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CC - Item 6A - Skate Plaza Development UpdateIj ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGE DATE: APRIL 28, 2015 SUBJECT: SKATE PLAZA DEVELOPMENT UPDATE SUMMARY At City Council Meetings in October, November, and December 2014, the Council discussed the potential development of a skate plaza at Rosemead. Park. Discussion of the development of such a facility was limited to Rosemead Park due to land availability and the ability to fund construction with redevelopment bond proceeds. The skate plaza would be located adjacent to the southern parking lot and next to the Rosemead Aquatic Center, and would take advantage of the natural grade change in this area when designing the plaza and its features. As it is the next . pertinent step in the development process, staff has solicited proposals for design services for a skate plaza at Rosemead Park and received responses from four qualified firms. Staff Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council provide direction regarding the award of contract for a skate plaza at Rosemead Park. DISCUSSION After reviewing all City owned locations for space to develop a skateboard facility, staff has identified Rosemead Park as the best potential site for the development of a skate plaza. Initially, staff presented the idea of constructing a skateboard friendly facility adjacent to the Rosemead Community Recreation Center, however, it was determined that the available space was not sufficient for this use and the facility would be too close to adjacent homes. Again, staff reviewed all available city -owned park land and determined that Rosemead Park offers the most available. space for the construction of a skate plaza. Additionally, should this type of facility be constructed at Rosemead Park it can be funded with remaining redevelopment bond proceeds. The proposed location for this facility on Rosemead Park is near the southern parking lot, adjacent to the Rosemead Aquatic Center. This area has sufficient open space and a natural grade change, which is a desirable feature in the development of a skate plaza. This location is near to the street, which increases visibility, however, it is offset from nearby homes as to not create a disturbance. Based, on review of the location, staff believes the area could accommodate a skate plaza of approximately 10,000 —. 12,000 ITEM NUMBER: ''k City Council Meeting April 28, 2015 Page 2 of 3 square feet in size. As the City is pursuing the design of a skate plaza, as opposed to a traditional skate park, the open space would be available for other uses. Additionally, any final design proposals will include careful consideration to minimize any impacts to the adjacent fitness trail and picnic shelters In order to proceed with the next phase of design, staff distributed a request 'for proposals to firms that have experience in designing skateboard facilities in Southern California. The City received proposals from four (4) notable firms that are experienced in skateboard facility design not only across Southern California but across the United States and the world. The results of the RFP are as follows: Rank Firm Location Proposal Amount 1 Spohn Ranch Skateparks Los Angeles, CA $ 22,000.00 2 Wally Hollyday Skateparks Aliso Viejo, CA $ 28,000.00 3 California Skate Parks Upland, CA $ 38 4 Lawrence R. Moss & Associates Glendale, CA $ 50,000.00 Staff has reviewed the proposals for experience and has, determined that Spohn Ranch has the experience and expertise required to design this facility. Spohn Ranch has completed the design for skateboard facilities for the cities of Bakersfield, Gardena, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. The proposal for design services includes the generation of conceptual designs, the hosting of two community workshops, final design, and the development of construction drawings. FISCAL IMPACT The necessary funding for the award of a design contract is available in bond proceeds from the former redevelopment agency. PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. City Council Meeting April 28, 2015 Page 3 of 3 c• Prepared By: Sean Sullivan Acting Public Works Manager SubmittedLBv: Submitted By: ery- Scott ' . Matth w E. Ha kesworth s & Recreation Assistant City Manager Attachments: A. Proposal from Spohn Ranch Skateparks B. Other Proposals (Copies Available in the City Clerk's Office) „, „• { , I'm 19 D-H19 f ^ 1b t +.. � ! . x z x , , n • r y y am ,. --� ..