Daytona Beach : Bethune Skatepark

Local Florida skaters putting Pillar Design Studios' new skatepark in Daytona Beach to good use. 5Boro also visited the Bethune Skatepark on their southern tour and we'll get some footage up in due time. Enjoy!



We want to see your videos and photo from our skateparks. Leave a comment with a link and we'll get you posted on the site.

For more information about Pillar Design Studios or how to get a public skatepark email: nicole@pillardesignstudios.com or check out our website: www.pillardesignstudios.com

Thrasher Magazine visits Pillar Design Studio's Richmond, CA Skatepark

Thrasher Skateboard Magazine

Skatepark Design Firm of 2009 (We Think So)

It looks like 2009 is just about over. Pillar Design Studios had a busy year designing public skateparks, building parks, skating parks and planning more skateparks for 2010!

We just wanted to take a moment before the holidays to thank everyone who we worked with, the cities that contracted our skatepark design firm and all the skateboarders who worked to make everything happen.

Here is a partial list of the parks we've been a part of with links to photos, videos or reviews.

Kill Devil Hills, NC / Aviation Skatepark
Knotts Island, NC / Knotts Island Skatepark
Lower Currituck, NC / Lower Currituck Skatepark
Richmond, CA / Richmond Skate Plaza
Daytona Beach, FL / Bethune Point Skatepark
Ocean Pines, MD / Ocean Pines Skatepark
Omaha, NE / South City Skatepark
Saugerties, NY / Saugerties Skatepark
Mexico, NY / Mexico Skatepark
Durham, NC / Central Park Plaza
Stanley, VA / Stanley Skatepark
Warren County, VA / Warren County Skatepark
Loganville, GA / Bay Creek Skate - BMX Park
Corrales, NM / Robert Bell Skatepark
Raleigh, NC / City of Raleigh Skatepark

Looking forward designing and building even more parks in the new year!

For more information about public skatepark design and the skatepark process call Pillar Design Studios at 480.777.3470 or email nicole@pillardesignstudios.com

The Pillar Process is Who We Are...

Process makes the difference in everything...whether it's designing a skatepark, building a skatepark or getting a skatepark approved for your town. Below is a link to an interview we did with Skaters For Public Skateparks about why Pillar Design Studios is different in our industry.

Skaters for Public Skateparks is a non-profit skatepark advocacy organization, international in reach, dedicated to providing the information necessary to ensure safe, rewarding, freely-accessible skateparks are available to all skateboarders - based in Portland, OR.

Check out the interview here and feel free to comment on this post below. (SPS / Pillar Design Studios Interview) - Thank you to everyone for your support over the years.

New Park Openings

What's going on everyone...

Last week we had not one but two skatepark openings! Quite a busy week for Pillar Design Studios.

This is my favorite part of the process. There is so much that goes into getting a skatepark built - by both the city and the skaters. At Pillar we view our role as the liaison between the two groups.

Typically the process goes like this: Skaters, local business owners, parents, city leaders express the need for a park usually followed by numerous City Council meetings. Approval happens - funds are earmarked, allocated or raised. RFP / RFQ's go out to qualified firms to facilitate construction, educate the public and local government and design the park. Then on to selection committees to hire the best skatepark design firm possible. Site selection and design meetings (multiple design meetings with local users.) Construction document submission and ground breaking followed by a couple weeks of construction. Site walks, inspections and finally it's complete. (I bet most people had no idea it was this lengthy a process.)

Which brings me to where we are today in Durham, NC and Daytona Beach, FL - The GRAND OPENING. The most rewarding day for everyone involved in the process.

Thank you to everyone who made this happen as we were just a conduit for what you wanted!

Video of Central Park Plaza : Durham, NC
Photos from Locals Only Magazine of Bethuen Point Skatepark : Daytona Beach, FL

Please feel free to contact us to inquire about how we can help you get a park built in your city!
www.pillardesignstudios.com

SkatePark Design Approach

Recently, there has been a common question from clients: What is the best method to acquire a skatepark? Design/Build or the Design-bid-build approach? We would like to ensure every municipality, community and or private organization looking to build a skatepark is properly informed.

