StraightFromTheHip

A professionally-designed, community-specific skatepark environment reflects the training and experience of the architect. On the flip side, improperly-built facilities that soon require rebuilding, may have poor drainage that leaves water pooling, dangerous traffic patterns or “flow lines” that can cause serious accidents or not provide enough challenge, and other short range planning that increases maintenance costs in the future are just some of the problems that stem from inexperienced design work and construction.

The art and sport of riding skateparks and its myriad subtleties developed through the years is the core understanding that must be incorporated into every design decision. Therefore, your facility cannot, and should not, be approached simply as a common exercise in landscape architecture. Nor can it be looked upon simply as a major construction project. Your skatepark architect, much like a composer, must blend a variety of disciplines into a worthwhile and unique project. This is the point at which skatepark architecture moves from just placing riding elements haphazardly to both a profession and art.

Facilitate Project Work Across a Variety of Areas

Only through a thorough knowledge of riding can the architect develop a true understanding of strategy, developing a vision, riding value, limitations of riders and equipment and realistic design possibilities. Today’s skatepark design teams must also have the training and experience to coordinate work in other areas.

• SKATEBOARDING/ACTION SPORTS CULTURE - To truly know the potential flow lines in a skatepark facility that enable safe intersections and opportunity for riders of all skill levels and riding disciplines to be adequately challenged and grow takes years of wheels-on experience.

• COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT - All skateparks require the designer to act as translator, striking the balance between the various and often very different local wants and needs, knowing how to make compromises and being decisive are key factors.

• LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE - Only the most competent skatepark sculptors can design courses that are compatible with, and that feature and preserve the natural landscape.

• CIVIL ENGINEERING - Knowledge of surveying, how to operate a transit and level, aerial photography and topographic maps is basic to planning the routing of the skatepark.

• HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING - Design of irrigation systems demands understanding of hydraulics, pumps, piping systems, etc.

• CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS - Highly detailed plans and specifications covering all phases of construction including clearing, excavation of ponds or lakes, grading, irrigation installation, planting of grass and trees, and early maintenance must be prepared.

• COST ESTIMATING - The preparation of plans and specifications makes it possible to present realistic budgets so that adequate funding can be procured.

• GENERAL AND SPECIALTY CONSTRUCTION - The considerable earth moving necessary to build a skatepark requires an understanding of heavy equipment and its capabilities and a depth of experience in specialty shotcrete placement and finishing required for riding performance.

Since skatepark design is such a specialized field, with each new project requiring solutions for specific problems of community wants and needs, earth moving, drainage, use of durable and unique materials and ecological considerations, fees for professional service are at relatively higher levels than those which might be applicable for standard architectural or engineering work.