Description

After designing and assisting on the build of the Iraq’s first skatepark in 2018 we’ve done the same for the capital, Baghdad. During a second trip to Iraq to extend the skatepark in Sulaymaniah, Kurdistan initial conversations were held about this skatepark. Now 6 years later its come to fruition thanks to the help of locals, Make Life Skate Life, volunteers builders and donors.

The Baghdad Skatepark (approx 540m2) was been designed in collaboration with the local community. It is a space for all whether its the young female who is just starting, established skateboarders, socialising youth to supportive parents. With an emphasis on street as nominated by the locals, the skatepark has been designed to include an array of elements, applying the ‘less is more’ philosophy. It has a focus on street elements as directed by the local skate community. This approach ensures no extremely advanced elements but instead ones that encourage participation, offer progression and maintains interest for the more advanced users. These include numerous traditional elements (i.e. ledge, rails, banks, transition) amongst others, acknowledging that its the FIRST SKATEPARK in the capital! Importantly the layout has been designed to encourage flow through the space and alternatively the ability to function as separate spaces with ample open space. This latter consideration will ensure the smooth and safe delivery of workshops. It includes local identity in the space through the inclusion of a the ‘magic carpet, which will be painted by the locals once the concrete has properly cured.  Additional future works will include refuge areas with seating, picnic tables and barbeque to encourage a wider demographic i.e. families.

Construction was delivered over 3 weeks thanks to a team of 6 international volunteers and importantly 2 Iraqi’s. The latter crew (Dyar and Bahroz) were from Iraq – Kurdistan, where we collectively built the park in their home city Sulaymaniah. Although we have the skills required alone to the deliver the park we always strive for local support whether it was Murtaza and his JCB, the crew that kept replacing the broken down power trowels on a daily basis to the guards who despite initial trepidation on why a bunch of westerners were arriving with tools to soon greeting us with words of support and offers of breakfast. Collectively it results in the rewarding outcomes of meeting more locals. The build faced the expected trials and tribulations when building in such a foreign environment, whether it was the 12m3 of concrete that more closely resembled soup, the traditional power/water cuts to a snap 3 day religious holiday where everything was on hold amongst a few more speed humps. The former did allow a trip back in the full concrete truck to the plant on the capitals outskirts for a test pour and approval before proceeding. As always unique situations that you wouldn’t face at home are often encountered and savored on a near daily occurrence. As for the forced holiday we took it all in our stride and utilised the downtown to be tourists (amongst the only in the country) and when we could we worked… Long days coupled with plenty of laughs, fist bumps and well experienced hands of a solid crew ensured we got the park open whilst we were all still in the country. Not a feat that always accomplished nor expected in such a short time frame by the surprised locals!

The opening was well attended with many waiting years for the skatepark to become reality. Its not easier skating on the streets of Baghdad where smooth surfaces and consistent only marginally existent. With numerous opportunities for progression within the park looking forward to seeing first time users swiftly up-skill to the more experienced and their more technical tricks they’ll deliver. Starting from a blank open piece of land, Baghdad now has a world class skatepark!

A country and city that offers apprehensive to most, for us opened up with the typical Islam hospitality to leave us with positive stories to share back home.

For some tourist images of the trip, check my photography website Sevenbythree