Design 2017/ Build 2019-2020
Location: Under the I-64 Bridge, Water Street, New Albany, IN
Hunger Skateparks and the New Albany Carnegie Center for Art and History worked together to beautify and renovate the New Albany Skatepark. The old skatepark was in deep disrepair, making it a perfect opportunity for creative ideas and solutions. The site is located on the Ohio River walk and near the large pavilion.
The design process for this park mimicked community public art processes combined with skatepark design standards. Inspiration for the park theme and design came from an all call for sculpture submissions from skateboarders, riders, and general community members gathered over a period of 2 months of community meetings and online discussions. Most submissions were made by New Albany area people who wouldn’t identify themselves as artists. There was only one ‘artist’ that submitted an idea, the rest of the submissions were rough sketches, clay models, verbal descriptions, and any method that got their ideas across.
A theme was never intended or proposed, but the majority of the submissions contained ideas related to the Ohio River as a powerful entity that has supported many cultures, and the history of New Albany as a city. After considering community ideas, our design team developed the 14,100 sq. ft. Flow Park featuring elements that give respect to native peoples most specifically the pyramid and mound builders , river culture and the birth of the city, bridge architecture, river monsters and myths, the valleys and hills of the river valley, and a rainbow arch that references the underground railroad and hope for the future. The park design includes integrated color, color staining and scoring, custom stamping, mosaic inlays, and intricate steel fabrication from local master craftsman Rockerbuilt Studio.
The old park:
Concepts for the renovation and beautification of the skatepark site:
Build Pictures