�.. ” _ w � tit ' m , `� � ` &? e x � f � ,mss`,,.- _ _ _ ✓ r�,�.. , � � { � ,, CONTENTS SECTION 1 LETTER OF INTEREST SECTION 2 QUALIFICATIONS OUR HISTORY FIRM OVERVIEW SPOHN RANCH AT A GLANCE DESIGN /BUILD IN CORPORATE SECTOR AWARDS & RECOGNITION PROJECT PORTFOLIO CLIENT REFERENCES CLIENT TESTIMONIALS SECTION 3 PROJECT TEAM TEAM OVERVIEW & ORGANIZATION AARON SPOHN - PRINCIPAL -IN- CHARGE VINCENT ONEL - PROJECT MANAGER DAMON SPOHN - LEAD DESIGNER & DRAFTSMAN KIRSTEN DERMER - ADMINISTRATIVE A/E SUB - CONSULTANTS SECTION 4 SCOPE OF WORK & PROJECT APPROACH PROJECT UNDERSTANDING PHASE 1 SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE 2 - DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE 3 - CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS GRAND OPENING & BEYOND SECTION 5 SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FEE PROPOSAL & HOURLY RATES Sean Sullivan, Acting Public Works Manager City of Rosemead — Public Works Department 8838 East Valley Boulevard Rosemead, CA 91770 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2015 RE: REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL — PROFESSIONAL SKATEPARK DESIGN SERVICES Dear Mr. Sullivan, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to present Spohn Ranch's proposal for the professional skatepark design services that will transform a section of Rosemead Park into a sculptural landscape for skateboarding and action sports. We consider Los Angeles and its surrounding communities to be our backyard and always try to go above and beyond to make the projects where we live, work and skate really special. We take pride in our local skateboarding scene and feel exceptionally rewarded when we can help the neighborhoods that need us most. Additionally, our intimate knowledge of the region's site composition, building standards, material suppliers and weather conditions guarantees a smooth and cost - effective process, free from surprises. Our company is headquartered in the City of Industry, a quick 15- minute drive from Rosemead. While the majority of our design staff now works out of a new office in Los Angeles, the proximity of both locations to the project site is guaranteed to positively impact the process. Short- notice site visits during design development or in- person review meetings during the construction documents phase will never prove to be an issue. We've found that when you have the option, face -to -face collaboration is always best. Our comprehensive design approach, dedicated team members, legacy of success and fee proposal are detailed in the following pages. I am authorized to represent our team in any contract negotiations and can be contacted via the information below. Our team is prepared -Q begin work immediately. ohn, President & Founder n Ranch, Inc. 6824 S Centinela Los Angeles, CA 90230 626 - 330 -5803 x202 (office) 818 - 612 -7711 (cell) Aaron @spohnranch.com "My obsession with skateboarding began on the streets of Los Angeles in 1972, when I got my first skateboard at the age of twelve.. Soon I was building and experimenting with my own makeshift ramps. During these early years I got a lot of bruises, stitches and broken bones, but I never had more fun. From day one I had the desire to build better places to ride ... and more importantly, I wanted a place I could call my own. Many ramps later I tried to get a municipal skatepark built for my friends and me. We lobbied the City, attended countless meetings, built models and made speeches, but to no avail. While I failed in my first effort I was unknowingly laying the groundwork for future successes. Out of necessity, I took matters into my own hands. As a master carpenter I had all the skills. I convinced my landlord he could trust me to put a half -pipe in my backyard. Soon we had one of the precious few half -pipes in Southern California. Some secrets are hard to keep. One half -pipe became two and three roommates became twelve. A huge scene grew from that backyard - there would be a knock at my front door and some skater from abroad would have skated from LAX hoping to bunk down and stay a while. That's when I first heard the term "Spohn Ranch." Without realizing, I had created far more than a renowned place to skate. My personal pursuit had become a community and its passion became Spohn Ranch. It wasn't long before people were asking me to build for them as well and soon that knocking at the door was from ESPN wanting help with their vision - something known today as the X- Games. I never intended to start a company designing and