On August 28th, 2010 the City of Airdrie celebrated the grand opening of its first skatepark: the 20,000 square foot Chinook Winds Skatepark.

The event was well attended, with the Mayor cutting the ribbon to officially open the park. The snake run, bowl, and street are were all used equally by skaters of all ages. Demos, product tosses, and best-trick competitions marked the day and everyone seemed to have a perpetual smile on their face.

Here are some photos and video links from the event:
(thanks to JDub Photographic for the images)

http://www.vimeo.com/14561798

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjgV1mNuwl8

Months of buzz became a reality this July 4th as Western Canada's first legitimate pool style bowl opened in Vancouver's Historic Kensington Park!

Enjoy our latest addition to Vancouver's world renowned skatepark system, located at the corner of Dumfries and E 37th Streets. The grand opening will be held on July 17th. Read more about it in The Province.

Phase one of the new Boerne Skate Plaza is now complete!  The quilt-work inspired design nestles seamlessly into the surrounding tree-lined hill country site.  Already jam packed and stamped for approval by Boerne locals, this is a one of a kind must skate street destination on your next road trip.  If you are in the area, please attend the grand opening on Saturday, June 26th. Information below:

Construction of the nearly 40,000 sqft destination plaza in Sunland Park, NM is now underway after almost 2 years of advocacy and fundraising by the local skate community!  Designed by New Line Skateparks in partnership with Rob Dyrdek/The Rob Dyrdek Foundation, the plaza will serve as one of the Nation's largest high-profile street skating venues upon completion.  Below are a handful of renderings of the development -- check back soon for more information on this landmark project!

The community of Spryfield, NS is now home to a brand new park. Check out the park profile for details.

Check out the Brushy Creek Skatepark in Cedar Park, Texas. Phase one of the park is complete and we have new photos of the park in the Projects section.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news, photos, videos, and designs.

www.facebook.com/newlineskateparks

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The new park in London, Ontario was recently completed. Check the park project page for more information on the park including pictures, description, and video.

New Line's latest international project is complete. The 10,000 square foot park in Vaxjo, Sweden opened last week and the local skaters are thrilled. Check the park profile for more photos and details. The official grand opening was on September 19th. Also check out www.vaxjoskate.se for more photos like the ones below. Click here for video of the event featuring the Streetlab team.

Construction has begun on the 20,000 square foot Chinook Winds skatepark in Airdrie, AB. Check out these renderings for a feel of how amazing this park will be!

The Seattle Center Sea SK8 park is now open! A good mix of street and transition sent the locals into a frenzy on opening day. Did we mention there are skateable sculptures and a glass wallride?!! Check out the photos below. Thanks to Seattle Skateparks.

The crew from Monke Skateboards is hitting some of BC's best parks this summer!
First on the agenda is King of the Concrete, a skate competition that is open to all. It's being held at the Thomas Haney Plaza in Maple Ridge on June 25th. Check the poster below for more details.
From there the team meets up with the Kitsch posse and heads out to the Island for a little tour. They'll be hitting Vic West, Nanaimo, and Campbell River parks, among others. There is a poster with all the dates and times below.

The City of El Mirage is now home to Arizona's first skate plaza! Read more about the project and view more photos of the completed plaza here. The park will open this summer so watch for details.

The Spring 2009 issue of SBC Skateboard Magazine and the April 2009 issue of Concrete Skateboarding both have articles about New Line and Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. Read the articles below:

Dyrdek + New Line = The Fantasy Factory Plaza
Concrete Skateboarding magazine, Vol.2, #99 (April ‘09), p.92
 
