
LEGACY OF PARISITE
In 2009, a group of young skateboarders, seeking an alternative to skating on the city's uneven streets, used found materials to create a makeshift skatepark on vacant land near the intersection of New Orleans' Interstate 610 and Paris Avenue. When the popular park was demolished by the property owners in 2012, the skateboarders decided to move to an adjacent site beneath the interstate overpass and began to rebuild. They formed an organization called Transitional Spaces and reached out to the Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative Design at the Tulane University School of Architecture for help designing and building a replacement park and navigating the process of working with the city.
In 2014, the Small Center's staff, faculty, and students collaborated with the skaters, public agencies, a structural engineer, and a landscape architect to help realize the new skatepark. Two 14-week design/build studios led to the development of a phased master plan and construction of one phase of the park, an urban landscape that features surfaces and elements desirable for skaters and non-skaters, alike.


The design includes a landscaped edge to manage storm water runoff. After extensive negotiations, an agreement with the City of New Orleans reactivated the site as an official city park, to be managed and maintained by the skaters.
Officially opened in 2015 with a ceremonial 40 foot "Reuben cutting" by Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Parisite Skatepark includes a defined entrance at Paris and Pleasure Streets, landscaping, and colorful artwork spanning the highway superstructure above it. An accessible ramp leads to a viewing platform and seating area that overlooks the park.
Program
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The next stage in the evolution of the site encourages the community to express themselves outside of skating, through an event space and culinary education space. The expansion plans to clean-up and reorganize the adjacent space under the overpass and provide a usable space for the community. The current site conditions are prime for expansion and the design requires minimal construction. Building off of previous phases of design, the new space will consider stormwater management and site/skate accessibility.

RENOVATION + RENEWAL
Parisite skatepark is currently composed of one block's worth of skate space, with both permanent and temporary skate-able elements. Upon speaking to community members and skaters on-site, it became clear that there is a need for further development of space to encourage further expression of art and music, and to allow for rest and relaxation adjacent to the park. In order to maintain Parisite's community outreach goals, this proposed space will be used for music events, supporting local small businesses, and further promote Parisite as a safe place of gathering, art, and recreation.
The new extension will consist of several zones: a 'hang-out spot," an entertainment zone, a cantina, and a new entrance featuring a potential mural or skate-able sculptures. The proposal will further develop the inclusive spaces within Parisite, and continue to foster a safe space for women, children, and people of all backgrounds.

Research

Extension Site

Master plan
Call outs - New Spaces

Master plan
Call outs - Skateable Zones

Phasing

Future Expansion
Next Steps

additional considerations
