Skatepark Times by Spohn Ranch

This past weekend Spohn Ranch Skateparks had the privilege of setting up motocross jumps and our signature 13′ vert ramp for the East Coast Surfing Championships in Virginia Beach.  This three day event was nothing but fun in sun!  Click here for further info on the industry’s leading action sports event division.

Nice clips from Spohn Ranch’s Ambassador Skate Plaza in Los Angeles courtesy of Active Ride Shop.  This montage features the smooth skating and raw talent of Theotis Beasley and some friends.  For more info on LA’s first real street plaza built in 2008, click here.

Check out the sick montage from Spohn Ranch’s Possum Creek Skatepark in Gainesville, Florida.  This 18,000 square foot park opened in April and continues to attract skaters from throughout Florida!

City of Long Beach, California pushes ahead with plans for more public skateparks, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

This past week, the Tony Hawk Foundation announced that they have chosen Long Beach’s McBride Skatepark as their spotlight project for the year.  The Stand Up for Skateparks event in October will help raise funds for the new 12,000-14,000 square foot concrete skatepark being designed and built by Spohn Ranch.

“We are honored and excited that the Tony Hawk Foundation has chosen McBride Skatepark,” said 6th District Councilmember Dee Andrews. “The additional funding will allow us to provide a world-class skate park for the community. Helping us give kids an alternative to the streets is what the project is all about. With the Tony Hawk Foundation in the mix we have the opportunity to create even more energy, excitement and pride from the kids and the community involved in the skatepark.”

“Long Beach has a strong history in supporting youth who choose skateboarding and BMX as their sports of choice,” said Tony Hawk Foundation Executive Director Miki Vuckovich. ” Over a decade ago the city’s leaders took the initiative to provide these safe havens for kids to go, ride, and remain engaged in something positive and healthy. Tony and our Board of Directors are proud to have the opportunity to share Long Beach’s story and show our support in this way.”

Since 2003, Spohn Ranch has been proud to assist the City of Long Beach with their skatepark planning efforts.  The Mcbride Skatepark will be Spohn Ranch’s fifth skatepark in Long Beach, continuing the tradition of high-quality skateboarding environments.  In the following weeks, Spohn Ranch will be collaborating with some of Long Beach’s top professional skaters to develop the design for what will surely become one of Southern California’s premiere skateparks.  Stay tuned as the design work pushes ahead!

Dalton, Georgia’s Community Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

This past month Spohn Ranch was chosen as the design/build contractor for Dalton, Georgia’s new concrete skatepark.  With successfully building an action sports facility in Dalton, Spohn Ranch will continue the line of work we began in 1992 – building world-class skateparks for both community users and professional skaters.  In the past five years alone, we have built over 300 skateparks – from micro-skate spots to national destinations like our recent Daytona Beach project.

There’s a great article from the Daily Citizen describing Spohn Ranch’s design process and first public meeting with the local skate community.  Stay tuned for updates as the design takes shape!

Woodside Urban Skate Spot – Silver Spring, Maryland, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

This past week, Spohn Ranch was proud to assist Montgomery County with the grand opening of their new urban skate spot in Silver Spring’s Woodside Park. With a handful of skateable elements, this skate spot has become an integral part of Montgomery County’s skatepark system. A diversity of shade-giving trees gives this space a peaceful ambiance, perfect for an afternoon skate session or just relaxing with friends.

Although not large enough to accommodate a city’s entire skateboarding population, skate spots like these create vital community gathering places and can be a valuable addition to the spectrum of recreational facilities.

Long Beach, California Hybrid Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Check out this great video from Transworld Skateboarding that follows Chad Tim Tim and a few Long Beach locals as they skate around town and hit up a few of Spohn Ranch’s new skateparks.

First up is Cherry Park (also known as Bixby Park). This park is home to some DIY pieces and some precision-cast concrete pieces which were donated to the City earlier this year. After getting some grub, they head off the Michael K. Green skatepark – a hybrid skatepark Spohn Ranch built earlier this year in honor of Long Beach legend, Black Mike, who passed away a few years ago.

With more quality parks from Spohn Ranch on the way, the City of Long Beach is developing a legitimate skatepark system. Rather than applying all of the City’s funding into a single project, pocket parks with a variety of terrain are spread around the City – helping create a diverse and more accessible skateboarding scene.