building facilities for action sports, but it was meant to be. It truly is the convergence of all my skills and passions - my life's work. 20 years later my community has grown to include an incredible group of equally passionate friends, athletes, builders, architects and engineers. I am amazingly proud of Spohn Ranch and our body of work. But the thing that I take greatest pride in is the building of communities and helping kids, just like me, build their own places to skate." - Aaron Spohn, Founder & President of Spohn Ranch Spohn Ranch began as a community, anchored by Aaron Spohn's backyard half - pipe, and grew into an award- winning skatepark design /build firm. A cornerstone of action sports progression for over 20 years, Spohn Ranch's backyard roots have spread globally, culminating in hundreds of cutting -edge creations. FROM PERMANENT SKATEABLE LANDSCAPES TO INNOVATIVE INSTALLATIONS" FOR HIGH - PROFILE EVENTS Spohn Ranch has played an invaluable role in the exponential growth and development of action sports. Spohn Ranch's staff of dedicated professionals have spent considerable effort advocating for the industry as a whole: establishing ASTM construction guidelines for skateparks, writing editorial content for industry publications and lecturing at parks and recreation conferences. In the private sector, Spohn Ranch became a household name by designing /building courses for premiere action sports competitions, film /television and corporate events. In the municipal world, Spohn Ranch has consistently been a pioneering firm, most recently taking a lead role in transforming skateparks into vibrant community spaces with architectural finesse and sculptural elements that double as visual focal points. AT A GLANCE BUSINESS HISTORY The roots of Spohn Ranch date back to the days of backyard rasp building in the late 1980's, but the company was officially founded in 1992 and later incorporated in 1998. Corporate Officers • Aaron Spohn, Founder & President • Damon Spohn, VP of Design • Mark Bradford, VP of Construction • Kirsten Dermer, CEO /CFO FINANCIAL STABILITY 2015 marks twenty -three years of uninterrupted service, focused solely on skatepark design and construction. That means no bankruptcies, liquidated damages, changes of ownership or buy -outs from corporate companies. We pride ourselves on being a responsible family -owned business. INSURANCE Certificates are available upon request. • Errors and Omissions/ Professional Liability insurance in the amount of $2,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate • Workers Compensation and Employers Liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 • Auto Coverage for Owned, Non -Owned and Hired vehicles in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate • Comprehensive General Liability or Commercial General Liability insurance covering all operations orjob specific in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate • Excess Liability/ Umbrella Insurance in the amount of $9,000,000 LITIGATION HISTORY Spohn Ranch has no litigation history associated with skatepark project performance nor any past or pending litigation against an Owner with whom we've contracted. Some of our most challenging work has been in the special event world, designing and building competition courses for the world's top professional skateboarders. When global corporations become involved in skateboarding events they conduct a rigorous selection process assessing all major players in the skatepark industry. They consistently choose Spohn Ranch for our unique ability to deliver quality concrete skateparks and courses under any conditions. Our corporate clients like ESPN, NBC, MTV, Vans, Mountain Dew and Red Bull and the athletes they host demand perfection when the skatepark is the stage for a live television event. The spacing between every obstacle has to be precise, the height and angle of every feature has to be perfect and the quality of the construction has to be flawless. With over 20 years of experience in this segment, we've really been able to hone our design and construction skill sets, injecting that attention to detail into all of our municipal projects. To really drive this point home, we like to reference a metaphor from the automotive industry. "Welcome to the home of Goodyear Racing —where everything we learn about making tires that perform in grueling conditions inspires what we roll into yours." IN CORPORATE SECTOR .�� ._ _ �' . �; � , '�- .. ; �'� 1, F t °�x * •. � � is _ m3m: � 4 f 4 0 c . An .' -�� / -,mot`• " � - - .