Key elements and recommendations for the integration of parkour in 1
This document is based on a collection of recommendations compiled by the Australian Parkour Association and New Zealand Parkour - Tauhōkai Aotearoa (NZ Parkour) in consultation with local and international parkour practitioners and instructors. It is intended for use as a guide for designers, architects, developers, artists, community advisors, youth workers, local government and other stakeholders involved in the development of built environment and parkland. The recommendations and design elements outlined in this document, although developed with parkour in mind, have widespread community benefits in that they encourage movement, self-discovery, exploration, play and fitness. NZ Parkour representatives are available for consultation on all elements of design and construction in relation to the safe and creative practice of parkour. NZ Parkour is also available for introductory workshops, demonstrations and/or ongoing training for stakeholders involved in new developments. Please feel free to contact your nearest NZ Parkour representative to discuss your project. To contact the development team, email contact@nzparkour.co.nz We wish you all the best with your project! Damien Puddle - Managing Director 2
Table of Contents Introduction... 5 Site and Design... 6 Site Selection... Existing sites... New sites... What to look for... Amenities... Site Specific... Site and Design (Continued)... 7 Non-Liner and Non-Modular... Aesthetics... Construction and Materials... 8 Structurally Sound... Local Materials... Mixed Materials... Appropriate Materials... Construction and Materials (Continued)... 9 Cost Effective... Environment... 10 Low CO2 Footprint... Recycled Materials... Natural Materials... 3
Table of Contents [cont'd] Function... 11 Safety... Balance of safety and function... Soft fall... Signage... Shade and water... Multi-Purpose... Function (Continued)... 12 Movement... Teaching... Core techniques... Group size... Training... Community Opportunities... 13 Multi-Use... Training... Health and Activity... Youth Engagement and Development... Local Artists... Community Involvement... Community Opportunities (Continued)... 14 Events... Last updated 10/02/2014 4
Introduction Definition: Parkour is a training method of overcoming physical obstacles efficiently and effectively. Parkour practitioners discover these obstacles by exploring their environment. These obstacles may be found in urban or natural environments, high or low and in any shape, form or texture. It is up to the practitioner to decide what a suitable obstacle is and how best to navigate it. By this notion, the creation or inclusion of new obstacles and training sites is not a necessary endeavour and in some cases may limit the exploration and creativity that is vital for parkour practitioners to engage in. The New Zealand Parkour Association strongly advocates discussion between parkour practitioners, local government, property owners and the public to ensure the safe, effective portrayal and practice of parkour within existing public spaces. Communication and collaboration to allow the continual use of public space for parkour training should always be first on a stakeholders list. However, the creation and adaptation of sites and obstacles may have many benefits to the local and national parkour community as well as other user groups and the public. While parkour readily attracts younger audiences, the information above clearly shows that parkour is not limited to a youth activity but a pursuit that is available to all and should be treated as such. All of these things should be kept in mind when reading this document. 5
Site and Design Site Selection Existing sites: In nearly every city there are spaces that are already being used for parkour practice. In these spaces it may be possible to simply modify existing structures to increase their suitability for use. In some cases little to no modification would be required. New sites: In parkland, suitable sites for parkour practice will have existing features such as rocks, trees, garden edging etc., that can be incorporated into the overall design of the park. If existing features are minimal, it may be necessary to build from scratch. In urban environments it may be possible to activate underused or misused spaces by modifying their existing features and promoting movement and play within. What to look for: Parkour can thrive in the simplest of spaces, as it is the creativity of the practitioner that makes the features of a space come to life and provide challenges and opportunities for movement. Most practitioners will agree however, that the best space is one that provides a density of obstacles with a range of shape and texture at differing heights, distances and angles. Amenities: Ideally, the site would be near to public transport, public toilets and drinking fountains. Site Specific Design of structures should be sensitive to the surrounding landscape and work in harmony with existing features, both natural and manmade. Where applicable, employ culturally sensitive design and artistry techniques to raise public awareness of the historical and cultural significance of the site. 6
Site and Design (Cont'd) Non-Linear and Non-Modular Each site should have its own unique feel. Not only from an aesthetic perspective, but also to challenge and inspire the users of the site to move and interact in different ways with each other and the structures. Modular design has the potential to reduce the scope for creative vision and interpretive movement. Aesthetics The outward appearance of the site will be a determining factor in community engagement with the site. A site that looks like a parkour training facility will only attract a certain cross section of the population. A site that is aesthetically engaging, structurally inviting and open to creative interpretation by its users will appeal to a wider audience. This widening of scope will promote interaction between different groups of people and hopefully expose more people to the benefits of movement and play. 7
Construction and Materials Structurally Sound Materials, fixings, surfaces and features should be carefully selected to withstand the forces involved in parkour practice. Not only will this increase the overall safety of the construction, but it will also keep ongoing maintenance costs to a minimum. Local Materials Where possible, source materials locally to cut down on transport time, costs and carbon footprint. This practice also serves to boost local economies and small businesses. Mixed Materials Choose a variety of materials to allow for changing textural experience throughout the site, to help users develop applicable sensitivity to all environments. Appropriate Materials Materials should not only be chosen for their ability to withstand but also to enhance training/playing. Part of this will involve understanding how grip will be affected by climate and wear and tear and how temperature will affect usercomfort and safety (rails exposed to sun etc.). 8