Bemidji, Minnesota Community Skate Plaza, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

This Monday, Spohn Ranch field crews will begin executing on Site Design Group’s unique vision for Minnesota’s first public skate plaza. As construction officially begins on Bemidji’s new skatepark, the local skate/bmx community will be eagerly waiting for the day their wheels can make first contact with the sparkling new concrete.

The hard work and dedication of Bemidji’s Skate & Bike Association has been truly inspirational as we’ve geared up for this project. For the past several years, the local riders have been leading fundraising efforts and rallying support for an engaging community space that will become one of the Midwest’s most-talked-about skateparks. The group’s vision earned them $25,000 from the Tony Hawk Foundation – the maximum grant the foundation awards. Burton Snowboards, Nike and the Nielson Foundation also contributed valuable donations to help make this skate plaza a reality.

This skate plaza was designed by our good friends at Site Design Group in conjunction with the local skate/bmx community. With integral colored concrete, aesthetic landscaping and unique spectator seating areas – Spohn Ranch is on track to transform this environment into a vibrant public space for both skaters and non-skaters to enjoy. Stay tuned for updates as construction progresses!

Concrete Skate Spot – Watts, California (Los Angeles), originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

In 2010, Spohn Ranch was proud to partner with the Watts Labor Community Action Committee to provide the youth of Watts, California with a skateboarding safe haven. The WLCAC’s dedication to improving quality of life in their neighborhood inspired us to create a unique environment that would accommodate the increasing popularity of skateboarding and action sports in Watts. With 4,500 square feet of skateable terrain, this pocket park will promote healthy lifestyles and present the youth of Watts with a positive alternative to the crime, gangs and drugs that challenge their community.

For this project, Spohn Ranch worked with Maine-based Who Skates to transform an under-utilized loading zone into a vibrant community skate spot. The park balances street and transition features in a unique way, while simultaneously providing opportunities for skateboarders of varying ability levels. With a historical mural as a backdrop, this skatepark is well on its way to becoming one of Watts’ most inspiring displays of community activism.

While construction of the skatepark wrapped up last month, the park is still awaiting some final site amenities before it will officially open in the next few weeks. Thanks again to WLCAC for letting us take part in such a rewarding project!

Morrell Skatepark – Henderson, Nevada, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

On Thursday, July 8, Spohn Ranch was proud to assist the City of Henderson, Nevada with the opening of their fifth skatepark. The day’s festivities included a dedication from Councilwoman Gerri Schroder and demonstrations from professional skateboarders and BMX riders.

With a rich history of nationally-recognized recreational facilities, the City of Henderson knew they wanted their fifth skatepark to become one of the nation’s premiere action sports facilities. With over 24,000 square feet of skateable terrain, Henderson’s Morrell Skatepark is a state-of-the art environment combining the best of plaza and transition-style features.

The park was built through a combination of precision-cast concrete and TrueRide HD ramp equipment – transforming a set of dilapidated basketball courts into a well-rounded hybrid skatepark. Prior to Morrell Skatepark, Henderson boasted four public skateparks. While these skateparks were valuable community resources, they were geared towards advanced riders with a preference for big transitions.

With the Morrell Skatepark, we worked diligently with the local community to design a park that would accommodate a broad range of needs. The park features a modern plaza-style layout at one end of the park with stairs, brick-textured banks and concrete benches. The other half of the park is geared towards BMX riders and beginner skaters who are just learning to ride. With a big emphasis on programming during the planning stages, we designed the park with a variety of features that were well-suited for lessons, camps and competitions.

Click the photo above to see additional shots of the park!

PacSun Custom Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

In June of 2010, Spohn Ranch was called in to build a custom skatepark for bmx and skateboard demonstrations at PacSun’s Summer Solstice event at the Santa Monica Pier.

As the leader in custom skateparks and vert ramps for special events, Spohn Ranch delivered another great course for this event.

For further coverage of the event check out the Fox team’s blog here.

Possum Creek Skatepark – Gainesville, Florida, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

With construction wrapping up last week, the Possum Creek Skatepark is already receiving rave reviews from the skaters, parents and community members who had spent years advocating for a state-of-the-art public facility in Gainesville.

With grant deadlines fast approaching, Spohn Ranch dramatically shortened their construction timeline by utilizing a revolutionary form of construction involving pre-cast concrete skate features. Approximately half of the park’s features were precision-cast in an off-site factory. At the same time, site work and methodical on-site concrete pours were able to move forward. After only 28 days on site, construction of the 18,000 sq ft skatepark was complete – an extraordinary feat, unheard of in the world of skatepark construction.

