Sk8er Brah

We found this picture of the "bowl" in House Park Skate Park being built on Google.





We chose the House Park Skate Park because we did not want to choose a "typical" Austin spot like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, or the Capital, but a more urban and unknown place that makes Austin, Austin. Unlike many other cities, it is legal to skateboard in Austin in some areas. This man-made home for skateboarders and BMX riders is open and public for all types or riders, new and experienced. It is easily accessed because it is in the heart of Austin located by Whole Foods, Amy's Ice Cream, and House Park Stadium. While at the skate park we noticed the skaters were ages 10-26, and all male. Although, there were a couple of girls sitting quietly to the side admiring potential boyfriends. As we were walking through the skate park, we picked up on the smell of marijuana and cigarettes.

The skate park has many different elements from skate ramps, rails, stairs, bowls, half pipes , and other jumps. This makes is frinedly to not only skaters, but bikers as well.
Despite the common stereotype that skaters are rebellious, they do not mean any harm. They skate for fun and for the friendships they make at the park. The first skater we interviewed said that he would rather skate in a park over skating in an urban area because "of the fact that you could gets tickets and possibly go to jail or whatever, but as far as the fact as it being a breaking the law type thing, I can see that's why people would want to skate in the street. It's like when your parents tell you not to do something and you go do it because you are just being kids, but when you get older and get tickets, that makes you want to stick to the skate park.'' You would think being a new skater would be intimidating, but it's rather a very welcoming ans accepting environment as we learned from Lil Mike, whose nick name was given to him from the older skaters.
PHOTO CREDIT: KATIE OSTRANDER
In an interview Lil Mike told said, "I feel very comfortable here and I would most definitely ask one of the older guys for help when learning a new trick. They want the best for everyone." Lil Mike started skating when he was about 10 and he goes to the skate park every day from 4-7.


The skate park is just an example of how Austinites "Keep Ausitn Weird." Austin is unique because as a city it is willing to provide 27,000 square feet only for skaters to enjoy, The location is very convenient because after skaters are done, they can grab a quick sandwich at Thundercloud or pick of their girlfriends a nice pair of jeans from Hem, or an athletic outfit from Betty Sport. These shops close to the skate park can fulfill your desires whether you want to be sporty or chic.
PHOTO CREDIT: THE SKATER IN THE BLUE SHIRT
The guy's shirt says "Gnarbro" but it is replacing Marlboro, which is cigarette brand. This goes along with the common association of skaters with drugs or smoking. It also incorporates skater slang with the words "gnarly" and "bro."