Construction and Materials (cont'd} Cost Effective Because parkour is a practice of adapting to one s existing environment, in many cases minimal construction will be needed. By making small modifications to existing sites and structures, many of the safety, durability and creativity requirements for a parkour training site would be easily met. Parkour practitioners are in their element when training on the most widely available natural and manmade materials. From concrete blocks to metal rails, boulders and wooden planks, trees and brickwork, the palette of perfect materials can be sourced cheaply and competitively. There is no need to purchase fancy, purpose-moulded plastics or pre-fabricated parkour kits at premium prices. 9
Environment Low CO 2 Footprint The construction of these sites could be used to both explore and promote the intelligent use of low CO2 materials and practices to create multi-use public spaces. Recycled Materials In keeping with parkour s connection to existing environments, it makes sense to use existing materials to create parkour spaces. What might originally be seen as waste (off-cuts of railings; misshapen concrete blocks; railway sleepers; bent girders and beams...) could all be used to create aesthetically engaging, challenging and creative play spaces. Natural Materials Using natural materials such as boulders, logs, timber, existing trees and grass simultaneously adds some organic aesthetics to the design whilst removing the need for extensive, carbon-hungry fabrication processes. 10
Function Safety Balance of safety and function: The construction must offer a base level of safety, wherein accidental injury is kept to a minimum through intelligent design. However, if a site is safe to the point that risk is eliminated altogether, the users will lose the opportunity to develop their own risk assessment and management skills. Consider building to skate park standards, or making clever use of landscape architecture elements before constricting movement possibilities with playground codes. Soft fall: Soft fall zones should be used where absolutely necessary, however it should be noted that soft fall compounds can also add their own dangers to a space. Mulch, gravel and woodchip all have the potential to create dust and debris that can lead to slips and falls on smooth surfaces. Rubberised soft fall matting can become slippery in wet conditions and can also lead to miss-step accidents when transitioning between solid flooring and the spongy texture of the soft fall. Signage: Signage and information plaques can be used to describe and promote safe movement and awareness of risk. Shade and water: Where possible, sun safety should be taken into account, using the shade of existing trees or structures, or adding sails. Drinking water should also be easily accessible on or near the site. Multi-Purpose The structures and sites should be accessible by and inclusive of many different user groups, for recreational, social, training, teaching and eventbased use. 11
The creation of multi-purpose features will increase the total usage of the new/adapted elements and increase the interaction between user groups. Function [cont'd] Movement The design must promote movement on a variety of levels. Obstacles should be placed so that movement can flow freely between, over, under and around them, yet still provide challenges of density and distance for all levels of play, training and practice. Teaching Core techniques: The site should be designed such that foundational parkour techniques, including safe landing techniques, impact minimisation techniques, fundamental strength building exercises and obstacle passement, are able to be taught and practiced effectively. Group size: Depending on the population of the surrounding areas and the proximity and number of other possible training sites, the site should accommodate a reasonable group size to allow for effective teaching. Training From the perspective of parkour training, sites should allow for technical progression by offering a range of challenges to practitioners of any level. In most cases these challenges will be discovered by the practitioners themselves in the way they approach the space, or by their instructors in teaching sessions. Resorting to modular constructions where movement is prescribed through design can diminish the variety of challenges. 12
Community Opportunities Multi-Use A well designed site will not only attract parkour practitioners, but will also be suited to people of all ages, races, genders and abilities as a space to explore movement, interact socially, culturally and creatively. The practice of parkour requires no special equipment other than the space it inhabits, so there are no barriers to engagement based on one s socioeconomic status. Health and Activity Parkour promotes a culture of health and fitness through movement and exploration of the body s natural abilities. By creating spaces where people are exposed to the practice of parkour we can open up new avenues to inspire people into action and health. Youth Engagement and Development Parkour easily attracts practitioners between the ages of 12 and 25, and as such, parkour has a strong connection to the youth sector. Parkour has been used internationally and in New Zealand as a tool for youth development, working successfully with under-engaged, at-risk and sedentary youth populations and achieving positive outcomes for all. Local Artists The undertaking of new construction and development in parks and urban spaces opens up a forum and potential canvas for local artists to gain exposure through collaborative work on these community oriented projects. 13
Community Opportunities [cont'd] Community Involvement Where possible, the involvement of the wider community should be considered in the preparation and construction. A project with local buy-in will install a sense of ownership and pride and is likely to increase the usage of the space. Events Parkour-friendly spaces bring with them the potential to accommodate organised events and activities at local, national and international levels. Local Parkour communities will likely use these spaces as meeting, training and socialising hubs. The New Zealand Parkour Association organises local and national in which practitioners travel to New Zealand cities from other regions and overseas to share in training, teaching and play. These events, whether weekly local gatherings or full scale National Gatherings, will not only help to activate the spaces in which they are held, but will also feed back into local commerce. Regular local events will undoubtedly see a rise in the patronage of nearby food, drink, and entertainment outlets. Full scale national events will draw on goods and services from food and drink to accommodation; equipment hire and entertainment services; transportation and security. 14