Kanten Russell

With so many amazing projects going on across North America, it is important to remember that even the small parks have a major impact! Check out the video with lead designer Kanten Russell breaking down the inspiration, process and rationale behind the newest skate spot in Escondido California. The stacked crew from Sk8Mafia show us what’s possible in the new space. Thank you to everyone involved in making this spot and video recap possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO73dTtB8A8

Once a contaminated site, the new skate park is situated under a ramp of the Zakim Bridge at the edge of the Charles River. With a new pedestrian park on one side and a commuter rail yard and gravel plant on the other, the skate park is the perfect middle ground between the contrasts of recreation and creativity and the industrial tinged edge of the skateboarding culture. Guided by the desire to create a community space, we held several public meetings to solicit input and garner support. Based… Show more

Once a contaminated site, the new skate park is situated under a ramp of the Zakim Bridge at the edge of the Charles River. With a new pedestrian park on one side and a commuter rail yard and gravel plant on the other, the skate park is the perfect middle ground between the contrasts of recreation and creativity and the industrial tinged edge of the skateboarding culture. Guided by the desire to create a community space, we held several public meetings to solicit input and garner support. Based on that input, our park design draws from the local artwork and city features that have come to define Boston’s skateboarding scene while incorporating local materials, nods to local sports teams, and other elements that mark it as uniquely Boston. Show less

Well over 10 years in the making The Encinitas Wheel Friendly Skate Plaza nears completion for an opening later this year. The goal was to have the most integrated skate park possible by not making it a "skate park". It is a park you can skate in. By making this project Barrier Free, ADA accessible, Pedestrian and Spectator Friendly we are trying to change peoples views on what spaces for skateboarding can look like. By creating a plaza you can skate in but have it look and function like the… Show more

Well over 10 years in the making The Encinitas Wheel Friendly Skate Plaza nears completion for an opening later this year. The goal was to have the most integrated skate park possible by not making it a "skate park". It is a park you can skate in. By making this project Barrier Free, ADA accessible, Pedestrian and Spectator Friendly we are trying to change peoples views on what spaces for skateboarding can look like. By creating a plaza you can skate in but have it look and function like the most popular plazas that were not necessarily made for skateboarding from the past like the Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco (EMB) or Love Park in Philadelphia we want to make this space as authentic as possible as a legitimate skate spot destination. Show less

Creativity and design expertise helped recreate history in the birthplace of the world’s first skate park.
We created this skate park by wrapping it around a retention basin, giving it a flowing look and providing wonderful views. Its aesthetics are enhanced further with an urban plaza theme, integrating a color pallet to reflect the prevalent Spanish style architecture, and a transition arch inspired by the shape of Carlsbad’s historic mission.

Located in the heart of the action… Show more

Creativity and design expertise helped recreate history in the birthplace of the world’s first skate park.
We created this skate park by wrapping it around a retention basin, giving it a flowing look and providing wonderful views. Its aesthetics are enhanced further with an urban plaza theme, integrating a color pallet to reflect the prevalent Spanish style architecture, and a transition arch inspired by the shape of Carlsbad’s historic mission.

Located in the heart of the action sport industry, the park required extensive community involvement and participation of several professional skaters during design charrettes. Responding to the comments received, we designed adequate ingress and egress to ADA compliant facilities, making the park pedestrian friendly and providing spectator views. Show less

In July 2012, Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation broke ground on the plaza project after ten years in the making. The idea came about from local skateboarders urging the department to provide a safe and legal place to skate. The skate plaza in enjoyed by skaters and spectators alike. Slightly over half of the $450,000 price tag was covered by a Healthy and Active Communities grand from the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH). The 19,000 square foot plaza blends nicely into the feel of the… Show more

In July 2012, Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation broke ground on the plaza project after ten years in the making. The idea came about from local skateboarders urging the department to provide a safe and legal place to skate. The skate plaza in enjoyed by skaters and spectators alike. Slightly over half of the $450,000 price tag was covered by a Healthy and Active Communities grand from the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH). The 19,000 square foot plaza blends nicely into the feel of the downtown scene. In 2019 the skate plaza had a cosmetic update with brighter, bolder colors replacing the original gold and tan colors. Show less