The Possum Creek Skatepark is a triangular expanse of unique terrain. The park’s focus on aesthetic symmetry and a diversity of skateable features makes it a one-of-a-kind destination skatepark. This captivating skatepark features modern plaza elements, a traditional multi-level bowl and unique obstacles which allow skaters to transition through the park’s integrated landscaping. These landscaped areas give the skater’s the feeling of a real urban environment, while providing opportunities for eco-friendly stormwater management.

With thoughtful consideration for balancing transition and street skating styles, this skatepark’s design accommodates the full spectrum of skaters – from those who are just learning, to those who demand challenging terrain where they can perfect their craft. After final landscaping and spectator areas are incorporated in the following weeks, the park will host its official grand opening and continue on the track to becoming a vibrant and inspirational community space.

EA Sports – Skate 3 Commercial Shoot, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Spohn Ranch was hired back in April to build a custom vert-ramp for a high-profile commercial shoot. Check out the final commercial for EA Sports’ upcoming video game “Skate 3″.

Bixby Park Skate Spot – Long Beach, California, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

In 2010 Spohn Ranch donated a few Spohncrete pre-cast concrete pieces to a DIY skate spot at Bixby Park (Cherry Park) in Long Beach, California. Local skaters had turned this flat slab of concrete into their own home, but amateur construction techniques limited the potential of this spot. Now filled with smooth concrete pieces with stainless steel edging, this spot has become a meeting place for Long Beach’s top skaters.

Check out this nice montage from the good folks over at The Skateboard Mag – featuring Sierra Fellers, Abidas Riveria, Chad Tim Tim and Nick Merlino.

EA Sports – Skate 3 Commercial Shoot, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

In early April of 2010, Spohn Ranch Skateparks was approached by Imperial Woodpecker, a production company that was shooting a commercial for the EA Sports video game franchise. The commercial for Skate 3 called for the construction of a custom half-pipe.

Calling upon 18+ years of skatepark construction and design experience, the Spohn Ranch Special Events division erected a 13’ vert ramp on a tight schedule and with the highest of quality. The commercial called for a “rugged-looking” half-pipe with decks that could accommodate at least 20 skaters. As the leader in custom ramp fabrication for special events and commercial shoots, Spohn Ranch relied on proven safety and engineering principles to ensure the ramp could perform at the highest level.

To see Spohn Ranch’s vert ramp in action, stay tuned for the full commercial and don’t forget to pick up EA Skate 3 – hitting stores May 11th!  To see more shots from the shoot, click the photo above.

Possum Creek Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Construction is steadily moving forward on the 18,000 sq. ft. Possum Creek Skatepark in Gainesville, Florida.

Led by Spohn Ranch’s COO, Mark Bradford, the crews in Gainesville are quickly turning what were once just some dreams scribbled on paper into one of Florida’s premiere concrete skateparks.

Through a combination of advanced pre-cast concrete technology and methodical on-site concrete pours, the skatepark is nearing a flawless finish with less than 30 days on site. By precision-casting the most time-consuming features off-site, we were able to dramatically reduce our construction timeline on this project. While features like stairs were being cast in our factory-controlled conditions, we were able to simultaneously move forward with site work.

With construction set to wrap up in the next two weeks, the City of Gainesville will be preparing for one of Florida’s most anticipated skatepark grand openings in years.

The Possum Creek Skatepark is a triangular expanse of unique terrain. The park’s focus on aesthetic symmetry and a diversity of skateable features makes it a one-of-a-kind destination skatepark. This captivating skatepark features modern plaza elements, a traditional multi-level bowl and unique obstacles which allow skaters to transition through the park’s integrated landscaping.

Long Beach, California Hybrid Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

The Michael K. Green Skatepark in Long Beach, California was completed in January and has quickly become a vibrant recreational space for Long Beach’s top skaters, as well as those who are just learning to ride.

We stopped by the park yesterday for a quick session and had a great time skating with almost 50 skaters from the Long Beach community. It was very clear from being around the kids, that this skatepark is having a very positive effect on the community and its youth.  The Michael K. Green Skatepark is a hybrid-style park consisting of ramp equipment and unique concrete features. One of our favorite parts of this park is the extra-wide TrueRide HD mini-ramp.

