NOTE: Framingham Matters editor suggests the skatepark design to include a "skate path" that loops back.
The Ponderosa skatepark in Bend, Oregon, consists of an approximately 8,000 square foot main park and 4,000 square foot skatepath and features a variety of street and transition opportunities including quarter- and half-pipes, stairs, rails and ledges. The final design was based on public input, site opportunities and constraints and budget.
“The park elements provide something fun and challenging for skaters of all levels and interests,” said Matt Mercer, Director of Recreation. “It was a goal for the park to be inviting to the entire skateboarding community regardless of skill level.”
To help users skate safely, the district has set forth use rules and guidelines including encouraging users to wear protective equipment, such as helmets and elbow pads, as well as to practice control and keep the surface clean.
Free-style BMX bike and scooter riders may use the skatepark on a trial basis. “When conflicts with skateboarders are likely, such as during high use, bike and scooter riders are encouraged to use the original skatepark at the northwest corner of Ponderosa Park,” said Mercer. He noted that the district has no immediate plans for the original park and it is likely to remain a multi-purpose area for some time.
“The new skatepark was built with the support of many local skateboarders and community tax dollars,” stated Mercer. “It’s important that users show that skateparks are positive additions to our community as the vision is to have a system of skate spots in the future.”
Local skatepark advocacy group PUSH (Providing Urban Skate Habitats) partnered with the Bend Park & Recreation District on the new skatepark, providing assistance in design, public outreach and contributing $40,000 in cash and in-kind donations towards the $380,000 project.
The new skatepark is part of numerous renovations at Ponderosa Park. Other improvements include new parking, restrooms, a picnic shelter, basketball courts, a playground, trails and more which are anticipated to be completed by summer.
10,000 sf: Diamond Skate Plaza
Skatepark Designer: California Skateparks
Project Scope: Design/Build
Project Type: Public
Los Angeles, California, USA
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
10,000 sf: Holland Skate Plaza
Elizabeth, New Jersey
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
The Holland Skate Plaza space, designed by Spohn Ranch Skateparks, is a part of a larger re-development project and was originally slated to be a venue for social gatherings such as concerts and farmer’s markets. When the forward-thinking prime architect, Suburban Consulting Engineers, wanted to bring wheeled sports into the mix, we were invited to join the design team and lend our expertise. The goal then became a vibrant multi-use plaza that would primarily cater to skateboards and bikes, while remaining a welcoming space for the entire community.
The thought was that the non-skating population would enjoy watching the action, as well as appreciate the sculptural nature of the skateable elements. And for skaters, a skatepark that doesn’t look like a skatepark, is truly a dream come true. Rather than feeling like an enclosed space where you are sentenced to ride, it feels like a naturally-occurring environment that just so happens to be perfect for skateboarding.
12,000 sf: Phillips Park Skatepark
Aurora, Illinois
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
The 12,000 square foot space at Phillips Park, designed by Spohn Ranch Skateparks, draws riders from throughout the Midwest.
City concerns about skate and BMX conflicts steered the design toward separate areas, but collaborating with Illinois-based landscape architects, Design Perspectives, we achieved an integrated approach. The “skate plaza” section is 8,000 square feet and links tinted concrete features such as the Pier 7 manual pad, sushi dish and earthquake gap to create the modern street skater’s ideal setting.
With a footprint of 4,000 square feet, the designated BMX facility offers flowing transition, spines and sub-boxes perfect for a BMX dream session. Sited adjacent to one another and separated by flowing grass berms for spectators, these facilities are collectively transforming the City of Aurora into a thriving hub for Illinois action sports.
12,000 sf: Walker Mill Regional Park
Walker Mill Regional Park in District Heights, Maryland will soon add 12,000 square feet of sculpted concrete to it’s impressive collection of state-of-the-art facilities and amenities.
Space within the park was limited, so an extremely challenging downhill site became our canvas. We took the challenge and emerged with a solution that not only addresses the site’s unique topography, drainage and visibility issues, but also provides the area’s skaters with modern, well-balanced terrain.
The final design features an open-ended flow bowl with a unique blend of street and transition-style terrain composing the perimeter of the park. Colored concrete and shade-covered spectator seating are nice modern touches.
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
Walker Mill Regional Park in District Heights, Maryland will soon add 12,000 square feet of sculpted concrete to it’s impressive collection of state-of-the-art facilities and amenities.
Space within the park was limited, so an extremely challenging downhill site became our canvas. We took the challenge and emerged with a solution that not only addresses the site’s unique topography, drainage and visibility issues, but also provides the area’s skaters with modern, well-balanced terrain.
The final design features an open-ended flow bowl with a unique blend of street and transition-style terrain composing the perimeter of the park. Colored concrete and shade-covered spectator seating are nice modern touches.
Skatepark Designer: California Skateparks
Project Scope: Design/Build
Project Type: Public
Los Angeles, California, USA
California Skateparks worked with Rob Dyrdek and the City of Los Angeles to create this new “Safe Spot Skate Spot” skate plaza. The 14,000 square-foot, tri-level street skate plaza, which is already considered one of the premier skate plazas in the entire nation, offers a picturesque view high on a hillside at the southeast corner of the park
14,000 sf: Dublin, Ohio, Skatepark
Spohn Ranch Skateparks SR-056-02
The City of Dublin, Ohio’s skatepark was a well-used facility since day one, so when the City’s plans to expand Coffman Park ran right through the skatepark footprint, two priorities became clear. First, was finding a new location. Second, was learning from the original skatepark design’s mistakes and capitalizing on the opportunity for a fresh start.
While the original skatepark served the community well for many years, flawed design and awkward geometry limited its potential. Like many early generation skateparks, the space also focused too heavily on transition-style terrain and offered scarce opportunities for street-style skateboarding.
