The City of Durham is currently building a skateboard park that is designed to be accessible in Durham Central Park, located in our city’s urban core.  The success of this park is collaboration between citizens, various city departments, the designer, the contractor and a nonprofit entity, Durham Central Park, Inc.  

The City of Durham Parks and Recreation Department held an initial community meeting to discuss the option of building a skateboard park.  More than seventy-five (75) citizens attended a strategy session to support and to participate in designing elements they desired in a skate park. The General Services Department Project Management team worked closely with our park consultant/designer to provide access to various levels of the skate park and create accessible elements.  The Public Works Department is supporting the development of the park by improving the public thoroughfares surrounding the site (crosswalks, sidewalks and curb ramps). 

This case study was submitted to the Alliance for Innovation for consideration at the 2010 Transforming Local Government conference.