In case you missed out on the grand opening in January, check out this great clip from The District Weekly.

http://vimeo.com/8901852

Check out http://www.trueride.com/ to see the revamped TrueRide website.  Although Spohn Ranch is primarily focused on custom concrete skateparks, we continue to lead the industry in fabricated ramp equipment.  Over 18 years of ramp building experience has culminated in three unique product lines branded under the TrueRide name – TrueRide Heavy Duty, TrueRide Classic and TrueRide Steel.  Visit the website to see what makes TrueRide the preferred ramps of skaters, skatepark managers and municipalities across the globe.

Huffman Skatepark – West Dundee, Illinois, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

In between the Illinois blizzards, skaters have been braving the cold and enjoying some great sessions at the new skatepark in West Dundee. Once the weather improves, the final landscaping will be completed and the park will proudly host its official grand opening. Stay tuned for more details!

This amazing pocket-park features a raised plaza with a mini-ramp (with floating quarter-pipe), stair-set, hubba ledge, and rail. The bottom level has two paths bisected by a hipped LA High Bank dotted with manual pads, grind rails and plenty of ledges. The park was designed by Hitchcock Design Group and Spohn Ranch, and built using Spohncrete pre-cast concrete. Click the photo above to see more shots of the park

Even Dew Tour Champion and Chicago-native, Chaz Ortiz, is giving the skatepark his stamp of approval in this little montage filmed at the park in early December.

Long Beach, California Hybrid Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

On Sunday, January 17th, the youth of Long Beach, California will officially have a brand new facility where they can exercise their passions and distract themselves from the hardships of living in what 1st District Councilman Robert Garcia called “one of the most dense and poor communities in Long Beach.” The new skatepark, which replaced existing equipment and expanded upon the site’s footprint, is a 8,000 sq. ft. hybrid style skatepark, consisting of TrueRide ramps and pre-cast Spohncrete features.  To see more shots of the skatepark, click the photo above.

Despite some initial community opposition, the skaters and their advocates fought hard to show that a new facility was a much-needed addition to their neighborhood. “One of the first things I told the city manager is that I want to make sure that we build that park, because I’ve seen the power and impact it has had on that community,” Councilman Garcia said. For the vulnerable youth of Long Beach, providing more safe places to skate is a great way to keep them active and out of trouble.

Now with all of the construction and landscaping complete, the new skatepark will be a source of pride for the community and its skaters for decades to come. The park’s official grand opening is set for Sunday, January 17th, at 1pm. The day’s festivities will include professional skating demos and speeches from Councilman Garcia, lead skatepark advocate and former Councilman Mike Donelon, and Mike Vallely, a professional skateboarder and Long Beach native. Councilman Garcia will also announce his plan to name the facility the Michael K. Greene Skatepark after Black Mike, an influential Long Beach local who was shot and killed a few years prior.

Here’s to more positive recreational spaces in the City of Long Beach! RIP Black Mike.

Skate Plaza with Skateable Art, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

We’re always looking for new ways to let skaters and cities know exactly what they’re getting during the design phase.

That’s why we’re doing better renderings in more advanced programs and creating 3D fly-throughs of parks so everyone involved can see the park from every angle.

This small-scale plaza has skateable art, plenty of ledges and enough flow to skaters move from end to end without stopping. Designed to fit in a tight footprint (condos on one side and mangroves on the other), our designers created a footprint that echoes this existing sidewalk and makes the skatepark feel like it’s always been there.

Fort Irwin Military Base Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

After building the Sidewinder Skatepark at the Fort Irwin Military Base about four months ago, we decided to head back to check up on the park and get in a nice skate session. With the integration of landscaping, trees, and decorative fencing – the park has become an inviting recreational space. In addition to the park’s aesthetic appeal, all of the pre-cast Spohncrete pieces are showing zero signs of wear and tear from skateboard trucks and BMX pegs – a clear sign that the Fort Irwin community will be able to safely enjoy a high-quality skatepark for decades to come.

Click the photo above to see all the shots from our skate session!

LA Skate Plaza, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

This past week the Ambassador Series honored the 1-Year Anniversary of the grand opening of the LA Skate Plaza in Wilmington, California. Big thanks to Element Skateboards, HOT 106, X-Games winner Jake Brown, and especially the Ambassador Series who all helped put together this event for the youth of Wilmington.

In 2008, Spohn Ranch teamed up with Maxwell Billieon of the Ambassador Series and professional skateboarder Paul Rodriguez to create a truly amazing skatepark for the city of Wilmington. One year ago, the LA Skate Plaza officially opened with largest launch in the history of Los Angeles, with almost 4,000 skaters in attendance.

