Downside
DIY

Downside DIY is an outdoor, undercover skatepark built in 2022 on the site of a derelict piece of land under a flyover in Tottenham N17. The derelict site was filthy, dangerous and used for prostitution, rubbish dumping and a toilet. Local skaters started attending the site weekly to clear the debris, sweep it regularly and skate. Over the last three years a user group formed and the skate park took shape. A group of 30 local skaters worked tirelessly to convert a neglected, dangerous space into a bona fide skatepark.

We have upgraded and maintained the space and designed and built obstacles from scratch, liaising with planners and builders from Betongpark to ensure the work is to a high standard. We’ve also been working hard to create a space that is safe, accessible and welcoming to all, targeting particular groups to ensure inclusion, such as children and LGBTQIA+ skaters. Skateboard GB-certified coaches have been brought in to give lessons, and building workshops have been organised to share skills.

A grassroots project led by local residents, Downside DIY was created out of a need by locals who were desperate for a place to skate in all weathers. Skateboarding meets at the intersection between sport, culture and community. It improves physical fitness and mental wellbeing. The lack of access to an all-weather skatepark during the long winter months can have a significantly detrimental impact on health and wellbeing. Downside DIY has already played a critical role in improving health outcomes for local residents, particularly men.

As a cultural and community space, a DIY skatepark empowers users, leverages local skills, creativity, and volunteerism. This approach reduces costs, strengthens community bonds, and results in a space designed by and for the people who will use it.

With Downside DIY sitting alongside two other DIY skateparks in Haringey (Markfield Park and Lordship Rec), Haringey is becoming a destination spot for DIY skateboarding. And there is nothing that says ‘rebel borough’ more than the DIY aesthetic. Oskar Galewicz’s Masters thesis, “Do It Yourself or Do It Together? Emergence of Participatory Culture through Co-creating interactive DIY skateboarding spaces,” explores how interaction design can foster engagement and expression within the skateboarding community through DIY projects. One challenge identified by the thesis includes the lack of dialogue with local authorities, so this proposal clearly serves to meet and overcome this key challenge.

The study involved 28 skateboarders in Oslo who participated in designing and creating an interactive skateboarding obstacle. The methodology used was Research through Design (RtD), focusing on how the design process can unfold and allow participants to combine skateboarding with interactivity.

The thesis highlights the importance of participatory culture in skateboarding, where skaters engage in creating their own spaces and share their creative potential. The findings revealed that skateboarders are motivated by the joy of creating, learning new skills, and the desire to inspire others.

The study concludes that fostering DIY activities and involving skateboarders in urban planning can enhance their engagement and contribute to a more vibrant and inclusive urban environment. Future work includes further development of interactive skateboarding obstacles and exploring new ways to support participation through technology.