words: Frank Daniello  

Prior to a working relationship developing between Rob Dyrdek and New Line Skateparks, it’s doubtful that Kyle Dion ever thought his park design skills would eventually find their way onto the set of Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory – MTV’s second series featuring the DC Pro.
Dyrdek’s alignment with the Metro Vancouver-based skatepark outfit began when his initial push to get quality skate plazas built in the US exposed him to some of New Line’s advanced projects in Canada.
“It started when Rob came up to skate the Vancouver plaza just after the Kettering, Ohio plaza had opened,” explains Dion, President of New Line Skateparks Inc. “Kettering was marked as the first skate plaza, which was great for the movement, but the Vancouver one was actually done about a year before that, in 2003. He’d also heard about The Forks in Winnipeg after it just opened in 2006, because all these Pros were talking about it.”
Dyrdek was able to spend a lot of time developing the Kettering design, and he wanted the whole plaza movement to evolve further. However, once he got involved with MTV’s Rob & Big, he couldn’t balance the full-time commitment that being a skatepark designer requires. In 2006, Dyrdek was doing some consulting on a large-scale plaza in Sunland Park, New Mexico ­– a project that called upon New Line’s design expertise.
“We just came in and made it completely skateable,” says Dion. “After that process, Rob was pretty sold on us and it led to another plaza project in Santiago, Chile. DC distributors from around the world started contacting DC and asking about this plaza foundation [Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation]. The way the foundation works is the municipality raises money for the project locally, and the foundation provides a New Line design for the project. We’re helping to push the vision of the plaza outside of the foundation as well, and they’re helping to push us. It’s a pretty good relationship.”
With a collaborative partnership in place and some successful skatepark projects already established, there was a natural inclination for Dyrdek to involve Dion and Trevor Morgan (Vice President of New Line) when the Fantasy Factory’s development timeline reached the hyper-speed levels of “T-Rex” – Dyrdek’s three-wheeled superbike.
“The idea for the show was that Rob wanted to create a place where he was basically like Willy Wonka and makes all his dreams come true. We started talking in September ’08,” Dion explains. “I literally flew down to LA, and we locked ourselves in a room for 14 hours to work out a design. Construction on the concrete plaza started like a week later and California Skateparks got involved. Probably from when Rob and I had the initial discussion, they were filming four weeks later. It was crazy. His office structure in the Fantasy Factory was actually designed by a production person from MTV, so we kind of worked off that. The plaza has integrated landscaping, and the colours and textures that were chosen turned out really well. Since the floor is concrete, we built the plaza up on these big styrofoam blocks. Rob’s office is raised since it has a garage underneath for his T-Rex car thing, and a spiral staircase leads up. He also wanted to be able to skate directly out of his office, so the plaza flows out from there.”

 mtv.ca/fantasyfactory
concreteskateboarding.com

SBC Skateboard Magazine Spring 2009

On Tuesday the movement continued in Los Angeles as Skate Plaza visionary Rob Dyrdek opened the world's first Safe Spot, Skate Spot at Lafayette Recreational Park. A thousand kids were joined by LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, camera news crews and reporters, a Fuel TV crew, and magazine reps. The locals, their families, the DC team and the industry were all on hand for the opening of skateboarding's newest landmark, and the start of the era of the Safe Spot Skate Spot.

In early 2008, New Line Skateparks began working alongside Rob Dyrdek to expand the Plaza Foundation's offerings to include a program that would specifically reach out to communities with limited budgets and/or space restrictions.  The result was the creation of the Safe Spot Skate Spot Urban Renewal Development Program – and as of February 24, 2009 - the completion of Downtown LA’s first legitimate site-built concrete Skate Spot in Lafayette Park!  The park was constructed in less than 4 weeks by our friends at California Skateparks - thanks guys.  Read the full story below courtesy of DCSHOES.COM

The opening ceremonies began around three o'clock as Dyrdek got L.A. city council members up on his giant skateboard (the largest one ever made) for a little ride across the spot. It was pretty crazy to see Dyrdek, simply a great skateboarder and business owner to most of us, riding a skateboard and rubbing elbows with the mayor of one of the biggest cities in the world. Dyrdek has reached a new level for real.

Then came the welcoming speeches. In his, Dyrdek reinforced his long-term goal of making many more spots just like Lafayette all over the city of Los Angeles. Thanks to the cooperation of the city, this is the first legal street skateboarding spot of many. He said, "This is the future of the sport. We are not trying to over build and force features into a space, but creating a handful of obstacles in a place we call a spot."

Ribbon cutting was next, and Dyrdek joined LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to slice the red ribbon. The spot was officially open to the public with the sun shining but quickly setting. The kids rushed in to be among the first to session the spot, hitting the benches, stairs, handrails, and even a skateable star bank -- it's 9000 square feet of street skating in all. They'd seen it being built over the last 3 weeks from outside the fence, but Tuesday was their first real chance to skate its pristine terrain smack dab in the middle of downtown L.A.