Since then, the park has averaged 250-300 skaters a day, has become a drop-off location for seven neighborhood schools, and has helped reduce violent crime in the area by 90%. Spohn Ranch looks forward to many more successful years in Wilmington, as well as helping communities around the world provide more recreational spaces for kids to safely pursue their love of skateboarding and action sports.

5BORO Skateboards Southern Migration Tour, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Only two weeks after the skatepark’s official grand opening, the Bethune Point Skatepark in Daytona Beach, Florida is quickly becoming a destination park for professional skateboarding teams and a wide diversity of skaters from around the East Coast.  5BORO Skateboards, a New York based skateboarding company, is doing a demo at the skatepark on December 1st as part of their Southern Migration Tour.

If you won’t be able to make it down to Daytona Beach for this demo, check out a few of the videos from the skatepark that are already popping up on youtube.  The unique skateable art pieces, authentic street-style elements like stairs and handrails, and ability to flow through the park are clearly a huge hit with the local skaters.  Check out the clips!

http://www.youtube.com/user/spohnranch2008#p/a/f/0/7FnE8w7jEPk

http://www.youtube.com/user/spohnranch2008#p/a/f/1/lIgfn3Ou-iE

Daytona Beach Skatepark Grand Opening, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Daytona Beach’s premiere action sports facility is officially open!

The Bethune Point Skatepark in Daytona Beach, Florida was officially opened on Saturday November 7th – drawing in hundreds of skaters, families, and curious spectators. The skatepark, called the “finest skatepark in the country” by Recreation Director Percy Williamson, is now open daily for skaters and BMXers to enjoy.

The day’s festivities included speeches by Mayor Glenn Ritchey and City Commissioner Richard Shriver, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, demonstrations from local skaters, and separate BMX and skateboarding contests. Big shout-out to Maui Nix Surf/Skate Shop who ran the contests and donated all of the product for the winners.  Locals Only Surf Magazine also covered the event in their November Issue which can be viewed online here.

Thanks again to everyone who came out to support skateboarding and quality skateparks!

Daybreak Sculpture Garden, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

For the November issue of Recreation Management Magazine, Spohn Ranch Skateparks’ President and Founder, Aaron Spohn, was selected to write a guest column related to skateparks.  As a pioneering figure in the skatepark industry, Aaron has developed an in-depth understanding of what it takes to make a truly great skatepark come to fruition.

Municipal skateparks have come a long way since the early 1990’s and to make sure skateparks keep heading in the right direction, Aaron shared some words of wisdom in this issue with “10 Ways to Maximize your Skatepark”.  Watch for the article in the print version, or read it here on Recreation Management’s website.

Bethune Point Skatepark Daytona Beach, Florida, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

The new Bethune Point skatepark in Daytona Beach, Florida is all finished and set for the official grand opening this Saturday, November 7th at 10 a.m. With the finishing touches on the landscaping completed, this park is going to look amazing! More importantly though, this park is sure to quickly become one of Florida’s premiere action sports facilities – drawing in a wide range of skaters from across the country.

If the secret late-night sessions we’ve been hearing about are any indication, the grand opening is set to be a great day for skating!  See you there!

Daybreak Skateable Art Path featured in Transworld Skateboarding Magazine, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Check out the December issue of Transworld Skateboarding that just hit the shelves! Featured in the “Small Talk” section is an amazing shot by Chriz Ortiz of World Industries’ newest rider Anthony Shetler. Shetler is busting a huge crooked grind on one of our skateable art pieces at the Daybreak Skate Path in South Jordan, Utah. The first of its kind, this unique spot features sculptural pieces integrated along a winding park path – the perfect mix of skating and aesthetics!

Hot Spot Skatepark Official Grand Opening, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

The Hot Spot Skate Park in Spartanburg, SC celebrated it’s official grand opening on October 10, 2009. Plenty of city officials, supporters, volunteers, parents, and skaters showed up for the event. One of the most impressive things with the Hot Spot Skatepark is the level of support from everyone involved. This is NOT one of those parks that was built and then pushed aside. It was a great day!

There were plenty of things going on but the main part of the day was the mini ramp and best trick contest. Spartanburg Mayor Bill Barnet was on hand to congratulate all of the people involved in making the Hot Spot Skatepark happen. He also officially declared October 10th as Hot Spot Skatepark Day!

