Richard Walton Concrete Skatepark - Spohn Ranch, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

The SpohnCrete skatepark in Oakdale, MN has become an important community space for local skaters. They gather to skate, talk and (most importantly) make videos.

We’ve seen some very nice videos from other SpohnCrete parks in Lemont and 29 Palms, but the Oakdale skaters are coming on strong:

Spohn Ranch Custom Ramp Featured in Shaun White Ad, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

The new Shaun White promo videos are up at HP.com.

Shaun joins an elite group of pro athletes (Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist, Danny Way, etc…) who use Spohn Ranch for their high-profile projects.

The videos are funny and short, and even feature a little skating.

Sure, the haters will hate on Shaun for doing these ads, but who cares. He’s promoting skateboarding, snowboarding and action sports to an audience that doesn’t like the bloody knuckles and ’skate-and-destroy’ ethos put out by the core skateboarders. He’s getting more kids to skate, buy skateboards, use skateparks and (most importantly) buy skate shoes.

Shaun was a blast to work with and was cool to everybody on the set. He skated the ramps hard — pulling airs way bigger than we anticipated.

Spohn Ranch has worked with pro athletes for over 20 years creating new ways for skaters to launch themselves into the atmosphere. (Including Danny Way’s jump over the Great Wall of China).

Bent Penny - Granite Ledge Installation by Spohn Ranch Skateparks, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Spohn Ranch is proud to announce that the first phase of construction is complete on one of the largest skateable art installations in the United States. With amazing pieces of skateable public sculpture artfully set along a winding pedestrian path, this park is a ground-breaking space that incorporates skaters into the community by recognizing their right to practice their sport. Spohn Ranch worked with local landscape architects from the concept phase to plan, design and build this innovative park using the SpohnCrete system of pre-cast concrete skate elements. Usually used in creating skateparks with quarter-pipes, grind ledges and bowls, the SpohnCrete system proved the perfect method for creating unique skateable art pieces in a timely and cost-efficient way. These photos show the pieces after initial placement. When the concrete flatwork is poured around them, they will sit seamlessly with the surrounding landscape design. This project shows Spohn Ranch Skateparks’ mission to apply the highest level of construction and architecture to skateparks.

Skateable Art by Spohn Ranch Skateparks, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Installation has begun at one of the biggest skateable art installations in the US. Pieces like this “Bent Penny” are being craned into place under the direction of Spohn Ranch COO, Mark Bradford.

We’ll post photos are soon as they’re available.

In the meantime, enjoy this brief slideshow with info about all of our product lines:

Shaun White Custom Mini-Ramp by Spohn Ranch Skateparks, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Check out this video: Shaun White Custom Mini-Ramp by Spohn Ranch Skateparks

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Shaun White Custom Mini-Ramp by Spohn Ranch Skateparks, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

Next time you talk to a skatepark builder, ask them when the last time an Olympic and X-Game gold medalist skated their creations.

This is what sets Spohn Ranch apart from other builders — real world experience. Our designs are constantly tested by the top pros in the world.

Whether concrete, steel or wood, Spohn Ranch is the #1 custom builder in skateparks.

Spohn Ranch was called in to build a custom mini-ramp for Shaun White, gold medalist in both the Olympics and the X-Games. Even though the ramp was for an HP ad, it still had to be safe and skateable, even with Shaun pulling big moves.

Rory, originally uploaded by Collin Martin.

Some nice photography by Collin Martin at Spohn Ranch’s Centennial Skatepark in Lemont, IL. This was a 2006 SpohnCrete skate plaza that has become an area favorite. SpohnCrete’s ability to act as a retaining wall let Lemont build a multi-tiered street plaza without extensive site work, especially important due to high-water tables. The city’s time table was tight, but even with excessive rains, Spohn Ranch installed the park on time and on budget.

 

Skatestoppers are not the answer, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

This is a park near my house in Southern California. The city accidentally built skateable art, then put ugly metal skate deterrents on top. This isolates skaters from the community and uses city money to discourage physical activity. For the same cost, the city could have built the pieces with stainless steel edging which would stand up to grinding & board slides. This would create a positive community space where skaters are accepted as valid community members who deserve adequate space and funding to practice their sport.

Skatelite bowl custom construction, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

The spohn ranch shop guys have been working overtime to get this bowl out the door for a amazing project in the Phillipines. Pardon the camera phone quality, but we can’t give away too many tricks of the trade.