The New Lauridsen Skatepark Is Officially Open Just In Time For Summer!

The local skaters of Des Monies, Iowa have something big to smile about this summer; a brand new 88,000 sf waterfront skatepark. Designed and built by California Skateparks this world-class skatepark has it all; literally!

The skatepark officially opened May 7th 2021 and celebrated their amazing park by hosting the 2021 Dew Tour!

FEATURES

• PARK COURSE | The Lauridsen Park course design is consistent with professional-level park course venues, such as those on the Vans Park Series world tour, and is capable of hosting amateur through world-class professional events. Terrain Details: Depth range 5-10 feet, hips, extensions, escalators, layback walls, gaps, rails, transfers, elevation changes, pipe coping, pool coping, and pool tile.
  

• STREET COURSE | The Lauridsen Street Course Design is consistent with professional-level Street Course venues, such as those on the Street League world tour, and is capable of hosting amateur through world-class professional events. Terrain Details: 10 Ledges types including straight, out, banked, hubba, and down ledges; 11 rail types including, flat, down, out, round and square; four different stair sets, and an array of banks, gaps, hips, and transfer lines.
  

• SKATE PROMENADE | At nearly a quarter-mile in length, the Skate Promenade is a one-of-a-kind skate park element and is one of the most iconic features of the Lauridsen Skatepark. Utilizing the previously existing Riverfront Road’s footprint, the Skate Promenade is a 38-foot wide concrete promenade populated with street skating features and open space. Terrain Details: Cantilevered quarter pipes, mini-ramp, beginner street section, curbs, banks, hipped-banks, flat-rails, bump-to-bump, A-frame rail, ledge-gap, mailbox-curb, out-ledges, out-rail, banked ledges, manual-pad, pump-bumps.
  

• AMOEBA POOL | The culmination of all the good things that pool skating offers in a safe and legal public park. Terrain Details: 5’-10” shallow end, 8’-6” deep end, pool coping, pool tile.
  

• FLOW BOWL | The Flow Bowl is a junior-sized Park Course designed to promote skill progression for beginning and intermediate transition skaters while allowing for advanced skater use for more technical transition skating. The Flow Bowl facilitates recreational skating and event training and can host amateur, local, and regional events. Terrain Details: Depth range 4-7 feet, hips, extensions, escalators, Spine, pump-bump, layback walls, transfers, elevation changes, pipe coping, pool coping, and pool tile.
  

• WOW SKATE ART FEATURE | The WOW skateable art feature is located within the southern portion of the Promenade and is constructed of ¾-in thick steel plate that is 84-feet long, 4-feet wide, and 12-feet tall. Each letter of the word allows for various skateboarding opportunities that can occur independently or in conjunction with skateboarding elements along the Promenade.

• ADDITIONAL NOTEWORTHY PARK FEATURES | Lauridsen Skatepark also includes competition level 16-Stair and Four-Flat-Four-Stair, a Snake Run, and dozens of hips, banks, and ledges located around the perimeter of the park.

REASON BEHIND THE DESIGN Design inspiration was gathered from plazas and architecture found around the world to create the design for the skatepark. At a base level, the skatepark is intended to provide safe, fun and challenging opportunities for skate­ boarders and spectators alike. The terrain maintains a focus on modern street/park and elements with an orientation towards beginner through advanced level users of all ages. Design con­siderations also address the opportunity for users to grow and progress in their skills. The park has the ability to host a variety of events including demos, competitions and concerts. Attention has been given to incorporating a safe pedestrian walkway and inviting viewing/socializing areas.

“The park has the ability to host a variety of events including demos, competitions and concerts. Attention has been given to incorporating a safe pedestrian walkway and inviting viewing/socializing areas.”

At more than 88,000 square feet of skate-able terrain, the design consists of several main areas. The promenade, featuring multiple skate elements including a skateable sculpture entitled “WOW,” competitive street and park courses, a snake run, junior flow bowl, an amoeba Pool, and a large “spectator park” located along Second Avenue, featuring a switchback trail that gives access to the park from Second Avenue. The entire skate park was heavily influenced by the existing topography of the land and the water table. The design also responds to the powerful currents of the river. The snake run lends itself to the flow of water at high speeds. Features were meticulously designed for optimum functionality and to reflect the true power of skateboarding.