It was a good scene to start Laffayette off right: the team, local government officials, kids and families all packing the spot to celebrate its birth. Spotted in the crowd were DC riders Rob Dyrdek, Josh Kalis, PJ Ladd, Ryan Smith, Lindsey Robertson, Greg Myers, Wes Kremer, and Marquise Henry. Also in attendance were Steve Berra, Braydon Szafranski, Giovanni Reda, and Anthony Van Engelen.

As dark fell the crowds began to disperse, with the spot open from today on as a new hub for legal street skateboarding -- no pads or tickets at this free spot. Skate it at 625 South Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles, CA 90057 (near the intersection of Commonwealth and Wilshire).

We’ll let the grand opening pictures (below) speak for themselves… For more information on the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoe Co Plaza Foundation Plaza Foundation initiatives and how you can get involved, check out www.skateplaza.com and see our featured projects section.

Rob Dyrdek and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa introduce Downtown Los Angeles' first legitimate skate spot



Wes Kremer, frontside flip to break in the Lafayette spot (photo courtesy DCSHOES.COM)



The world's largest skateboard (built by our friends CA Skateparks) makes an appearance at the grand opening celebrations!

Portland's first legitimate skate plaza is open for business!

This distinctly organic design features approximately 16,000 square feet of skateable terrain punctuated with green channels and 2 major bio filtration islands. The project is largely recognized as Portland’s first legitimate plaza based skate facility and one of the Pacific Northwest's first ‘Green’ skatepark developments. The design was developed in close collaboration with local skater and artist, Dan Garland, and features a number of custom sculptural elements, stamp patterns and diverse material combinations.

Construction was completed by our friends at California Skateparks in early February - Thanks guys!

The facility is located at Ed Benedict Park in SE Portland at about 109th and SE Powell Blvd.

A big thanks from the New Line team to everyone who worked so hard to make this project a reality!  ENJOY!

Early action pics below from Chad Balcom, skateandannoy.com, earthpatrolmedia.com

For more info, click here to see our feature profile on this park.

Ed Benedict Skate Plaza - photo: Chad Balcom



Super Unknown sailing the gap - photo: earthpatrolmedia.com



photo: KILWAG www.skateandannoy.com



Suspended Halfpipe Entry - photo: Chald Balcom



'Tread Lightly' manual cut-out - photo: Chad Balcom

New Line Skateparks has been selected by the City of Edmonton to begin work on the design and construction of an expansive skate plaza in the west end community of Callingwood.  Big plans are in store for the project with an emphasis on authentic urban form, unique materials detailing and a significant skateable sculpture component.  Design refinement work is scheduled to begin soon with an anticipated summer construction.  Keep posted for completed concept images soon!

Inspiration for some of the transition elements presented in the preliminary desgin - Frank Hirrata in Guadalajara.

Austin will soon be home to the Regoin’s first downtown plaza and modern bowl unit designed specifically for the skate and BMX community.  The $1.2 Million project is the result of a truly grass roots initiative, involving the ongoing lobby and oversight of the Austin Public Skatepark Action Committee and other passionate community volunteers and advocates.  At approximately 30,000 sqft, the project will include an expansive urban plaza and stand alone bowl complex detailed with various skateable art and sculpture installations inspired by the City’s iconic music scene.  Design development included multiple public workshops with an average attendance of 70+ members of the community.  Check out a couple pics of the workshops and some of our latest design renderings below…

On June 30th, exploding fireworks signaling the opening of the Forks Plaza could be heard around the world.  In merely seconds, barely an inch of surface was visible as over 6000 locals, top pros, politicians and international media rushed to experience what has been touted by many as this 'year's most anticipated grand opening in North America skateboarding’.

Covering a total area of over 44,000 square feet, the Forks consists of a meticulously detailed skateable sculpture plaza and expansive modern bowl complex tied seamlessly into the heart of downtown Winnipeg’s urban fabric.  Skateable terrain caters to virtually everyone with a myriad of real street and transition influenced features split into two main areas:

The plaza is another New Line first, not only in North America, but around the world.  To date, the level of aesthetic detailing, site integration, incorporation of sculpture and art, and positioning within the urban context is unmatched by existing skate facilities.  The Plaza is open to everyone across all generations and will soon tie directly into the entrance of the Canadian Human Rights museum.  

