Reed Skatepark, Mesa AZ

 by Michael Cornelius

Cities across the nation are getting with the program and building skateparks and it's about time. Reed Skatepark in Mesa AZ is the latest addition. The city poured 31,000 square feet of concrete to make a "mega pool". It contains as much cement as 50 typical backyard pools. The park consists of a very broad four to six foot deep "L" shaped bowl. The sides of the bowl have various types of transitions and obstacles. There are ledges, handrails and stairs dropping into the bowl and three obstacles in the flatbottom; a volcano, a railed funbox and a pyramid. A few vertical extensions are here and there around the rim.

Robert Locker in the Zero Bowl

The park also has a separate "Zero" shaped bowl featuring a 12 foot wide spine. It is a bit tight from spine to wall but I saw plenty of evidence that it is very ripable. Mad speed lines are possible by doing 4 wall speed carves around the spine. Behind a fence is a grommet zone with a micro bowl, level rail and low ledge.

MPEG VIDEO: Doubles Run in the Zero Bowl [250k]

The fact that the main park is mostly one huge bowl has it's up side and down side. On the up side is that it is easy to hit everything and redirect your line. The down side is that there is little traffic separation. Skaters can drop into the bowl at speed from an infinite number of spots. How much this will be a problem will depend on how popular the park proves to be.

"L" bend area with pyramid, mini volcano, stairs and rails.

There is a large grass area inside the park fence making the atmosphere truly park-like. I'm hoping that they left room for phase two though. There's plenty of grass outside the fence. All in all it is a good effort. This is another park that will show street skaters that riding transition is a skill that can't be ignored.

Funbox and rail in the top of the "L" bowl.

The city also refurbished the rest of the park with new playgrounds, new bathrooms, and new landscaping.

Joseph Reed Park is located at 1601 E. Broadway, Mesa Arizona. The park is free and has no pad requirements.

GPS info: N33.40616 W111.79567

Mid-bowl stairs and rails.

If your city isn't planning a park you should quit reading this right now and drop an email to your powers that be.