El Paso Skatepark Ditch

[Carter Dennis]

I get very excited when seeing a project like this. Similar to the first time I saw Lincoln City.

Anyways I would not compare this ditch to Lincoln City, but like Lincoln City this is the kind of skatepark that could change the perception on skateparks and how and where they should be built.

Apparently a neighborhood in El Paso was interested in building a skatepark. They had in mind a flat slab of concrete with ramps. However, two local skaters Paul Zimmerman and PC were able to convince a general contractor and home builder to convert one of the drainage ditches into a skateable ditch with tranny.

To learn more about Paul's association click here:

http://www.elpasoskatepark.org/index.htm

I hope this project can make cities think differently on how a public skatepark can be implemented in their community than just a flat slab with ramps.

MULTI USE!

[Darrell Lowrance]

Awesome! Big props to Paul and PC for their enormous success in this project. We've talked about doing something like this in Pflugerville and Hutto, but it seems like someone always raises objections once the idea starts getting some traction.

Definitely keep us updated. I'm very curious to hear how the quality turns out. Looks like they're handstacking the trannies. Don't get me wrong though ...anything will be better than broom-finished flatwalls.

[Carter Dennis]

This was actually discussed in Schertz, TX as well. In 2001, I met with the city and Kyle Carje of RCMC Skateparks. The city manager took us on a walk through the drainage area they wanted to convert into a multi-use skateable ditch. Unfortunately, this project never panned out and Schertz still does not have a skatepark.

Anyways progress continues on the El Paso ditch park. Paul sent some more pictures today.

[Darrell Lowrance]

So Carter, any handpoured coping blocks in the works...??

[Paul Zimmerman]

The original design we offered to Winton Homes/Bain Construction really got scaled back a lot because the "ditch had to first serve its intended purpose of moving water."

Full design/construction photo story is being posted on Photobucket:
http://s626.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... mview=grid

Basically, after PC heard Winton wanted to provide a skatepark amenity in the new subdivision (technically, it's in Santa Teresa, NM at the corner of Artcraft & McNutt) he convinced the home builder to talk to us about doing a ditch conversion instead of ramps on slab. The subdivision master plan called for building a drainage ditch anyway and Winton was open-minded enough to "bend the concrete in our favor."

I think Bain is taking a small hit financially (because pouring and finishing radius stuff is more time and labor intensive than powuring basic ditch banks) but they're willing to do it because "Winton is a good customer."

Jim from Bain is in control - he's done a lot of concrete work, but never a skatepark type thing. He made the radius forms a little tighter than the mellow 5 foot RA at 3 feet tall that we spec'd, but we like it! Makes it a little more gnarly like a ditch should be!

We'll have some small 5-6 foot bowls bowls at the top that will not affect moving water - a tight round on upper left (looking from the bottom) and a rounder bowl with a hip on the right side, possibly a roll in up there. The wings from the inlet pipe housing kind of mess things up a bit and we could have some dead ends there, but all in all not bad.

Retro-fitting some pool coping and cinder block vert extensions are definitely in the works!

Next week will be interesting - the project's got good momentum and could be done by Friday.

I am pretty impressed by the workmanship on the 5 foot tall handstacks - just a few little ripples, but no major kinks so far.

I'll update the progress and should have some action shots as soon as the slick curing agent wears off a bit (I bruised my ass just toying around with a litle FS kickturn - hurts so good!)

Winton says he want to do some media on this and hopefully we can use it as a template to show City/County leaders the viability of dual-purpose infrastrucuture.

Gracias y suerte,

[Ashley Mott]

Hi Paul, I am sure someone asked this, but how did you get around safety concerns? Isn't there flash flooding in EP from time to time? Sorry, not trying to be a downer, just curious. Awesome project!

[Darrell Lowrance]

Thanks for all the details and your involvement, Paul. Definitely very exciting. Since the homebuilder is driving this project, I have to wonder exactly how close the homes will be to this ditch. Is the ditch in a park or greenbelt area, away from the homes?

[Paul Zimmerman]

It does flash flood from time to time in that specific area - keeping sand out of the ditch will be an ongoing process.

I am uncertain about how safety/liability issues will be addressed here because it is a homebuilder-driven project and not property of the City of Santa Teresa, NM. It has not been discussed with us.

My buddy PC was interested in buying a home in this new subdivision and did mention something about a "homeowners association" fee. Maybe the same safety/liability strategies used by these associations with playgrounds and swimming pools would apply, especiallly if you're advertising this as a "skatepark" and not just a "drainage ditch" that folks are generally encouraged to stay out of.

Darrell - this is not a "greenbelt" per se, more of a "sand belt" about 100 yards wide built in the middle of an up-and-coming residential neighborhood. The closest houses will be across the street and one block down from the top of the ditch.


Grind on,

[Paul Zimmerman]

Amigos:

After almost 2 weeks of hard work by the Bane Construction crew, the Edgemont ditch project is finished.

Full design/construction photo story is being posted on Photobucket:
http://s626.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... mview=grid

This project was pretty challenging due to the fact all radius walls (including 2 bowl sections) were handstacked with 2 inch slump, 3/4 inch aggregate concrete. The Bane crew (normally pouring curbs and sidewalks) really embraced the project and took a lot of pride in the build.

On the impov side, we built some cool roll ins, kickers off the wing walls, and a rolled edge lip at the big bowl hip.

Word from Winton Homes is that this will be a drainage ditch, not a public skatepark or skate spot. Signage will alert the public to danger of flash flooding during rain storms. Upon completion the ditch is "handed over to the city" and becomes their property.

We can't wait for the slick curing agent to wear off a bit (just ask Jaime about his concussion) so we can carve this baby up at full speed!

Gracias todos,

[seth_johnson]

The Bane crew (normally pouring curbs and sidewalks) really embraced the project and took a lot of pride in the build.

They deserve a lot of credit. It's apparent that they worked hard to make this turn out well.

Congrats! Great skate spot.

Seth