Click the photo above, courtesy of our friends at Zigboys Skate Shop, to see all of the action that was going on that day.

Bethune Point Skatepark Daytona Beach, Florida, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Click the photo above to check out shots from the construction progress at Spohn Ranch’s Bethune Point Skatepark in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The skatepark was planned, designed and constructed by Spohn Ranch, co-designed by Pillar Design Studios, featuring pre-cast concrete manufactured by Barkman Concrete, poured-in-place concrete work by Spohn Ranch, and bowl construction by California Skateparks.  With all of the flatwork complete, pre-cast concrete pieces set in place, and bowl construction finished, all the remains is the final landscaping in preparation for the skatepark’s grand opening.

Some of the unique features of this park include a colossal pre-cast concrete clam shell, pre-cast Skateable Art pieces such as the “Roll-Over Whip” and “Broken Pyramid”, and an extra-wide “Bent Penny” pre-cast bank textured with grooves for an innovative real-world skating experience.  By combining these pre-cast pieces with poured-in-place concrete features, a plethora of stairs, hubbas, and rails, and a custom in-ground bowl – we’ve created a diverse skating masterpiece that the skaters of Florida can enjoy for decades to come.

Skateable Art by Spohn Ranch Website Launches, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

We’ve finally launched the stand alone website for our innovative new product line called Skateable Art, which can be found here. Click the link to browse through the site and read about the inspiration, see the catalog of pieces, and discover how the amazing process works.

Rather than relying on the traditional skatepark model, Skateable Art utilizes concrete sculptures to create unique terrain where the innovation of skateboarders can truly flourish. With compelling shapes that rival the work of elite sculptural artists and unique colors and textures, Skateable Art can regenerate any public space. Whether it’s adding on to an existing skatepark or building a park path with a series of pieces, Skateable Art is the perfect solution for multifuctional art that is aesthetically pleasing.

Daytona Beach, Florida Concrete Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Click the photo above to see shots of the construction work in process at Spohn Ranch’s premier skatepark for 2009 in Daytona Beach, Florida. This 20,000 square foot concrete skatepark is being built through a combination of pre-cast and poured-in-place concrete. By utilizing the advantages of each system, the city of Daytona Beach is truly getting the best of both worlds.

At this point, the majority of the pre-cast elements have been set in place, the poured-in-place bowl has been finished with pool coping, and all that remains is the final flat work. Stay tuned for more updates on the construction progress and the date of the Grand Opening.

Skateboarding Contest at David L. Dirkse Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

The David L. Dirkse Skatepark in Holland, Michigan recently hosted its first skateboarding competition on Saturday August 29th. Despite the stormy weather, a large crowd of skaters, family members and curious community members packed the new skatepark, which was designed and built by Spohn Ranch Skateparks earlier this year.

About 40 skaters competed in three divisions that ranged from beginner to advanced. Another 100 skateboarders watched or skated but didn’t compete. The event was organized and ran by Jeff Copmanger, father of the skater in the photo above and a huge catalyst for getting the skatepark built in Holland.  Good work guys, keep it up!

In preparation for the release of their highly anticipated new video Extremely Sorry, the Flip Skateboards team has been touring skateparks across the country.  Thrasher Magazine just posted a video clip of the Flip team, including Geoff Rowley, Mark Appleyard, David Gonzales, and Louie Lopez, shredding at Spohn Ranch’s Ambassador Skate Plaza in Wilmington, California.  Check it out here (it’s the second skatepark in the clip)

Fort Irwin Skatepark Grand Opening, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Click the photo above to see shots of the festivities from the Grand Opening of the new concrete skatepark at the Fort Irwin Military Base in Southern California.

The turnout for the event was unbelievable, with a crowd of over 300 skaters, parents, soldiers, and community members.  Fort Irwin/National Training Center Commanding General Brig. Gen. Robert “Abe” Abrams, son of the legendary General Creighton Abrams, was on hand to give an inspirational speech to the skaters about respecting the park and their fellow skaters.

“There are not enough words to adequately say thank you to each and every one of you for your support of our Fort Irwin Community. People on post can only say wonderful things about the design, the project and the incredible skaters who showed up for the event. Each of you made a huge difference in the lives of our Soldiers and their families yesterday. The skatepark is having a huge impact on our children and soldiers who need a place for recreation.” said Jackie Hoggins, Marketing Chief at Fort Irwin.

Read below for the story of how this skatepark project came to fruition.

