Falls Township Skate Park: designed by skateboarders, inspired by the community

“We’re impressed because our city did it right,” are the words that hit Will Hemler the most. For a skate park specialist to hear this from local skaters, Hemler knows the creative process he coordinated over five years was a success. The Falls Township Skate Park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, had full support from its Parks and Recreation Department, the skate park planning committee, the local skate shop and skateboarders of all ages. “Parks and Rec wanted hands-on research and planning to develop a world-class park,” explains Hemler.

He coordinated grassroots concept meetings, which included in-depth interviews with skaters of all ages and skill levels to help develop and hone the designs.

“The Parks and Recreation Department wanted to deliver what the kids wanted: a signature park with regional appeal and obstacles to guarantee an exciting and ongoing challenge,” says Hemler. “It’s not what we’d consider ‘standard-issue.’”

Within approximately 20,000 square feet, the skate park includes elements appealing to a range of skaters: a traditional ramp system, a technical street course, and a concrete bowl. Its street course replicates local street spots that are popular areas to skate.

“By communicating with all ages and demographics of skaters over time, we acquired a strong perspective on the trends and needs,” says Hemler. “The ten-year-old kids we first interviewed are now in high school. Their skills and perspectives have gone from beginner-mode to advanced.”

Current trends include street courses that are not cookie-cutter designs. Such courses offer a range of challenging heights, taller boxes and wedges, longer transitions, and technical step-ups, instead of simple, less functional layouts. In addition, focusing on making a park’s courses not only functional for advanced skaters, but appropriate for beginners, too, is critical for a skate park’s longevity.

Hemler believes the design success of Falls Township Skate Park is also because of his design team’s knowledge of local skating styles and trends. “This park was inspired by the Philadelphia area. We’re familiar with the elements the skaters like to see. They don’t just want to be fed something,” he adds.

For more information on skate park planning and design, contact Will Hemler, General Recreation Skate Park Specialist, at 610-304-1973 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .