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Over the past ten years, skatepark design traditionally has been in the hands of qualified skatepark designers who are also licensed Landscape Architects, like Michael R. McIntyre of SITE Design Group, Inc., a skater who carved out a niche amongst the ever growing need for quality skateparks across America.
The design-based approach has been the most common method for developing the majority of skateparks throughout the U.S. With this approach, a skatepark is designed by a professional Landscape Architect, publicly bid on by qualified contractors, then built with assistance from the architect of record. The client works with an expert who is qualified in all aspects of skatepark design; one who understands the municipal process, can lead a team consisting of various architectural and engineering disciplines such as geo-technical, civil and electrical engineering, has an in-depth knowledge of skatepark design and construction methodology, takes an artistic and aesthetic approach to incorporating a permanent recreational feature into the existing landscape and has many years of skateboarding experience. It is essential for skatepark designers to have extensive experience in skateboarding and to know how to ride the architecture they are creating. Further, they need to know how to create timeless designs that accommodate both street and transitional skaters at all skill levels and understand skateboarding circulation patterns throughout the park.
A skatepark/landscape architecture firm can successfully lead a design team and provide a wide range of services which include preparing feasibility studies, assisting in site selection and master planning. They handle all aspects of conceptual and schematic design including conducting public workshops and providing feedback analysis, they perform all the tasks of design development including cost estimating, preparing site plans, isometric and 3-D graphic renderings, material plans, in-house production of 100 percent biddable, professionally sealed construction documents and coherent specifications detailing every aspect of the skate parks construction.
Typically, a series of site visits scheduled at key phases during construction are made to observe the work being performed. This protects the client and the contractor by helping to ensure the project complies with the plans and specifications. The site visits further help to guarantee that the design intent is interpreted correctly and what is being built is the best it can be for the users. If adjustments and alterations to the design need to be made during construction, the skatepark architect is available to advise and assist. The design approach is one that works exceptionally well, as is evident by the hundreds of successful, durable and notable parks that exist across the United States. These parks not only continue to receive great praise from pro-skaters, the industry trade magazines, the municipalities that own the parks, the local community and the skater public at large, but have also been predominately built on time and within budget.
SITE Design Group, Inc. has utilized the design approach to create over 100 parks throughout the U.S. and overseas, with the majority of their projects having been built by local general contractors who were awarded the construction contract through the competitive bid process. The successful development of most of these parks can be partly attributed to assistance offered by the designer through construction observation services, construction management, and the pre-qualification of specialty skatepark contractors. The exceptions are the few communities that have forgone construction observation and the requirement of having a specialty contractor involved during the key phases of construction. Qualified skatepark designers assist their clients by pre-qualifying up to three specialty skatepark contractors, who are then subsequently hired by the general contractor to provide specialty skatepark construction services such as fine grading, coping fabrication and installation, shotcrete application and shotcrete finishing. The result is parks that are not only built with high quality craftsmanship, but parks that are built on-time and within budget. This scenario further benefits the local economy through the hiring of local contractors, sub-contractors and other skilled laborers.
Landscape architecture firms specializing in skatepark design and development are versatile and have the ability to provide not only the design/construction observation approach, but the design/assist build approach or the design/build approach, the latter teaming with either a CM@Risk or with a general contractor. In all scenarios, the client gains the advantage of having the added value of a professional Landscape Architect/skatepark designer who understands every aspect of design and construction. Further, the Landscape Architect professionally seals their own drawings and carries the proper amount of professional insurance thereby reducing the client?EUR??,,????'???s risk and liability in relation to the skatepark design.
Be wary of designers and builders who claim they are qualified. Confirm with the American Society of Landscape Architects and the contractor?EUR??,,????'???s registrar that they hold valid licensure and insurance and that they possess the experience and qualifications to design and build concrete skateparks. This protects the client in the event of any lawsuit related to design or construction.
Due to practice act and title act laws regarding landscape architecture, companies that do not carry the proper licensure are not legally permitted to design public skateparks. Depending on each state?EUR??,,????'???s laws, licensure requires a bachelor?EUR??,,????'???s degree in landscape architecture or engineering, a set number of years working under the direct supervision of a licensed Landscape Architect or engineer, as well as requiring the passing of vigorous professional testing.
Design/build skatepark contractors, therefore, are usually unable to contract design services except in states that do not require licensure such as Washington and Colorado.
The design/build approach provides a loophole that circumvents most cities?EUR??,,????'??? requirements for contracting design services: the rules governing design/build do not require the participation of a licensed designer so many skatepark contractors began pushing the design/build method of delivery.
As mentioned, skatepark design/build companies typically don?EUR??,,????'???t have the experience and technical expertise in landscape architecture and engineering, are unable to prepare and then professionally seal their own construction documents and are unable to procure the adequate professional errors & omissions insurance particular to skatepark design. This potentially puts the client at risk for problems or flaws associated with design and construction should a lawsuit ensue.
