Jan '06
Words by Mike Hume, Pics by Alexis Von Irvitrater.....
Overview of the Park from the pocket
Kemnay Skate Park makes up the third point on Aberdeenshire's concrete skate park triangle. Possibly the most varied in terms of obstacles and arguably the best of the bunch. Designed by the crooked hand of Andy Dobson; and built with a frugal attention to detail that only he has.
Saying it was cheep, only cheapens the place itself because, for how relatively little it did cost, it is still great fun to skate. Long flowing transitions and three perfect flat driveways and banks; make it perfect for any beginner and local rippers alike. No one in their right mind would shake a stick at the two hubba ledges ether. Even if they do somewhat confuse themselves; meaning that the low one is in fact higher than the big one is??? Just one of many unique eccentricities this park has.
<< Colin Kennedy double banger in the uphill pocket, front 5-0 and a 5-0 fakies, not as easy as you might think... broon breeks? ah doout!
Far better examples of its quirkiness are; the pump-bump tit like thing (the nip, the zit), which appears at first sight to be utterly pointless, that is, until you work out that you can generate vast amounts of speed from its ample bosom. And there's 'The Pocket' that is so tight you can come out twice as fast as you go in."Weeeeee!" It's like the worlds best rollercoaster's, fast enough to make you cry and soil yourself but still controlled
enough to make you come back for a second filling.
As a cost comparison, the rectangular bowl with its full width spine, cost about the same money as the 'Rhino Ramp' piece of over-designed crud that snaked up pride of place in the Westhill's Park. You tell me what you'd rather have; a four foot high Skatelite mini or a flawlessly towelled five and a bit foot concrete bowl, with spine and a roll-over/gap?
I think I'm making my own views glaringly obvious.
Sadly on the negative side of its individuality; Kemnay Park does have some problems. One being the abundance of mud and wheel-jam sized stones dotted all the way around the park, that seem to encroach ever further in, with every kid on his mountain bike riding through it in the wet. The mud dries, turns to dust, and you end up on your arse, more times than you'd care to admit to. This is a problem most outdoor concrete parks have to deal with, but here, with its extra slim perimeter, make it infuriating. Dustpan and brush often necessary!
With Kemnay being a small North East town, like many others, it's ruled by big eared farmers and you can tell immediately. The park has itself a tiny wee bit of parking spots; enough for about four cars and because of this, people tend to park along the roadside when it's full.
Callum Barrack, Crisnail and I >>
Where, the farmers drive past in their gargantuan tractors and get royally pissed off because they cannot pass safely, resulting in redder than normal face's all round. So if you've parked there, you are in the wrong! Stupid! And more times than not, the predominant reason for their regular complaints.
For your benefit, the parks and your cars paintwork, use the larger car park about a hundred yards up from the park. There really is no excuse.
The worst of all the problems is the inevitable gathering of water, which in this case, was designed to not happen. Nobody is at fault for this, it just happens when no one wants to ruin a good spirit level in wet concrete and build a skate park in the summer (like any sane person would). This park is not floodlit at the moment, so winter sessions are still very rare but, I keep on hearing rumours about the possibility. So fingers crossed and all that.
<< Div the Mad Ginger,Park Murdering, Nutbar. Knobbly Knee'd Super Tweak.
Click image to Supersize.
All in all, and negatives aside, Kemnay Skate Park is a shinning example of what great minds can come up with on a tight budget, if they, the locals, the builders and its intended user group all work off the same page. And with the added pressure of a large squad
of kids who all "Want!" at the same time, you get what you see in the pictures before you.
I hope to catch up with all y'all when the weather permits.
Div, Very Backside Flip...Magic Tree Fresh >>
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Spot Check: Kemnay Skatepark, Aberdeenshire
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