Skate spots
The newest trend in municipal skatepark master planning, skate spots range in scope from small skateable elements integrated into the existing landscape to larger areas that can accommodate up to a dozen riders. Typically comprised of several elements, a series of skatespots provides a great addition to any community’s action sports master plan.
Since almost 80% of skaters consider themselves street skaters, many of them will avoid traditional skateparks in order to ride “real” street elements. A well-designed skate spot delivers this authentic street experience in a controlled environment.
Many cities are installing multiple skate spots to serve the action sports community by providing safe, engineered spaces that still feel “real” to the users. Subtle changes to real world geometry and a super-smooth finish make Spohn Ranch skate spots safer and more fun to ride.
In cities with only one central skatepark, many users are dependent on motorized transportation to reach the park. The lower cost and easier installation of skate spots allows for more places to ride — serving a larger action sports population in a more efficient way.
SKATE dots
Going one step further, skate dots are even smaller than skate spots. These spaces are typically comprised of one or two elements designed to integrate skateboarding into the public realm.
Even with a small budget and limited space, skate dots can be a valuable addition to any community’s skateboarding scene. Consisting of only a few basic elements, these spaces help spread out the skateboarding population and reduce crowding issues commonly found when a city has only one central skatepark. Young skaters with limited transportation now have more designated places to skate, without having to find a ride to the central skatepark.
When the creative mind of the skateboarder goes to work, a simple spot like this can provide endless hours of entertainment.
