If you dream of owning a personal skatepark, we have some suggestions to help you achieve this.
Few experiences match the thrill of stepping into a new, well-designed skatepark. Recently, skateparks have been appearing in major cities everywhere, which is fantastic. However, for those in remote areas, this may offer little solace, as long travel times can eat into your valuable ramp time.
But don’t fret - with a modest budget and some dedicated effort, you can construct your own setup in the backyard or on the street within hours or days, depending on your chosen option.
Buy or Build and Let Your Creativity Soar
If building a skatepark from scratch seems daunting, consider purchasing some elements. Freshpark and Rampage offer a variety of high-quality ramps, rails, and fly-outs, ideal for home use, schools, and local skateparks. We assure you that even a simple fly-out can provide immense fun at a low cost. Here are a few examples:
Also, check out these skatepark elements from Freshpark and Rampage.
With a few of these different elements, you'll have countless combinations and lines to choose from, allowing you to create the skatepark of your dreams. Freshpark and Rampage products can easily be integrated with your own homemade constructions.
Here are a few examples:
- Quarter pipe - A single transition ramp.
- Bank - A small jump with flat sides.
- Flat rail - A flat or cylindrical metal pole used for slides and grinds.
- Fly out / Launch ramp - A small jump with a transition.
- Pyramid / Fourway funbox - A four-sided ramp with a flat section at the top.
- Mini ramp - Similar to the quarter pipe but usually 5ft or smaller.
Want to Build? Pick an Element
Funboxes, mini ramps, quarter pipes, rails, launch ramps, and more - you get the idea. There are many different elements to choose from for your DIY project.
This article focuses on the steps involved in building a smaller construction, such as a mini ramp. If your dream includes a bowl or a 12-foot by 16-foot (3.66 meters by 4.88 meters) half-pipe between the rose garden and the garage, you'll need professional help. Designing and building a bowl or a half-pipe of this size is an art form and can be very costly.
Select the Right Materials
The next step involves choosing the right materials for the project.
If you live in an area with long winters, frequent storms, or high humidity, you'll need materials that can withstand these conditions. Especially for the plywood, ensure it's water-resistant.
Alternatively, you can cover the construction when not in use and disassemble it for storage during fall and winter.
One of our skatepark designers, Anders Pödenphant, has built numerous mini ramps in Denmark, where rain and snow are common. His best advice for DIY ramp builders is:
“Apart from materials, the most important thing to consider is the underlay. It’s crucial not to place the construction directly on the grass or ground. Even treated wood will suffer unnecessary damage if handled this way. My best advice is to level the ground and place tiles under the construction,” he says.
Many blueprints and construction plans don't specify the screws to use. We recommend using 2.5" deck screws except for the plywood, where you should use 1.5" drywall screws.
Find Design Templates and Go Shopping
Fortunately, you're not the first to build a mini ramp. The internet is your ally, offering numerous step-by-step construction plans. Some are free, while others may cost a few bucks.
Rick Dahlen is a DIY dad who published blueprints for a 3-foot (91-centimeters) high skateboard mini ramp and a 4-foot (1.22 m) mini ramp. These plans can be downloaded here. Another resource for design templates is xtremeskater.com, which offers blueprints for various jumps, rails, ramps, and more.
A decent mini ramp can be built for the same price as a PlayStation. This estimate includes a buffer, as the quality of materials can affect the project budget. We recommend spending a little extra on materials to extend the ramp's durability and lifespan.
Start Building and Get Skating
Anders Pödenphant, an experienced ramp-builder, can construct a mini ramp in about 20 hours. However, if it's your first time working on a large project, he estimates it will take around 30 hours, assuming you're working alone.
So, spend five hours a day from Monday to Saturday, and you'll be done. Don’t forget to reserve Sunday for skating!
Oh! One Last Thing!
If your project inspires you to build a large, permanent structure, research local zoning laws. Most neighborhoods have regulations governing the height of backyard structures and their proximity to neighboring properties.
If your skate construction violates local rules, you'll need a special permit or reconsider the design or placement in the garden. Otherwise, the local council may force you to remove the construction and impose fines on you or your parents.
