The City of Cedar Rapids’ Riverside Skatepark will embark on an exciting new chapter in 2023.
When flood control improvements necessitated the skatepark move south to the top of Riverside Park, Spohn Ranch’s professional experts, innovators behind many of Iowa’s premiere skateparks, sprang into action. We began our process by conducting an assessment of the skatepark’s existing obstacles. Originally installed in 1999, the steel ramps were nearing the end of their safe and functional lifespan, thus Spohn Ranch recommended the obstacles not be moved to the new site and instead, a new skatepark should be constructed with concrete.
Due to funding requirements, design of the new concrete terrain was limited to replacing obstacles from the original skatepark such as the mini half-pipe, stair set and curved embankment. Bowls and pump tracks, for example, were unfortunately off limits for this facility, but are being considered for a future skatepark as part of the City’s greenway development.
A fixed triangular shape and the site’s significant slope also presented design challenges, but in collaboration with input from local users who requested we prioritize a flat area with beginner-friendly obstacles and ample spectator seating, we overcame the project’s hurdles and emerged with a final layout that we are extremely proud of.
The 21,000 square feet of concrete terrain pays homage to the original skatepark with concrete replicas of many fan favorite obstacles, while simultaneously introducing a modern approach to flow and spacing. The skatepark will also be upgraded visually, featuring a modern colored concrete pattern and powder coated steel for a vibrant aesthetic pop.
Skatepark construction is currently underway, but will heat up significantly in the spring, in preparation for a late summer completion. Stay tuned for updates!
