Lauridsen Skatepark Planning and Design
When the idea of building a skatepark along the Des Moines riverfront came before the city council in 2004, no one could have envisioned the seventeen-year journey ahead to make it a reality. After years of grassroots organizing, fundraising, and more than a few design changes, the Lauridsen Skatepark became a reality. Offering over 88,000 square feet of skateable area, it was quickly billed as the largest skatepark in the United States.
Find out how our team of Landscape Architects and Structural Engineers worked with Polk County Public Works, the City of Des Moines, and California Skateparks to design and build this impressive facility — all in time to host the first Olympic qualifying event for skateboarding.
Podcast Chapters
- Introduction (0:17)
- Improving Youth Recreational Opportunities in Des Moines (1:11)
- Stakeholder & Community Organization (1:48)
- Fundraising for the Lauridsen Skatepark (3:17)
- Designing the Largest Skatepark in the Nation (5:25)
- Skatepark Site Design and Construction Challenges (5:58)
- Creating Slope Stability (6:28)
- Site Utility Coordination (6:52)
- Accommodating Varying Soil Conditions (7:47)
- Adjusting Skatepark Design for Site Conditions (8:33)
- Retaining Wall Systems (9:40)
- Park and Street Course Design (10:02)
- Incorporating Skills Development Components (11:00)
- Specialized Concrete Form Fabrication (11:50)
- Skateable Art Installation (12:54)
- The Dew Tour Considers Moving to Lauridsen Skatepark (14:16)
- Accelerating Construction to Accommodate the Dew Tour and Olympic Qualifying (15:51)
- Lauridsen Skatepark Brings Recognition to Des Moines (18:10)
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