 Spot Check: Bridge of Don
Bridge of Don skatepark (the big bad Bod) is one of the newest spots in town, it was finished late 2005 but lay unskated until the sun showed its face again and was officially opened on the 24 th of June. Fair enough, the layout isn’t perfect and it cost far too much for what they’ve got but its here so lets skate it. I think the place is sick. There’s quite often a lot of neds but just remember that the majority of Bridge of Don neds are privileged wannabes with i-pod nanos and designer tracksuits who pose no threat.
To get to the park just head for the Bridge of Don community education centre (on the bus route). There’s nearby parking at the centre and the ramps are just a short walk over the park. As well as this it is skateable 24 hours a day as it is equipped with floodlights.
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The park looks a bit like the ramps were randomly dropped from the sky as the layout is slightly erratic but don’t let that discourage you, with a bit of imagination and a stiff brush there are plenty of opportunities for lines and bangers. The obstacles are pretty non-threatening, i.e. nothing over 5 foot, meaning that you can try all kinds of different stuff without feeling the need to mess yourself. The park is also usually pretty quiet so its possible to get a good session going without having to worry about getting mowed down by a biker or having to tell hoards of emotional rockers to get the hell off the ledge!
As for the layout the park itself is pretty street based which will suit most. At the furthest side is a double storey flatbank which sits at a nice angle allowing for all sorts of tech madness.
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On the 1 st floor of the banks is a meaty ledge which runs the length of the deck and stops half way up the second bank. This, at first, looks ridiculous but is one of the most fun parts for launch to grinds, stalls, tricks in to the bank etc. It also splits the top bank meaning you can transfer across it which is a lovely touch. On the far right and left hand side of the lower bank are a couple of 6 sets with handrails.
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The run up to the stairs is a bit sketchy but there’s not a lot to moan at, saying that, these are the “streetiest” obstacles in the park so get your shred on...I’m too scared. The rails are below regulation handrail height but their mellow and totally skateable. If you’re feeling especially extreme you could take them from the other side of the stairs which probably adds an extra foot into the equation, have it your way.
Al-Driveway Ollie
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The centrepiece includes a decent sized driveway attached to a weird bank-to flat-to step down gap thing which is pretty fun. Running down the opposite side to the driveway is a bank-to curb thing which is pretty original and fun to skate once you suss out how much speed to take and how to avoid the 4 foot spine which has been placed right next to it for your inconvenience...don’t ask. Beyond the centrepiece is a small transitioned hip which I think looks like the front of a snowplough. Its around 4 foot and pretty mellow, there’s also the token weed leaf sprayed on one of the sides which no ghetto council skatepark could go without. The whole layout links well, except for the spine and this other ledge which I honestly don’t think anyone will ever skate, you’ll know what I mean when you see it. As if all that isn’t enough, the park’s only a stones throw from the classic Deen spot, the Tits which don’t seem to get the attention they deserve these days.
With that in mind I suggest that we should consider the BOD when deciding where to skate on a sunny Aberdeen day because, lets face it, until this Transition park is done we haven’t got a great deal of choice. |
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Photography:
Thanks to 