quarter-pipes, it allows users to generate speed to perform tricks on the coping around the top edge or launch out above the coping to execute aerial manoeuvres. Bowls are generally constructed from concrete or timber.

Vert skating This style of skate also developed from pool skating but rather than being an enclosed bowl it is literally a ‘half-pipe’ with ‘vert’ added to either side. Users go back and forth and ‘pump’ up and down the transition, gaining momentum to perform tricks at the top of either side.

The difference between a half-pipe and vert ramp is the inclusion of the vertical section above each quarter pipe, making it more suited to advanced riders. Vert ramps are commonly made from steel, concrete, timber or ‘skatelite’ with steel coping at the top of the quarters.

Street skating Street skating utilises features found in the urban environment. Examples include stairs, handrails, benches, kerbs and can be as simple as a smooth flat open area to perform ‘flat ground’ tricks in. It requires smooth, flat spacious areas commonly made up of hard and robust materials such as concrete and granite.

Street skaters enjoy exploring the urban environment.

Park skating Park skating is defined by using purpose built spaces dedicated to skateboarding and other wheeled sports.

Generally, park will encompass many varieties of skate style obstacles included in one space. Parks can be heavily street or transition orientated or a combination of both, depending on user requirements. They cater for beginner to advanced users and provide a progressive space for skill development. Parks are generally a family friendly space with accompanying amenities such as shade and seating.

Other Other styles of skate which are less relevant to specific skate facilities include ‘freestyle skating’, which originated in the 60s and has had resurgences over the years. It involves performing technical tricks in a flat hardstanding area. ‘Downhill skating’ which uses specific equipment such as a longer board and bigger wheels

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to race down large hills. ‘Cruiser skating’ is used as a method of transport down pathways or hills. Boards come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes from fishtails and pennies to completely custom designs which usually sit on big chunky wheels.

BMX BMX racing Derived from motocross racing, BMX racing is run and formatted in a similar style. Eight riders race around a short track made up of jumps, obstacles and large banked corners with the intention of crossing the finish line first. BMX racing requires typically smaller bikes that are lighter and more agile than those required for street riding and dirt jumps. BMX racing is the most structured of BMX riding styles.

Dirt jumps A more informal strand of BMX riding, dirt jumps are an unstructured sport that challenges the rider’s courage, patience and skill. Dirt jumps are designed to propel the rider higher into the air than BMX racing jumps, allowing the rider enough time to perform tricks, such as backflips, no handers and 360s. BMX jumps come in an unlimited variety of layouts, designs and sizes, from single tracks with jumps distributed along them to large parks with endless lines. Although generally a more unstructured recreational sport there are still frequent national and international competitions. Dirt jumps cater to all bike types so appeal to a large number of users, ages and abilities.

BMX pump track BMX pump tracks comprise a circuit consisting of banked turns, bumps and roll over jumps, which riders navigate by simply ‘pumping’ (creating momentum with up and down body movements), eliminating the need to pedal. Pump tracks cater to a wide variety of skill levels and a wide range of BMX and mountain bike users. Some BMX pump tracks consist of multiple lines and options that a Rider can take but will always link back to the starting point, creating an endless loop. Pump tracks are traditionally built of dirt; recently tracks have also been built with asphalt, compacted granitic sand and even concrete, meaning they can also cater to skateboarders and scooter riders. They have become an extremely popular addition to many skate park facilities in recent years, offering a cost effective solution that allows for community activity of all ages, disciplines and abilities.

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Appendix D — Facility trends Skate Facilities There are a number of current trends in the provision of skate park facilities around the world.

Plaza/street parks There is an international trend to develop ‘skateable landscapes’ or ‘urban plaza’ style facilities, given the high participation rate in street or plaza style skating.

These spaces replicate the urban environment with seating ledges, stairs and rails in a large flat open space allowing participants to skate ‘lines’ or in a continuous flow linking several tricks. This style of facility can often be multipurpose within the built environment and has been a consistent form of skateboarding since the 1990s.

Transition parks The dominant theme within a transition skate park is flow: a user should be able to pump or generate speed throughout the whole facility without having to push.

Features found within a transition skate park include but are not limited to quarter-pipes, hips, bowls, extensions, moguls and volcanoes. This style of facility has developed throughout the lifecycle of skateboarding and is one of the most popular skate facility typologies.

Combination parks There is a significant push by the Australian skate and BMX community for the development of combination style facilities. This type of facility consolidates transition and street together into a single space and is an efficient way to provide for different user styles.

Design consideration allows for varied spaces to ensure a high capacity of users during peak times. This helps to avoid potential collisions and provide components for all skill levels to enable progression.

Youth spaces and activity areas These facilities can cater for local or large scale events dependent on design parameters.

Councils are seeing the importance of catering for a broader range of young people when providing public recreation spaces. This has led to the development of integrated ‘youth precincts or spaces’ in a number of municipalities throughout Australia.

These facilities provide a range of activities which cater for a much broader demographic of young people and their individual recreation needs, whilst integrating skate function into the design.

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Sculptural skate Recently, particularly within an urban design and landscape architecture discourse, pop-up skate pieces or skateable sculpture have a way of reinserting skate function into the existing urban realm or public space.

Such feature elements have manifested in a number of ways. For example, steel elements along a pathway can be activated as play items, seating or skateable pieces. Another example is including robust seating or structures through appropriate urban environments, or complementary activities such as basketball courts.

