Topaz Park: Skate and Bike Parks

Topaz Skate and Bike Parks are Open!

The new all-wheels skate and bike parks in Topaz Park opened with a community celebration in August 2022.

The new 6,000 square metre bike park and 3,000 square metre all-wheels skatepark were designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind, with input from technical experts and people with lived experience, including athletes. The surfaces and access points, lighting, and furnishings are all designed to support safe use by visitors of all ages and abilities.

Contractor New Line Skateparks, a world leader in skate and bike park design and construction, collaborated with artist Germaine Koh to include interactive sculptures throughout the skatepark. The sculptures are inspired by native plants that celebrate energy flows around the site from human movement, natural forces and urban systems.

The skatepark has the largest skate bowl on lower Vancouver Island and can support hosting events and competitions.

About the Project

The City of Victoria worked with a team of consultants to design and build a new skateboard/all-wheels park and bike skills park in Topaz Park.

The final design is available to view.

This project is part of the first phase of renovations to Topaz Park that are guided by the Topaz Park Improvement Plan, which was adopted by Council in 2018 following a year of public engagement with the community.

The new skatepark offers a space that is inviting and suitable for all skill levels and riders, with a beginner’s area where people can safely learn and advanced areas for more experienced riders. The new bike park provides a fun and challenging riding experience for all skill levels with a series of paved pump tracks and other features.

Features

• The new park area includes a 6,000 square metre bike park with an asphalt pump track, a 3,000 square metre all-wheels skatepark with street and flow zones, and the largest skate bowl in Greater Victoria
• The bike and skate parks have beginner and advanced areas for all skill levels
• The new park areas include artwork by artist Germaine Koh in the form of interactive sculptures inspired by native plants that celebrate energy flows around the site from human movement, natural forces and urban systems
• The landscaping includes new and retained trees in the park with shared pathways, social spaces and a sustainable approach to stormwater management

What We Engaged On

This project builds on extensive community engagement completed through the Topaz Park Improvement Plan process and input from the skateboarding and biking community. This feedback played an important role in creating the designs for the skate and bike parks.

Throughout the design phase of this project, the project team worked closely with an advisory committee of local skate and bike community leaders to help make important decisions about skill level, features and terrain.

How We Got Here

In 2017-18, the City of Victoria worked with the community to create the Topaz Park Improvement Plan. This long-term plan will guide improvements to Topaz Park over 10 years, including renovating existing park infrastructure, adding new types of amenities and updating the park to support broad community use.

The Topaz Park Improvement Plan was approved by Council in 2018. In 2021-22, the City is investing nearly $10 million to construct the skateboard park and bike park and replace the artificial turf sports field as part of the long-term renewal plan for the park.

To learn more about the Topaz Park Improvement Plan visit: Topaz Park | Victoria

The level of public participation for this project: Consult.

Closing the Loop

Thank you to everyone who had their say on the Topaz Skate and Bike Parks project. A total of 471 people completed the online survey about the proposed designs for the new parks areas.

View the engagement summary report.