Concrete Skatepark at Fort Irwin Military base, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

New Skatepark at Military Base Boosts Soliders’ Morale

Permission to shred sir? Permission granted soldier! With the help of Spohn Ranch Skateparks, the new 15,000 square foot concrete skatepark at the Fort Irwin Military Base in Southern California is being hailed as a tremendous success.

Fort Irwin, located just outside of Barstow in the remote Southern California desert, is the premiere National Training Center for all branches of the US Military. All military personnel being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan must first complete Desert Warfare training at Fort Irwin, which amounts to a large population of soldiers and family members on base looking for ways to occupy their spare time. After the idea of a new skatepark kept popping up at the family advocacy meetings, the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Department at Fort Irwin partnered with Spohn Ranch Skateparks, based in Industry, California, to build a skatepark that they could be really proud of.

The “Grind & Shred Skatepark”, as it was named by the skaters on base, replaced a much smaller existing skatepark that consisted of a few inadequate steel ramps. “Working with an experienced skatepark company like Spohn Ranch was very crucial,” said Jackie Hoggins, Marketing Chief at Fort Irwin. “They know the newest trends and how to design a skatepark that skaters young and old will love.” Spohn Ranch has worked with the US Military on skatepark projects across the globe, having completed skateparks at military installations in New Mexico, Japan, and most recently at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.

The skatepark is already being met with tremendous praise because of the benefits it will provide for different groups on base. “For the 12-18 year old age group, which is very difficult to keep entertained, the skatepark will provide the perfect venue for exercising and having fun,” said Maarten Voogd of Water Ventures, the contract holder of the project. With a parental figure absent and traditional sports becoming less popular, activities like skateboarding are a great way to keep kids’ minds focused on something positive. Failing to provide this vulnerable age group with facilities for the activities they enjoy leads to them finding less productive ways to spend their time.

For single soldiers on base who often feel left out of activity planning, the skatepark will also provide a new venue for social interaction and relaxation. Most important of all is the way in which the skatepark will become a critical piece of the family support structure. Soldiers can be much more focused on their work knowing their family is safe and occupying their time with positive activities. “Although it may seem obscure to some, we are proud to do our part in supporting the troops that are fighting for our freedom around the world,” said Aaron Spohn, founder and president of Spohn Ranch Skateparks.

The skatepark’s grand opening is set for Wednesday August 26, and will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, professional demos and a best trick contest.

Skateable Art bench for Gatorade, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Gatorade recently approached us about building benches for the 30 skateparks across the country that are part of the Gatorade Free Flow Tour. We fabricated wave benches made of galvanized steel and surfaced with Skatelite for each skatepark on the tour, which is going on right now. After the tour these benches will be given as gifts to the skateparks, where they will become permanent fixtures.

Click the photo above to see shots of the last Gatorade bench before it was shipped off to the Jaycee Skatepark in Joplin, Missouri.  With the addition of skateboarding phenoms Sean Malto and Chaz Ortiz to its team, Gatorade has made a pretty impressive entrance into the skateboarding world.

Skate Session at Liberty Lake Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

On Saturday August 8th, Free Man skate gear, Merit board shop , and Pyramid skate and print shop put on a demo/session/BBQ at the Liberty Lake Skatepark in Washington.

This photo here is of Mikey Jr. and his grandpa Mike, who were the main driving force behind the skatepark project in Liberty Lake. They also went to the city and parks and recreation department and got permission to have the event. Mike was serving up free drinks and BBQ all day long. Great day in Liberty Lake!

INDUSTRY, CALIFORNIA -  Spohn Ranch Skateparks placed # 2,950 on the Inc. 5000, an annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the nation, accounting for a combined revenue of $184.5 billion and 334 percent growth in 2009.  Spohn Ranch, with steady business even in the face of economic downturn, jumped almost 2,000 spots since their 2008 debut at # 4,798 – a strong indicator of the company’s continuing dedication to progress in the skatepark industry.

“Being recognized by Inc. Magazine is a great accomplishment, but getting today’s youth off the couch and into safe, engaging recreational facilities is the true reward, “said Kirsten Bradford, CEO of Spohn Ranch.  “It’s great to see that even in an economic recession, cities are still committing funds to recreational facilities for the kids.”

