If you dream of having your own skatepark, we have some ideas to help you make it a reality.
Few things compare to the thrill of entering a fresh and well-designed skatepark. In recent years, skateparks have been emerging almost everywhere in major cities, which is fantastic. However, if you live in remote areas, this may be small consolation, as hours of commuting can waste valuable time you could spend on the ramps.
But don't worry—with a bit of money and dedicated effort, you can build your own setup in your backyard or on the street within a few hours or days, depending on the option you choose.
Buy or Build and Let Your Imagination Run Free
If building a skatepark from scratch seems daunting, you can opt to buy some elements. Freshpark and Rampage offer a range of high-quality ramps, rails, and fly-outs perfect for home use, schools, and local skateparks. We guarantee you'll be amazed at how much fun a simple fly-out can provide at a very low cost. Here are a few examples:
Also, check out these skatepark elements from Freshpark and Rampage.
With a few of these elements, you'll have hundreds of combinations and lines to choose from, giving you the chance to create the skatepark of your dreams. Freshpark and Rampage products can easily be combined 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 / Four-way Funbox - A four-sided ramp with a flat section at the top.
- Mini Ramp - Resembles the quarter pipe but is usually 5ft or smaller.
Want to Build? Choose an Element
Funboxes, mini ramps, quarter pipes, rails, launch ramps, and more—you get the idea. There are many elements to choose from for your DIY project.
This article focuses on the steps involved in building a smaller construction like 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 very expensive.
Choose the Right Materials
Next, choose the right materials for the project.
If you live in an area with long winters, frequent storms, or a very humid climate, you'll want to choose materials that can withstand these conditions. Especially for the plywood, it's important to 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 dozens of 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 that you don't place the construction directly on grass or ground. Even treated wood will take unnecessary damage if treated this way. My best advice is to level the ground and put tiles under the construction," he says.
Many blueprints and construction plans don't mention screw details. 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
Luckily, you're not the first to build your own mini ramp. The internet is your friend, and there are dozens of step-by-step construction plans available. Some are free, and some cost a few bucks.
Rick Dahlen is a DIY dad who published his 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 place to find design templates is xtremeskater.com, where you can find blueprints for various jumps, rails, ramps, etc.
A decent mini ramp can be built for the same price as a PlayStation. This is, of course, said with a decent buffer, as the quality of materials you choose can increase the project budget. We recommend spending a little extra on materials to enhance durability and extend the ramp's lifespan.
Start Building and Get Skating
Anders Pödenphant, an experienced ramp builder, can build a mini ramp in about 20 hours. But if it's your first time working on a big construction like this, he estimates you should spend around 30 hours on the project, 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 high and permanent construction, you should research local zoning laws. In most neighborhoods, zoning laws regulate the height of backyard structures and their proximity to neighboring properties.
If your skate construction vision conflicts with local rules, you'll need a special permit to proceed or reconsider the design or placement in the garden. Otherwise, the local council may force you to remove the construction and issue a fine—to you or your parents.