The input sessions we hosted with local skateboarders confirmed our initial assessments and paved the way for a modern skatepark design with well-balanced terrain. Despite unique drainage conditions preventing below-grade terrain, we were able to create a flowing above-grade transition section that leads into a thoughtfully spaced street section. The 14,000 square foot skatepark also features a sculptural wave feature that goes over-vert and is guaranteed to become an iconic photo backdrop.
14,000 sf: Chautauqua Park Skatepark
Project Scope: Design/Build
Project Type: Public
Los Angeles, California, USA
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
California Skateparks worked with Rob Dyrdek and the City of Los Angeles to create this new “Safe Spot Skate Spot” skate plaza. The 14,000 square-foot, tri-level street skate plaza, which is already considered one of the premier skate plazas in the entire nation, offers a picturesque view high on a hillside at the southeast corner of the park
14,000 sf: Dublin, Ohio, Skatepark
Spohn Ranch Skateparks SR-056-02
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
The City of Dublin, Ohio’s skatepark was a well-used facility since day one, so when the City’s plans to expand Coffman Park ran right through the skatepark footprint, two priorities became clear. First, was finding a new location. Second, was learning from the original skatepark design’s mistakes and capitalizing on the opportunity for a fresh start.
While the original skatepark served the community well for many years, flawed design and awkward geometry limited its potential. Like many early generation skateparks, the space also focused too heavily on transition-style terrain and offered scarce opportunities for street-style skateboarding.
The input sessions we hosted with local skateboarders confirmed our initial assessments and paved the way for a modern skatepark design with well-balanced terrain. Despite unique drainage conditions preventing below-grade terrain, we were able to create a flowing above-grade transition section that leads into a thoughtfully spaced street section. The 14,000 square foot skatepark also features a sculptural wave feature that goes over-vert and is guaranteed to become an iconic photo backdrop.
14,000 sf: Chautauqua Park Skatepark
 | |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
Skatepark Designer: Site Design Group
Project Scope: Construction
Lights: No
This skatepark is right off the Rockaway boardwalk. The design strikes a balance between both street and transition styles. It features a plaza section complete with a variety of grind ledges, a set of stairs with handrail and hubba ledges, and a solid hipped bank. In addition to the plaza section, the park also features an entire transition area that includes various bowled corners, rolled edges, and a volcano. This all-inclusive park is sure to have something for everyone!
Project Scope: Construction
Lights: No
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
This skatepark is right off the Rockaway boardwalk. The design strikes a balance between both street and transition styles. It features a plaza section complete with a variety of grind ledges, a set of stairs with handrail and hubba ledges, and a solid hipped bank. In addition to the plaza section, the park also features an entire transition area that includes various bowled corners, rolled edges, and a volcano. This all-inclusive park is sure to have something for everyone!
Skatepark Designer: California Skateparks
Project Scope: Design/Build
Project Type: Public
Los Angeles, California, USA
The Stoner Skate Plaza in Los Angeles, CA is one of the latest projects from California Skateparks. California Skateparks worked with the local community and local skaters to come up with this unique design. The main inspiring feature in the Plaza is the letter S for Stoner, which is shown off by the red line that flows from one side of the Plaza to the other. Many of the street features in the Plaza are features taken from previous skate spots that are no longer around or accessible, making this spark extremely special to the local skaters and community.
Project Scope: Design/Build
Project Type: Public
Los Angeles, California, USA
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
The Stoner Skate Plaza in Los Angeles, CA is one of the latest projects from California Skateparks. California Skateparks worked with the local community and local skaters to come up with this unique design. The main inspiring feature in the Plaza is the letter S for Stoner, which is shown off by the red line that flows from one side of the Plaza to the other. Many of the street features in the Plaza are features taken from previous skate spots that are no longer around or accessible, making this spark extremely special to the local skaters and community.
Skatepark Designer: California Skateparks
Project Scope: Design/Build
Project Type: Public
Los Angeles, California, USA
Project Scope: Design/Build
Project Type: Public
Los Angeles, California, USA
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
Our creative design and quality construction on this project is sure to make this another premier skate park for the City of Los Angeles. This 25,000 sq foot skate park has a large central plaza that terraces down with a variety of stair sets to form two main wings of the park. The larger of the two wings starts with two different triple sets, and a long double kink rail leading towards a big central volcano surrounded by a transition section. The smaller of the two wings begins with 4 and 5 stairs leading towards an “A” frame with rails, a smaller double kink rail, and pier 7 ledges. The two wings are connected by a pathway cutting diagonally across the park that features an abundance of ledges, a flat bar, and a massive bank to ledge.
Skatepark Designer: Site Design Group
Project Scope: General Contractor
Project Type: Public
Goodyear , California, USA
Project Scope: General Contractor
Project Type: Public
Goodyear , California, USA
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
The Goodyear Community Skatepark is truly one of a kind. This facility was the direct result of Arizona skaters need to have a world class park with big bowls. This 26,000 sq of skate-able terrain consists of a 280’ long snake run the ranges for 7’-9’ deep and includes back-to-back 10’ over vert pockets and a 16’ full pipe capsule that can be skated on the inside and on the outside. The street flow section includes a step up manual pad, a pyramid and various quarter pipes that lead into a flow section that backs up against the outside of the capsule. The park also includes an asymmetrical peanut pool with an 11’ deep end, a 7’ shallow end, pool coping and tile. Integral colored concrete was used throughout making this park even more unique. Park amenities include a shade structure w/ BBQ, lights, a drinking fountain, restrooms and an adjacent playground/water park.
Additional skateparks incorporating skate runs (square footage unknown):
Ponce (Puerto Rico) Skatepark
 |
| Click here for other views of this skatepark |
Spohn Ranch Design SR-044-02
