Replacing Pre-fab with Concrete

Replacing Pre-fab with Concrete

Many communities are faced with a choice when their pre-fab park deteriorates or becomes overused. Add more ramps or, the better choice, build a concrete skatepark.

Some communities choose to build a new park, either on the same site or in a (hopefully) better location.

The old Cannington Skatepark was mostly DIY on an asphalt pad.

The new Cannington Skatepark (AKA Bunkland) is built on a different location on the community centre property.

Some pre-fab park are placed on a concrete pads. If the pad is in good condition, some communities in agreement with the design/build crew, build onto the existing cement to create a new park. I'm not sure of the full cost savings but I have seen that skateparks cost ~40$ per square foot.  

White Oaks Park in London was updated with more pre-fab before being replaced.

The fasten points for the old flat bar are still visible (bar is in the photo above).

Additional levels increase the skatepark users experience. 

The old Clinton park featured a vert ramp but the park had been decommissioned long before the new park was planned.

When Clinton Community Park was revitalized, the skatepark was built, incorperating the the old concrete pad. Playgrounds, a Picnic Shelter & a Splash Pad were added.

The Brighton Skatepark in 2013. Fenced in like a prison yard. The rails and ledges were set in a circular pattern while the ramps were placed in a line across the park.

The new Brighton Skatepark has a quarter with a roll-in, a central ledge/manny pad feature, a 1/2 volcano and a flow bowl.

Central Feature aka Option Island

Tight and fun new flow bowl.  The Town worked on a total design/build budget 265K (as I understand from FB) and while the reception is mixed, I think they got a good amount of new terrain for that price.

The old ramps were also utilized. The park is now open and features a table with shade structure.

The Build Crew, Radius Skateparks, are skatepark experts and skaters themselves. They took the concept and made some adjustments and replacements, resulting in a much better park.

Despite 15-20yr warranties, most pre-fab ramps will degrade over time and some modular ramp companies have closed up shop. The Skatepark Project (formerly The Tony Hawk Foundation) found that ~50% of pre-fab parks in the USA close within 4 years. The Skatepark Project considers pre-fab parks as 'temporary skateparks' and stopped providing grants to anything but free, public, outdoor concrete skateparks years ago.