Waterloo - Waterloo City Council has voted to limit skateboarding at Waterloo Public Square to specific times and programming that will be designated by the City.

This decision comes at the end of a three week pilot project that included creating a defined skateboarding area and enlisting youth mentors to supervise the activities, instruct participants on safe skateboarding skills and monitor users’ adherence to the city’s regulations.

Following the opening of the Waterloo Public Square at the end of May, concerns were raised about the use of the space by skateboarders. In response, staff implemented the pilot project and have been monitoring the use of the Square since that time.

“The pilot program has succeeded in many areas,” says David Smith, general manager of recreation and leisure services. “During this time, there has been engagement of our youth, we’ve dialogue about what makes a Public Square successful, there has been increased citizen engagement, and there’s been a noticeable shift away from the stigma of skateboarding to an acceptance of the activity.”

Staff will now review options to incorporate designated skateboard activities and programs into the existing calendar of events as well as to develop a plan for enforcement during hours when skateboarding will not be permitted.

In addition to voting to limit skateboarding, Council also requested that staff report back on August 24 regarding plans to develop a skateboard park in Waterloo as well as with a strategy for the ice rink feature that has been roughed in as part of the Square but is not currently funded.