Introduction to Skateparks and Basic Information
Contents
I. Kinds of skateparks
II. Construction Materials
a. Overview of materials
b. North Carolina Parks Opinion on Construction Materials
c. Professional Opinion on Construction Materials
III. Ramps and element definitions
IV. General Rules
V. Charges/supervision etc.
VI. North Carolina Skate Park Contacts
VII. Helpful Websites
I. Kinds of Skateparks
supervised facility and those that are free standing with the idea related to a
playground, where the public can come skate on their own, at their own risk.
popular, however, most of the information found thus far in North Carolina
favors the idea of having a supervised park because of liability issues.
A. Three main types of construction materials
1. Concrete- Concrete is durable, relatively inexpensive, and can sustain a
lot damage. It will last the longest and requires the least amount of
maintenance. Some elements require precision, which can be found with
this material. Elements put in with concrete are permanent and cannot be
moved.
2. Wood- Wood is relatively inexpensive, easily constructed, and easy to
repair. Wood can be used as an original construction material or for later
repair during ramps life span. It is not very durable and requires a lot
maintenance, especially if the park receives heavy usage. Wood is prone
to impact damage, which can lead to increasing risk and likelihood of
injuries. Wood gives the skatepark the option of moving elements so
skaters do not become bored with the park although moving elements
may not be cost efficient.
3. Steel: Steel requires low maintenance and has the mobility of wood. Cost
of this material will be higher than wood, however, it is more sustainable
than wood. There are also many companies that sell pre-constructed
steel ramps that can be assembled on site by non-professionals. Steel is
used for framing and ramp construction however not as an overall
surfacing unless covered by another materials such as Skatelite or Ramp
Skin.
Other Materials:
4. Skatelite- A surfacing material used to cover ramps and the skate
surface. It is built right onto the subframes. This popular is stable under
humidity and temperate environments and cuts down on maintenance and
costs; however, it is fairly expensive.
5. Asphalt- Little information was found on this material. It is used to cover
tennis courts and other areas that are converted into skate parks by
serving as a base pad. It tends to expand in the heat.
Parks can combine the construction materials such as steel ramps that are
covered in Skatelite and bolted onto a concrete pad.
B. What the North Carolina Skateparks say about the materials
1. Concrete
a. Basically maintenance free, some repairs for cracks but very little
problems (Wilmington)
b. Maintenance that does occur is due to the concrete cracking or
divots in the surface (Rocky Mount)
c. Would recommend concrete (Asheville)
2. Wood
a. Do not recommend using wood for ramps because it frequently
needs to be replaced. The maintenance is on-going however wood
frames are fine. (Elkin)
b. Need to continuously replace wood on ramps, do not recommend
this material (Farmville)
c. Originally had plywood surface but it required a lot of wear and tear
maintenance and ended up replacing parts every month
(Greenville)
d. The wood worked very well because of the ability to move the
ramps around (Morganton)
3. Skatelite
a. Skatelite has cut maintenance greatly. Cost $21,000 to cover
everything; however, maintenance costs have gone down
tremendously, no replacements in over a year (before they were
replacing plywood surfaces every month). (Greenville)
Parks need to decide if they want their park to have elements that are moveable
when they are picking construction material. Sometimes even though the
elements are moveable cost is too great to move.
C. What the professionals say about construction materials:
a. Concrete is endorsed by Bendcrete ( a concrete construction
company, www.bendcrete.com) because it is fast, firm, and gives
good control.
a. Riders like the feel of this material
3. Skatelite and Skatelite Pro
a. And expensive masonsite replacement that is touted as being
stronger, smoother, faster, and safer. Many ramps builders are
now using it for modern wooden parks and everyone seems to like
it. It is supposed to be fairly environmentally friendly as well.
(www.skatepark.org/industry_contacts/materials_suppliers)
b. Endorsed by Tony Hawk
III. Ramps and Definitions
There is numerous material on the internet about the different elements in a
street course and different kind of ramps and other elements that one can put in
a skatepark. A majority of the parks in North Carolina talked with the skaters
before construction or during the planning period to see what the skaters wanted
and then worked with the companies to design something suitable for the park.