According to Inc. Magazine, Spohn Ranch is one of the “innovating companies that is creating jobs, redefining their industries, and shaping our world.” By branching out into new skatepark genres such as skate plazas and skateable art, Spohn Ranch keeps things fresh and is taking the industry to new levels. “Skateparks have come a long way since the early ‘90s when dropping a few steel ramps on a tennis court was considered building a skatepark,” said Aaron Spohn, founder and president of Spohn Ranch.  Consequently, Spohn frequently works with landscape architects and sculptural artists to create custom, integrated parks that become a showpiece for their communities.  “Approaching cities with a diverse project team shows them that a skatepark is not just something for skaters, but a vibrant public space that can be appreciated by anyone.”

By helping to educate cities on the wide-ranging benefits of a skatepark, Spohn Ranch has attracted more funding towards the skatepark industry, with the end result being more world-class facilities for skaters to enjoy.

Concrete Skatepark at Fort Irwin Military base, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Click the photo above to see shots of the skatepark construction that is in progress over at the Fort Irwin Military Base just outside of Barstow, in Southern California.

The Spohn Ranch construction crew has been working hard under the scorching desert sun to replace a small setup of steel ramps with a 15,000 square foot concrete skatepark. More info on this project and the grand opening will be coming soon.

Skateable Art “Humps” by Spohn Ranch Skateparks, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Check out this Video from Crail Tap of Girl Skateboards pro Jeron Wilson busting a nice benihanna over the hump. Click the photo above to see the rest of the Skateable Art installation in Utah completed by Spohn Ranch back in 2008.

Liberty Lake, Washington Concrete Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Click the photo above to see shots of the recently completed 7,000 square foot concrete skatepark in Liberty Lake, Washington. There’s some great shots of the park that were taken super early in the morning when there were no skaters present, as well as some great action shots from a seperate shoot during the day.

Even with a limited budget and a small site, we were still able to create an amazing park that has everything you need. Rather than cramming the slab full of obstacles, we opted to leave lots of open space for pushing and flat ground. If you’re ever in the Liberty Lake area, this is one park you should definitely check out.

Clips of skaters shredding the wave benches we designed and built for the Gatorade Free Flow Tour are popping up all over the internet these days.  Check out this little clip of Zoo York am Anthony Shetler going to work.  Are concrete versions of this skateable art piece already in the works?….You’ll have to stay tuned to find out.

Came across a video from some local skaters at the new Westwind Lakes Skatepark in Miami.  Clocking in at just under 9 minutes, this hefty clip is full of buttery lines and smooth skating at the new outdoor park designed and built by Spohn Ranch Skateparks.

_5314681, originally uploaded by actionparkalliance.

Gatorade recently approached us about making benches for the skateparks that are part of the Gatorade Free Flow Tour. We fabricated wave benches made of galvanized steel and surfaced with Skatelite for each skatepark on the tour, which is going on right now.  After the tour these benches will be given as gifts to the skateparks, where they will become permanent fixtures.

Click the photo above to see shots our friends at the Action Park Alliance took at the Fontana Skatepark.

Westwind Lakes Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Click the photo above to see shots of the two new concrete skateparks that we recently completed in the Miami area.

The first one is a 15,000 sq ft concrete skatepark at the Westwind Lakes Park in Miami Dade.  Flowing lines, an abundance of ledges and unique obstacles, and plenty of open space make this a truly enjoyable park.

The second one is 7,200 sq ft concrete skatepark in South Dade.  Although smaller in size, this park is really fun to ride.  One of the coolest features of this park is the wallride that bridges the gap between two big banks.

Both parks were installed using existing concrete slabs, saving both time and money.

As most of you already know this Sunday June 21st is Go Skateboarding Day, a day that was officially recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2007.  There are tons of events happening all over the country, but  if you can’t make it to one of these events, the most important thing to do is to just get out there and remember how fun skateboarding is.  For a complete list of all the day’s events check out the new Go Skateboarding Day website.

As part of the skateboarding holiday’s festivities, Vans has organized a tour of six Southern California skateparks, including Spohn Ranch’s Ambassador Skate Plaza in Los Angeles.

On June 6th Element Skateboard’s Make it Count contest series made its final stop at Spohn Ranch’s Ambassador Skate Plaza in Los Angeles.  Head over to the Element site for a video recap of the action from that day.

Check out this cool montage filmed by a couple of local skaters at the Unidad Skatepark in Baytown, Texas.  The park is one of Spohn Ranch’s recent Hybrid Skateparks which consists of Spohncrete and TrueRide elements.

Baytown Skatepark Montage from cody lonidier on Vimeo.