Shared urban Purposefully designed urban realm spaces by experienced designers can create multi-purpose spaces within the built environment that cater to both the city inhabitant and skater. These spaces often include features that a predominantly street style obstacles with materiality carefully selected to be robust yet replicate the urban fabric of a city or town. The addition of such design elements in public spaces where people already congregate, assists in debunking existing misconceptions about skate facilities and the young people who frequent them.

Skate trail Skate trails can provide a fun way for skaters to travel between spaces. This can be integrated into pedestrian walking, running or cycling paths when designed correctly. Street and transition features can be included to create a diverse and unique experience when traveling from A to B. Indoor parks Indoor facilities are less common in Australia due to drier weather conditions however there are currently four indoor parks within Victoria that are popular amongst end users. It is often difficult to find appropriately large enough spaces in central locations to provide high visitation rates that can build a strong business case for these types of facilities. However, there are successful international examples which combine multiple uses such as climbing, bouldering, cafés, bars, and cinemas to provide activated urban facilities for young people to hang out. It is worth noting that indoor facilities generally require admission fees, supervision staff and maintenance crews unlike free to use open public outdoor spaces and facilities.

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Drain skate This style of skate facility has evolved from the large open storm water drains and culverts found in the USA that were skated in the 60s and 70s. Users flow from side to side generating speed off the concrete banks and perform tricks on features designed into and on top of the sides. This facility style can have specific location requirements with topography and space being a necessity.

Temporary parks Temporary parks or skate features can be useful to provide a pop-up skate space in multiple locations.

More commonly used for events, temporary features will generally be small enough to transport to various locations. Temporary parks can be beneficial for a short-term solution but can have maintenance issues, difficulties with management and theft as well as filling the public space void once they are moved to a new location. In the past, skate fashion brands have organised temporary skate features to be set up within the Melbourne Museum Plaza in the Carlton Gardens which is a popular skate sport for the local community.

Olympic skate disciplines The introduction of skateboarding into the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was a success with the event showcasing skateboarding to a global audience. The female events were perhaps more successful on the global stage as the athletes became role models for a large number of young females interested in the sport.

The intention for skateboarding within the Olympics is to keep the types of spaces that are used as competitive facilities flexible to ensure that as skateboarding continues to evolve, so to do the facilities that are competed on making sure that the event remains current with global trends.

The two disciplines that are included within the Olympics include park style skating and street style skating.

Park style facilities are transition heavy and encourage flow between features that enable the athlete to skate unique and creative lines or runs that contributes to the judging and scoring. This discipline typically includes aerial tricks. Secondly, street skating facilities are often a more back and forth style with large central features that include rails, hubbas, stair sets, etc. The tricks performed in this type of facility are generally more technical with judging and scoring focusing on this aspect of the athletes run.

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BMX There are a number of current trends occurring in the provision of BMX facilities around the world from the large scale BMX racing facilities to local pump tracks or informal dirt jump parks.

BMX racing BMX racing has become a large-scale spectator sport in recent years with annual club, regional, national and international level competitions drawing crowds of spectators to BMX facilities. This has forced BMX racing tracks to evolve over the years from roped off dirt tracks to more formalised back and forth layouts to cater for spectators and riders skill development.

BMX tracks are generally laid out in an ‘M’ shape, consisting of three major corners called ‘berms’. The growth of BMX sports over recent years has meant that any large-scale facilities must provide enough space for seating stands, food trucks, sponsorship tent areas and grassed areas that act as communal viewing and gathering spaces for spectators.

Dirt jumps Every dirt jump park is unique, in style, size and layout.

Small-scale dirt jump facilities tend to follow a single trail or track that have a number of different sized jumps ranging in difficulty and size. Larger facilities provide multiple lines, jumps and corners. The inclusion of features such as wall rides, large shipping containers and steel and timber ramps are often included in larger dirt jump parks and generally cater to the more experienced rider.

There are a number of different styles of jumps that vary in size, scale and skill; these include; ‘table tops’, ‘doubles’, ‘ski jumps’, step ups’, ‘rollers’, ‘spines’, ‘whoops’, ‘triple jumps’ and ‘hips’.

Trail parks Trail bike parks take up less space than other bike facilities as the user jumps from obstacle to obstacle, rather than rolling through the space. Features such as boulders, timber obstacles and shipping containers can be arranged to cater for different levels of ability.

These also include obstacles and technical features which test the rider’s balance and skill including items such as seesaws and raised narrow wooden bridges.

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Pump tracks Pump tracks have become a common trend in recent years as an add-on feature within open space that compliments other recreation program such as playgrounds and skateparks. Pump tracks can cater to all riders and user levels however often have a focus on the beginner to intermediate end user.

In recent years pump tracks have become sculptural pieces within the landscape, as the mounded earth and flowing turns create a unique and interesting feature.

Many pump tracks are painted in bright captivating colours and designed to appeal to the younger generation of riders to develop their skills.

Freestyle BMX Freestyle BMX typically utilises features within a transition or combination style skate park however due to its inclusion within the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games there will be a developing trend to have more purpose built and designed freestyle BMX facilities within the public realm.

Features and obstacles within a facility of this typology are very similar to those included within skate parks however due to the nature of this style the sizing of the features is generally much bigger. Spacing between obstacles differs as generation of speed by the rider can be created more easily.

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