The design-bid-build approach has been the method used for the majority of the U.S. skateparks. The design- bid-build approach has three key advantages:

1. A Professional Landscape Architect that specializes in action sports development will be designing the facility and you have the option of choosing the most qualified, licensed and insured professional. This is an advantage to the client due to the fact that the Landscape Architect is able to seal their own drawings, has extensive knowledge on the construction process, has worked with municipalities, communities and the public process and is able to reduce the skatepark design liability for the client. By setting the criteria high with expertise and experience you are assured the best possible fit for your community.

2. The Contractor awarded the construction of the skatepark is selected through the public bid process, thus guaranteeing only qualified contractors can apply. For the project to be built per plan the contractor needs to be licensed, bonded and insured - as well as posses the experience necessary to construct the park. There is always the option of choosing a qualified specialty skatepark contractor who will work under the local general contractor and completed the specialty services such as fine grading, coping fabrication and installation, shotcrete application and shotcrete finishing. This is often appealing to municipalities since the majority of the labor is local.

3. The Designer’s assistance during the construction process is a crucial asset. Being available to answer any questions or address concerns during the critical stages of construction will eliminate any miscommunications and protect the integrity of the project. Often, the design of the park can be changed during construction which can cause the price to increase and or the design structure to be compromised. With the Designer visiting the project site at key stages, the client is protected from any unwarranted changes.

The Design/Build approach has become a popular trend in the past few years. There are advantages to this approach if a qualified company (team) is chosen. Please keep in mind that a team of professionals from a Landscape Architecture firm as well as a general contractor can also provide Design/Build services, it is not necessary to limit your choices by choosing from Design/Build companies only.

1. The City is able to reduce administrative fees due to the fact that only one RFP/RFQ process will be going held, instead of two, thus cutting the administrative time and efforts in half. An added benefit is that the city is able to deal with one main point of contact throughout the entire project; usually the contractor is the lead on a Design/Build project, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way.

2. Another advantage would be the time saving abilities. If the entire project is completely funded, the City has the option to begin the initial construction before the construction documents have been completed. This can be valuable if the project has time restrictions.

Often Cities are not aware of the risks or disadvantages of the Design/Build approach. Being completely informed and educated on the process will and can circumvent any unfortunate surprises/problems later on.

Laws and regulations were put in place to prevent unqualified individuals or companies to design recreational facilities. Thus making it illegal to design skateparks without proper licensure and insurance, rules and regulations vary from state to state. This approach provided a way for design/build companies to get around these rules and regulations that govern licensed designers. Usually, design/build companies do not have the knowledge or practical expertise in Landscape Architecture, they do not prepare or seal construction documents nor do they have the proper insurance needed to protect the client.

There is no way to compare cost between the two services. Each skatepark is unique; there are many variables that can modify the cost of a skatepark. Such as site location, lighting, amenities, etc.

When using the Design-bid-build approach from a qualified Landscape Architect / Action Sports designer you are given a breakdown of fee’s and charges as well as estimates on the construction cost through out the design phase. This ensures the design created and approved by the municipality, community and or private organization is also the park that will be constructed. Not only is the actual skatepark cost broken down, but the entire project such as lighting, restrooms, landscaping, etc. as well.

When using the Design/Build approach the entire contracted amount goes to the Design/Build Company, making it difficult to compare services. The amenities are not always included in the contract and or estimate provided. As a result the contractor does not complete the project in its entirety, leaving the burden on the client. The client must know exactly what services are included, ask questions and make sure the estimate provided covers everything needed.

Overall, the most important issue is not which method you choose but to make sure that each and every firm hired for the project has experience in Action Sports design and construction, they are licensed in their profession and have the expertise needed to complete the project successfully. It is imperative that you keep in mind when choosing a qualified Landscape Architect for your action Sport facility they must have comprehensive knowledge of skate/bmx park design. Choosing a designer that has experience in skateboarding or BMX riding is key to the success and efficiency of your park. Understanding and knowing your options will ensure you have the best end result…A world class facility that your community will enjoy for years to come.

For more information please contact us @ 480-777-3470 or nicole@pillardesignstudios.com

Welcome to the new Blog

Welcome to the new blog. We plan on using this forum as a place where information can easily be distributed to everyone regarding Pillar Design Studios, Park Progress and How you can involve Pillar in your community facility.

While we're getting things up to speed - please check out www.pillardesignstudios.com
for more information.

Thanks.