Most parks had:
An example of a street course set up:
IV. General Rules for a Skatepark
Rules tend to differ depending on the type of skatepark, usually because it is
either supervised or unsupervised.
Example: Rocky Mount Skatepark Rules
and bikers. Serious injury may result from being hit by equipment, falling or
colliding.
responsibility for injuries.
a liability requirement and not an age requirement. The skate park has
had multiple bone breaks. It is fairly regular).
skateboards, scooters, and bikes.
allowed in the skate area.
V. Other Considerations for Building a Skatepark
handing this if it is a supervised site besides simply having it staffed or not.
Some parks contract out and do not have recreation employee staff the facility.
.
Some places charge membership fee, others a daily fee, and others both.
o
and accidents that occur if equipment fails
someone away that does not bring their own safety equipment.
VI. North Carolina Skateparks Contacts
1. Food Lion Skate Park (Concrete Skate Park)
Asheville Parks and Recreation
Contact: Irby Brinson 828-259-5800
2. Sunset Ramp Park (Steel and Concrete Skate Park)
Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation
Contact: Kimberly Barrow 252-972-1159
3. Sk8-Cary (Wooden Ramp and Skatelite Covered Skate Park)
Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Res.
Contact: Dwayne Jones 919-469-4064
4. Greenfield Grind (Concrete Skate Park)
Wilmington Recreation Division- Public Services
Contact: Gary Shell 910-341-4629
VII. Helpful Websites and Contacts
1. skatepark.org
A resource for the Skate Park Process
Includes information on industry contacts, skateboard culture, design and
building for a skate park, getting started, materials, and more.
http://www.skatepark.org
2. Team Pain
A Tim Payne Corporation
Designs, constructs, and consults on skatepark and biking facilities.
Has two wood crews and two concrete crews.
http://www.teampain.com
Phone: 407-366-9221
E-mail: tim@teampain.com
3. Rhino Skate Ramps and Rails
Manufactures and installs ramps. Materials include: ground contact
points (aircraft grade aluminum protection strips), hardware (stainless
steel or zinc nickel coated), and skate surface (RHINO-Top or Skatelite
ฎ).
http://www.rhino-ramps.com
4. Armadillo Recreation
The United States dealer for Rhino Skate Ramps and Rails.
Jake Davis representative North Carolina in Rhino-Armadillo Recreation
Phone: 704-906-4464
http://www.armadillorecreation.com
e-mail: sales@armadillorecreation .com
Corporate Home Page: www.rhino-ramps.com
5. American Ramp
Design and construct rails, ramps, and skateparks. They work with steel,
wood, and skatelite.
North Carolina Representatives:
Phone: 1-887-726-7770
http://www.arc-ramp.com
6. Skatewave
Steel modular skatepark system manufacturer. They only work with steel.
Phone: 1-866-SK8WAVE or 763-972-3391
http://www.skatewaveramps.com
7. SkatePark International, Inc.
Steel based construction company that builds off of other materials (such
as concrete, asphalt pads etc.)
Phone: 303-655-9006
http://www.sk8parks.com
8. Skatelite
Product site describing the skatelite surface material, options, and
purchasing information.
http://skatelite.com
9. Rampskin
Product site describing the rampskin surface material, options, and
http://www.rampskin.com
10. International Inline Skating Association (IISA)
This site contains information on skating products, events, statistics, news,
research, as well a link to a skatepark start up guide.
http://www.iisa.org
http://www.iisa.org/skatepark/
11. Skatepark Guide
This site is strictly focused on starting a skatepark and sells a how to
guide to starting skateparks.
http://www.skateparkguide.com/
12. Suburban Rails
Creative Playgrounds for Skaters
This site contains a good start up guide for groups thinking of building a
skatepark.
(740) 593-8145
http://www.suburbanrails.com
13. SkateboardDirectory.com
A directory of different subjects related to skating and skateparks, such as
companies who build ramps, clothing, teams both amateur and
professional, skatepark directory and many other items.
http://skateboarddirectory.com/dir/Sports/Skateboarding/Skateparks
14. Wormhoundt Incorporated
Company specializing in building concrete skateparks but also handles
site analysis, designing and planning through public workshops,
construction document preparation, and many other services.
http://www.skateparks.com/home.html
Complied for RRS by Alicia Lacombe
