It is more than just messing around with a skateboard at a skatepark. For some, it is how we connect with the environment, community members, and ourselves. For others, the skatepark is our safe space and the act of skateboarding is a form of therapy.
New Line Skateparks recently had the honor of supporting the Spring Sprung Skate Jam and Fundraiser held in Calgary, Alberta in support of Push To Heal.
“The creation of the Push to Heal program led to skateboard-based opportunities as a means of engaging a number of youth and enriching the treatment being provided. The Push to Heal program also contributed to a deeper understanding of the impact of skateboarding on healing as well as the development of best practices in the international social skateboarding community. Push to Heal is part of Hull’s Pathways to Prevention: A Centre for Childhood Trauma.”
The event held on March 22nd drew nearly 150 people, including 70+ amateur skaters who participated in the competition, judges from across the province including our Marketing Coordinator Denise Biziaev, and special guests and professional skateboarders John Rattray and Chris Haslam.
#buildingskateboarding #buildingcommunity
BTS photos courtesy of Flying Fox Productions
Together, with valuable input from community members, our team of designers are excited to help shape the final all-wheel skatepark design for the City of La Mesa‘s forthcoming community hub!
Hosted by our Director of Design, Kanten Russell, the local community gathered on March 6, 2025 at the Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy in La Mesa, CA to provide input on three working design plans in person, along with the option to share feedback online via survey link. Advocating for a much needed upgrade to the current skatepark, the working design plans and community members expressed the hope for a more inclusive skatepark for all-wheel type users, a greater size of skateable terrain with modern features, and a safe space equipped with spectator areas that can be used for years to come.
Community engagement opportunities like this concept plan workshop remain invaluable to our design process. Not only do we learn about what local wheeled users value in a skatepark, but these opportunities also communicate the community culture and values which further informs us as we shape the final design.
The La Mesita Skatepark renovation project is a much anticipated one and we feel fortunate to collaborate with the La Mesa community, designing for the future!
#buildingskateboarding #buildingcommunity
Catch the action and hear about the community centered process that lead to the development of the highly integrated and accessible Gibbel Skate Plaza in Hemet, California. The park has already elevated the level of riding in the region and became an instant destination for All Wheel users of any age.
Built for Community, by the Community.
Video production by: Jim Kappel
Featuring: Kanten Russell, TJ Rogers, James Goebel, Joe Males, Brandon Turner.
Learn about the project approach and check out the action at the recent grand opening of the of the Fire Station Skate Plaza in Fort Worth Texas. The project was a true collaboaration between our design team at New Line, Near Southside Inc, the advocates and skaters connected to Magnolia Skateshop, VF Corporation and Dickies Skateboarding.
Featuring- Jamie Foy Jake Hayes Guy Mariano Mike Anderson Christian Henry Dylan Jaeb Vincent Alvarez Adrian Adrid Franky Villani
Filmed By – @BobbyBils @KevPerezz & Will McCarthy Edited By – Bobby Bils
Another first for international skateboarding! The completion of the Banff Skatepark marks the introduction of the first integrated public concrete skatepark within a North American National Park setting.
Part of the UNESCO Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, Banff National Park is Canada’s largest and most renowned National Park with over 3 million visitors a year making the pilgrimage from across the globe. Recognizing the importance of the site and gravity of the unprecedented development opportunity at hand, our team embarked on an intensive 12 month design and construction process involving local skateboarders, civic officials, and planning experts from Parks Canada. Along with achieving a world-class selection of modern skatepark terrain, critical environmental stewardship, wildlife preservation, and architectural control requirements had to be addressed in a manner fitting for Banff’s unique ‘heart’, culture, and breathtaking surroundings. The result is a facility of global significance, demonstrating a thoughtful balance of compelling skateable architecture, sustainable design, and signature accents that reflect the best of Banff’s unmistakable character.
A huge THANK YOU to the dedicated City Council and Staff, Local Skaters, and Parks Canada Representatives who helped make this landmark project a reality!
Many of us know this from personal experience, skateboarding makes us feel better. The question is: What happens when we intentionally create space to use skateboarding as a vehicle for inclusion, learning and well being? A global conversation has begun to shed light on the inherent impact skateboarding can have on Mental Health, Education and Social Issues. Listen to Joe Buffalo, Jonah Bayley, Kristin Ebeling, Joel Pippus and John Rattray discuss just this during SWITCH: A panel discussion on skateboarding’s effect on Mental Health, Education and Social Awareness. Curated by Everett Tetz and Rose Archie and brought to you by New Line Skateparks in partnership with the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition.
Photo by Jeff Thorburn and Video by Mike Bradley.
Here is a throwback to the Primitive Demo at Vancouver Plaza back in 2016 featuring:
PAUL RODRIGUEZ, SHANE O’NEILL, CARLOS RIBEIRO, NICK TUCKER, TRENT MCCLUNG, DIEGO NAJERA, DEVINE CALLOWAY
Filmed and Edited by Mat de Koning
Push To Heal is a short film made in association with Hull Services and the Child Trauma Academy – the home of our Matt Banister Memorial Skatepark. It endeavors to verbally articulate and visually demonstrate the connections between skateboarding and neuroscience, and highlights skateboarding as an activity that can heal the human brain from past trauma. This film also provides a snapshot of how and why skateboarding should be viewed as a viable option as part of treatment for high needs children.
It was a privilege for our team to donate a significant portion of our design-build services to create this special campus park. A special Thank you to Jim and Susan Banister, Janet Morgan-de Bruyn, Matt Allen, and Joel Pipus for bringing this amazing project and life-changing program to life.