For more pics check out the following links:
http://www.newlineskateparks.com/concrete_projects_view.php?id=64
Winnipeg Skateparks

Central Plaza - 29,000 sqft.: Inspired by prized skate spots around the world and the local arts community, the main plaza area is made up of a endless combination of stair sets, banks, rails and ledges set within a host of custom sculptures and other art pieces - the majority of which are skateable. ‘Must skates’ include the notched vert wall, the 'Magic Carpet' - a super elevated ribbon track, granite capped ledges and blocks, acid etched hip, and series of slappy ledges.


















Bowl Complex: Separate and adjacent to the Central Plaza, lies an 8,500 sqft. bowl unit combining traditional pool and modern coping lines. Walls begin at 5 feet and progress through a series of hips, elevators, extensions, and a pump bump to a massive 17 foot cradle and 13 foot over vert pocket.

After a long road in the planning phase, the Kootney Lake Skatepark Society has been given the green light to develop design work for an urban skate plaza and bowl unit in the downtown core of the famed mountain community.  Look out for some truly unique design detailing as Nelson will undoubtedly be showcasing it's renowned art community throughout development.  New Line will begin concept work with project partner van der Zalm + associates immediately for a planned construction window of Fall 2007/Spring 2008.

Ryan Bobier - Gap to Nose Grind at New Line's Prince Albert Skatepark Photo: Owen Woytowich

Thank you Canada!
From Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia, park development has never been stronger. The NLS team has hit the ground running in 2006 for the most municipal concrete skateparks to date. Everyone at the office and in the field would like to pass on their thanks - we've made a lot of new friends over the last 7 years and we're looking forward to making many more!

Start planning your road trips now. The prairies will be looking more like B.C's lower main land than feilds of wheat this year. 10 new NLS parks - yes 10 - are already in the works across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, including the North America's largest urban skate plaza and bowl complex (The Forks) in downtown Winnipeg.

Out east, watch out for new parks opening in Brockville, Hamilton, Acton, Saugeen Shores, Orangeville, Wychward Barns (T.O.), Colonel Sam Sanders Park (T.O.) and a couple more we'll keep a secret for now.

In the Maritimes, locals will be stoked on Bathurst, NB's soon to be completed park as well as a new skatespot on the Shearwater Department of National Defense Base near Halifax, NS. More are in the works here too - keep posted for the latest news.

Finally, B.C. is still leading the charge with a host of new parks set to open on the Island and throughout the interior.

We'll bring you up to speed on a couple of other projects underway south of the border and over the Atlantic in the next weeks. For now, hope for an early spring and we'll see you out skating soon. Thank you again Canada!

Check out the latest Forks construction pics



The construction of this cradle is another story in itself - it was transported to the site by police escort in the wee morning hours before this shot was taken by local media



Volunteer day at the park (Penticton)



Check out the latest construction photos of Penticton (BCs largest skatepark to date) The bowl unit 'shaping up'

The Zero team recently visited New Lines newest concrete beauty in Kamloops BC on their way to Slam City Jam. All the riders loved the park and took no time to 'destroy' all the handrails and ledges that grace this amazing park. Look for photos of the demo in the kamloops projects folder.

Plaza Fever
The success of the Vancouver Skate Plaza has swept beyond the local press, finding it's way into even more international media coverage and sparking the development of 2 more plaza projects by New Line Skateparks Inc. This month, check out the Vancouver Skate Plaza Case Study written by internationally respected skatepark advocacy group: Skaters for Public Skateparks. The article may be found online here.  The full story includes a history of the Vancouver project and it's process as well as a number of interviews from pro skaters to the New Line team and the Vancouver Skatepark Coalition.

If you want to see what skating the Vancouver Skate Plaza is all about check out this link. Or check out the 3d pano here.

Now, on the topic of new projects... 2 more New Line designed plazas are scheduled for construction. If everything goes as planned, our friends down south in Wilmington, Delaware and the locals in Winnipeg, Manitoba will soon be home to what will be now a trio of World Class 'real street' gems. Check our concrete projects page soon for the full stories and concept renderings of each plaza.

The Forks Skate Plaza Concept Now Complete!! Check the latest images here. 

After six year's of hard work, street skaters in Vancouver now have a great new skate spot to session. The park was recently opened to the masses and so far it's been nothing but big smiles and amazing sessions. Special attention was focused on the details of this park and as a result skaters now have a legitimate spot to skate granite ledges, a brick bank hip and a number of other fun and unique items.