Skatepark in Bystra Podhalanska nominated for prestigious award

The project was made possible thanks to the involvement of the Bystra-Sidzina Municipality as an investor and cooperation with experienced contractors Techramps and Flowparks. The designer, MODUS Design Studio under the leadership of Miroslaw Macioszek, together with the SloConcept team , created a space that not only meets the needs of users of different skill levels, but also aesthetically complements the landscape.

Covering an area of 525 sqm, the skatepark offers a variety of elements, including from the momentum section, called Bank, on top of which are placed grindboxes, street platforms, which include Platform, Grindbox 3/3, Broken Handrail, Straight Grindbox, Funbox with Grindbox and an element called Barcelona, as well as from the straight handrail, funbox with gap and straight grindbox, corner and recursion section, the Quarter Pipe with different heights. The designers focused on providing smooth and dynamic rides, which is crucial for skaters of all skill levels.

- Designed in a classic rectangular shape. Designed for practicing street riding. All elements have been matched to each other on the principle of communicating vessels, resulting in the possibility of smooth, dynamic rides. Each obstacle is designed for beginners, intermediate and advanced users of skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and BMX bikes. All elements are fully functional, complying with the European skatepark design standard," says Karol Piszczek, proxy of SloConcept, the author of theskatepark concept.

The process of designing the sk atepark also took into account its location near the school, which was important both from the point of view of safety and accessibility for the youngest users.

- Research conducted by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism during the "Stop Exemptions from P.E." campaign shows that Polish children are less active in P.E. lessons. The biggest problem with this phenomenon is insufficient funds allocated to activities liked by children such as skateboarding. From another report authored by PKO Bank, we can read that 8% of surveyed children distinguish skateboarding among their favorite P.E. activities, and according to surveyed parents, 27% of their kids choose skateboarding, explains Joanna Gęborska, marketing specialist at Techramps Group. - That's why it's so important to educate and expand future school infrastructure. We are happy to be part of this process," she points out.

The skatepark is an integral part of a larger sports complex, which also includes elements such as a flowpark for calisthenics and street workout enthusiasts. Complementing the space with small architecture, such as benches, trash garbage cans, bike racks and a pergola, the whole complex becomes a family-friendly place conducive to spending time outdoors.

- In recent years, the popularity of street workout has grown significantly. Contributing factors include a growing awareness of health and fitness, the availability of free and versatile workout spots, and the rise of a fitness culture on social media. The COVID-19 pandemic also had an impact, as many people began to look for alternative forms of outdoor activity ,notes Piotr Reczynski, founder of the Flowparks brand. - I predict that the trend for outdoor fitness facilities will continue to grow, especially in the context of increased health awareness and the need for accessible public spaces. Basic bars, ladders and handrails are now a natural part of public spaces, as are benches, playgrounds, sports fields and outdoor gyms , he adds.

Thanks to the flexibility and commitment of the contractors, it was possible to create a facility that not only meets the highest European safety standards, but also provides a place that integrates naturally with the surrounding landscape and existing sports infrastructure. A distinguishing feature of the facility is the installed lighting performed by subcontractor Hochtech of Warsaw. The designed lighting is specialized sports lighting, which allows the facility to be used at any time of the day or night, while maintaining the safety and comfort of users. This is quite important, as many users struggle to get lighting at their local skateparks, sometimes without success.

- The layout of the lamps, floodlights and the height of the poles have been precisely adjusted to the shape of the skatepark, ensuring even illumination of the facility during evening rides. Thanks to remote control via a smartphone app, the manager can easily manage the lighting, turning it on or off according to current needs or setting specific installation hours, explains Bartosz Polak, head of Techramps' Construction Department. - Skatepark lighting should be standard, but the additional cost prevents some municipalities from doing so. Users are well aware of the pleasure provided by evening riding on warm summer days. Let's hope that more comprehensive facilities similar to the one in Bystra Podhalanska will be built in Poland ," he points out .

The skatepark project in Bystra Podhalanska is proof of how a modern approach to the design of public spaces can increase physical activity and social integration. It is a place that not only encourages the development of extreme sports, but also becomes a platform for building interpersonal relationships and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The nomination for the "Modernization of the Year and Construction of the 21st Century" award is a confirmation of the value the project brings to the local community and more broadly to the Polish public space.

You can vote for the skatepark here: h ttps:// www.modernizacjaroku.org.pl/pl/edition/4024/object/4228/skatepark-wraz-z-elementami-malej-architektury-oraz-instalacja-elektryczna

The investor of the skatepark is the Bystra-Sidzina municipality. The construction of the facility was entrusted to Techramps Sp. z o.o. sp. k. from Krakow and Flowparks sp. z o.o., which cooperated in the construction of the facility. The author of the design documentation is Pracownia Projektów MODUS from Krakow under the management of Miroslaw Macioszek, while the SloConcept company is responsible for the concept of the skatepark.