Burien’s new skate park was built along busy Fourth Avenue, giving passersby a taste of the skateboard action.

In 1997, the city of Burien received a community block grant to improve the grounds at Burien Community Center. At the same time, an informal group of area youths started petitioning the city council to build a skate park. After mulling over the request, the city two years later decided to combine the two projects, resulting in a new skate park within the improved community center grounds.

Over 140 community supporters and skaters participated in the design process, fundraising and approval of the final design. Emphasis was placed on creating a pleasing transition from Fourth Avenue, a heavy traveled corridor for both cars and pedestrians, and the park.

The 7,500-square-foot skate park features ramps, grinding rails, transitions, hips, curbs, steps, a pyramid and a bowl. A local artists worked with youth to design art tiles, which were inlaid into the concrete at both the entrance to the community park as well as the entrance to the skate park.

Concrete was selected for the skate park because of its long-term benefits over wood, fiberglass and plastics. At $25 a square foot, concrete was more expensive to use up-front, but is expected to last at least three times as long.