skatepark industry statistics
:.
Currently there are approximately 1000
skateparks in the U.S., all of which have
been built between January 2001 and July
2002 (Atlanta Journal Constitutional). At
the beginning of 2004, there were 1800 parks
that have been built both in the U.S. and
abroad.
There are as many as 2000 more parks projected
to be built in 2004 in the U.S. (Heidi Lemon
of Skate Park Association- www.spausa.org).
According to the website skatepark.org,
168 communities in the U.S. have currently
posted a want, need, or urgency for skatepark
development in their area. This is also
keeping in mind that this is only one website
where people have written or posted their
comments to a known source; again, this
is a good example of the popularity of skateparks.
According to www.spausa.com,
skateparks are the number one choice for
teens when polled by local park and recreation
departments. The Skate Park Association
of the United States of America has also
stated the same fact, adding: “…In
this age bracket, (6-18 years old), skateboarding
is the third most popular sport in the nation.”
Surveys report that there are an estimated
50 to 100 users at any park, at anytime,
during any day compared to other athletic
facilities which lay dormant most of the
time. Sources add that the good traffic
yields less danger in other areas in the
park. More eyes on the street help for a
less dangerous atmosphere.
With such a young population utilizing
skate facilities, it makes sense that by
providing additional facilities, communities
can provide safe places for users to go
and take part in constructive activities.
There are approximately 1800 skateparks
in the United States; seven states have
less than ten skateparks for the entire
state, while California has 200 skateparks
in the state.
In 2002,
www.skateboard.com/frontside/getlocal/parks/
had published the number of skateparks per
state.
According to skateboard.com, Massachusetts
contains 105 skateparks. Based on the population
of skaters in the area, it means that there
is one park for 11,543 kids between the
ages of 6-18. In Illinois, there are 115
skateparks, or one park for 20,622 kids.
California has the largest number of skateparks
with 200, which accommodates for 32,775
users per park.
States with a smaller amount of skateparks
also have large amounts of users such as
Oregon with 17 skateparks, and 38,814 users
per park. Mississippi has 44 parks, and
41,771 users per park. South Carolina has
14 parks and 55,141 users per park. Finally,
Louisiana only has 8 parks in the entire
state, yet has 106,054 users per park.
As you can see from the table to the right,
even those states with the smaller numbers
of skateparks have an enormous number of
users when comparing them to states with
a large amount of skateparks, (skateboard.com).
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