Many skateparks have been plagued with design and construction flaws that can be traced to lack of obtaining and understanding a geo-technical report, proper grading and drainage, inadequate construction methodology, inappropriate concrete and shotcrete mix designs and most importantly the lack of an in depth understanding of every aspect of skateboarding. Even if a city requires a design/build company to team with a Landscape Architect to prepare and seal the construction documents, most Landscape Architects are not familiar with the specific nuances of skatepark design and construction, so often times the documents lack the level of detail necessary for the project to go out to public bid. Again, the client is at risk in this situation. While the design/build approach has its benefits and is a viable way to develop skateparks if done legitimately, the design based approach remains the most utilized and most successful approach to developing the majority of skate facilities in the U.S.
As far as costs are concerned, there are many variables that determine if there will be a savings for the client. Typically in the case of the design/build approach, all of the available funds go to the design/build company. In order to determine if there are any savings with the design/build approach, the client must ask imperative questions such as: What services are provided for that price? Does the price include the costs for a site survey, a geo-tech report, civil engineering, structural engineering or electrical engineering? Does the price include any surrounding landscaping such as plantings, pathways, shade ramadas, spectator seating or parking? Does it include the cost of lighting, and if so, what type? Does it include the cost of fencing and if so, what type, ornamental or chain link? How high is the fence and is the area gated? Often times the cost per square foot for a facility given by design/build companies excludes many of these services and amenities. A client must be prepared to ask these questions and make sure the contract provides for all assumed services affiliated with skatepark design and construction.
There are some valid benefits of the design/build method that cannot be disputed: The first is that there is time savings. Provided the client has all the funds available to design and build the project right away, the contractor can mobilize and begin the initial earthwork as the design and construction documents are being finalized. This means during a small portion of the project, construction and design can occur simultaneously. This is beneficial for client?EUR??,,????'???s under time constraints that often come with utilizing grant funds.
A second benefit is the reduced administrative efforts for the client in the preparation associated with reviewing and awarding two projects-one being design, and the other being construction-versus one, with the design/build process. Also, with the design/build method, all correspondence is handled between the client and the contractor, as the contractor is typically the main point of contact.
Another important benefit is the opportunity and ability to make adjustments and alterations to the design during construction. This is an aspect of creating skateparks that should be acceptable for every approach considering that it will not cause a cost increase, jeopardize the integrity of the skateparks design or construction and still adequately accommodate the client and the end user.
Despite what some companies offer as benefits, such as this is the only way you will be guaranteed a quality park or by going design/build the design is free, these statements are not entirely true and misleading. Designs are not necessarily free; the cost is easily hidden in the construction costs. Poor quality design and construction is always a possibility with specialized projects like a skatepark, which is why the client must make sure they are protected.
Should something go wrong who pays for the defects? The client cannot complain to the governing licensure board if the designer or builder is not licensed. The client cannot sue the design/build companies insurance company for design or construction flaws, if they are not insured. Whatever cost savings seems to exist, the client forgoes at their own risk having a guaranteed, bonded, insured, licensed design and construction job. Also, they often do not receive the highest quality end product. Many contractors including design/build companies, have been known to cut corners to keep their costs down. They use materials that are of a lesser quality and at times change the design and construction methods in the field without the client?EUR??,,????'???s knowledge or approval.
If the cost-cutting methods become evident in the final product and it causes increased wear and tear to the facility, the attempt to minimize expenses will ultimately result in an inferior skatepark that won't stand the test of time. In other words, the design/build method might save dollars initially, but the client puts themselves at risk to potentially own an inferior facility that overtime, with maintenance and repairs, will cost them additional money and increase their liability.
With the design approach, the funds are proportioned to both the design firm as well as the contracting firm. With the design approach, a client can be assured that when an experienced and qualified, licensed skatepark designer is hired, the designer will be able to comprehensively answer questions such as: How is the design appropriate for the given site? How can we value engineer this project to meet our budget without sacrificing the integrity of the park? How will the various climatic and soil conditions affect the shotcrete or impact below and above ground concrete structures? The client can further be assured of true competitive prices and adequately compare the detailed services offered by each firm. Unless a design/build contract is awarded to a team whereby the design is provided by a qualified designer (a landscape architecture firm specializing in skatepark design) and construction provided by an experienced, bonded contractor who holds a general engineering license and specializes in skatepark construction, one must ask, who does the design/build approach really benefit? The builder? Or the client and the community?
Regardless of method of delivery eventually chosen by each client, it is recommend that in the RFP process, the client state that in order for a designer to be considered for the project they must be professionally trained, licensed and insured with a one million dollar E&O policy, in additional to carrying all the required worker?EUR??,,????'???s compensation for each and every staff and crew member and general liability insurance. Make sure if they have construction crews on site that they are paying state taxes. It is also suggested that clients always ask for certificates of insurance and proof of licensure to be included in the proposal as often, these contractor-based firms lack the proper design insurance and often the proper construction insurance, which poses risk to the client. Finally, it is recommended that clients call as many references as they can find and ask questions regarding the design process, the construction process, costs, durability, popularity of each facility, and the overall experience with the companies hired. Make sure a qualified professional landscape architect with extensive experience in skateboarding and skatepark development is hired for your design needs and a qualified professional contractor with a bonded and licensed specialty skatepark sub-contractor is hired for your construction needs to protect your investment over years to come.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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