�t,��e - - � .�. Y Of �i + I __ v9 I .p$ }.��"'' 4 �'� f tE'A r�,•� s � G ' Tl P +' —42 -- - �.. .`R.,7...,. c osw ro '-�• ,. � j_ is �• � }'. _ � $� � ' ''a � _ - Wi t: • �, � �. . , I r. . S ` i F.. i` cfi• $�c- k '':�y��e} �' _ �I 4.�1 - r °��'. fL 1 ,J o b tie ` ee 1' lk- . ? -r ,y�l _ �'�`' C Y ' � L�� r�� /O�l '�� • ` �� t i► 7� � ((( err � �� ` r. - ',. .,mow a ��r.i •t� ,�i� �Y'F r'�*•�F",�'� `, 5-...v ' �:,�' -- f � 4 � . I F . _B sow r u I111� & RECOGNITION • CALIFORNIA PARK AND RECREATION SOCIETY Award of Excellence for Recreation/ Community Services, 2009 (Fontana, CA) • IOWA READY MIXED CONCRETE ASSOCIATION Excellence in Concrete Award, 2012 (Oskaloosa Skatepark - Oskaloosa, IA) • NEW JERSEY RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION Award for Excellence in Design, 2013 (Holland Park Skate Plaza - Elizabeth, NJ) • NEW JERSEY SOCIETY OF MUNICIPAL ENGINEERS Municipal Project of the year, 2013 (Dealy Field Skatepark - Sea Isle City, NJ) • AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION - KENTUCKY CHAPTER Project of the year, 2014 (Chautauqua Park Skatepark - Owensboro, KY) • CITY OF SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA Award for Excellence in Design, 2010 (Hot Spot Skatepark) • WORLD OF CONCRETE Finalist for "Crews that Rock" Award, 2011 & -2013 (Dew Tour Bowl & BSA Summit) • SKATEPARK ASSOCIATION OF USA Award for Design and Manufacturing Excellence, 2004 • CONCRETE DISCIPLES Award for Excellence in Skatepark Construction, 2001 • AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS /URBAN LAND INSTITUTE Award for Excellence Nominee, 2010 (Daybreak Skatepark - South Jordan, UT) • HUCK MAGAZINE "The Future of Skatepark Design ", 2008 (Daybreak Skatepark - South Jordan, UT) • INC. MAGAZINE Honoree of Nation's 5,000 Fastest Growing Private Companies, 2009 -2013 =a RA M M I = � I PORTFOLIO Spohn Ranch has successfully completed 700+ design and design /build projects in 20+ years of experience. For the sake of being concise, in the following pages we've highlighted a few recent projects we feel are relevant to the City of Rosemead's project goals. Comprehensive project and reference lists are available upon request. Asked, and they received. During the planning meetings and design workshops Bakersfield's skaters expressed disappointment with the bowl at the City's other skatepark at Beach Park. Too deep, too tight and too gnarly was a recipe for discouragement and infrequent use. They asked if Planz Park could have a mellow bowl that even a beginner rider could have fun with. After seeing the smiles and high -fives at the grand opening, we got the feeling that we nailed it. u In addition to the bowl, the final design features a wide array of modern street - inspired features like steps, handrails and benches and a one -of -a -kind roller- to-bank obstacle that pays tribute to Bakersfield's iconic yellow and blue entrance arch. V O o Z � N �D �a �U) M m ZD c r- N O .p, i SPOHN RANCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO I�L __ 'A �� K k• -� ••_ '•- ter .' ;xT.. 4,.-- Asked, and they received. During the planning meetings and design workshops Bakersfield's skaters expressed disappointment with the bowl at the City's other skatepark at Beach Park. Too deep, too tight and too gnarly was a recipe for discouragement and infrequent use. They asked if Planz Park could have a mellow bowl that even a beginner rider could have fun with. After seeing the smiles and high -fives at the grand opening, we got the feeling that we nailed it. u In addition to the bowl, the final design features a wide array of modern street - inspired features like steps, handrails and benches and a one -of -a -kind roller- to-bank obstacle that pays tribute to Bakersfield's iconic yellow and blue entrance arch. V O o Z � N �D �a �U) M m ZD c r- N O .p, i SPOHN RANCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO I�L __ 'A SPOHN RANCH., PROJECT PORTFOLIO . k1b ME- _ T he result of us community collaborative co munity engagement, Rialto's Fergusson Park is home to one of the, Inland Empire premiere:' ` , A oa at ebrd i ri� Inspired by the passion of a loca Lfamily who had spent years advocating. for a skatepaek ' we em barked on ,a'design, -prqcess ed � at , aim - , cr a e a; state of- the_art faci lity th at would -se rve both transition a •skater's i n a ha rmon ious'way. With,the`jo'czil inspiration in u hand, we returned -to. the. drawing board and developed a-unique concept that would make efficient � rin �. �, . . - . I . I . I . - - - - cient qse an hockey - e'. b -,� i em tra rin s a �whil aintaining a sculptural and'aesthetic qua 'The final,design features a' architecture trad - , • - I . . - . alify, a spects of;b pth modern `ba& � 0 , a yarcl� p pl skating.'It also. features an innovative shade structure design that invites f amilies - n M 0 CD C:) C: C/) C/) 0 z a > M M C/) ;IK � Cf) 03 C, - 0 > N) C) r- 0 Z 0 W M n Y \. MIM r 0 M Z Long Beach's first'true skate plaza - more than just another place to ride, we wanted to create an engaging public space that would resemble an urban streetscape and give local skaters a sense of place and community. Despite a tight footprint nestled in between two streets, an apartment complex and a parking lot, we packed the park with recreations of famous Long Beach street spots, integrated landscaping and several cobblestone gaps. r a By far the ; most compelling aspect of the design though, is the skateable "LBC" letters that rise up out of the park. With a sculptural quality not found in any other skatepark, these letters singlehandedly elevate this skatepark to iconic proportions. Empowering the local skaters with the knowledge; and,pride that their community is special, these letters have further united Long Beach's skaters and cemented the City's place in skateboarding history. a m. CD M o Z CD �n �c i a p m m (1) cl) Z — co D x N 0 SPOHN RANCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO L 4 .. 4 O J O LL U Z Z-1 W r — ) 0O - Cn � n N m o y, ,w c !. , O oo.'- ... L '13J c o M. VI F- U U M i N � ru 4-. N''. O a .P CD N. , _" M Q. n L 0 Y [ �p _ E• N C p. O' a) m C .C N .Y •. U M Ln , C C, m cu- Q 4 2 . 4 m N m �' � CL L. ai cu M s 41 a, ,_. o L lu C o C cu U C �p ' Y v y L O . a O N' {' N a..,. G �' E u O' r0., O. . .(. li N O L _ d� tw N CL N cu L) U N C N cu. E ,. _ m L. Q a s 0 4 cu o c N... ..Q.. vi �' N V m U U . U U - 7 awl O ++ U 41 An m 0:.. G! N. y w.. - O. r q : N O d ; n N m o y, ,w c !. , O oo.'- ... L '13J c o M. VI F- SPOHN RANCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO w l .: This space is , a part of a larger re- development project and was originally slated to be a venue for social gatherings such as concerts and farmer's markets. When the forward - thinking prime architect wanted to bring wheeled sports into the mix, we were invitedto join the design team and lend our expertise. The goal then became a vibrant multi -use plaza that would primarily cater to skateboards and bikes, while remaining welcoming space for the entire community. The thought was that the non - skating population would enjoy watching the action, as well a5,appreciate the sculptural nature of the skateable elements. And for skaters, a skatepark that doesn't look like a skatepark and feels more like a naturally- occurring environment that just so happens to be perfect for skateboarding is truly a dream come true. M N M Z M M y M a: C) m o K/ �D 0� I� z� c r N 0 CA) n u 'k'PP * F � ' For the skaters and community members who had spent years advocating for a state -of -the art public facility in Gainesville, the Possum CmekSkatepark is nothing short of a dream come true. One of Florida's premiere skateboarding landscapes, the park is a triangular expanse of unique ter'raln. The park's focus on aesthetic symmetry and a diversity of skateable features makes it a one -of -a -kind destination_skatepark. This captivating skatepark features modern plaza elements, a multi -level bowl and inspiring obstacles which allow skaters to transition through the park's integrated landscaping. These landscaped areas give the skater's the feeling of a real urban environment, while providing opportunities fob eco- friendly stormwater management. The park has also been the site of several regional competitions, as well as a pit stop for touring professional teams. Z M C r M Y O M v E0_U ou 0 oC/) CD U) CD M i m D� M cry Cn Z 03D c � N O 10 SPOHN RANCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO On the.south end of Gardena, Arthur Lee Johnson Memorial Park is home to 7,000 square feet of skateable terrain. The space flows naturally out of an existing hillside and sits adjacent to two basketball courts. A triangular theme weaves through the skatepark's interior and can be seen in the charcoal- tinted flatwork, as well as the park's dynamic features. d This artistic imprint accents the space with an unmistakable aesthetic quality. The park's features are sculptural versions of skatepark staples such as gaps, banks and hubba ledges. Located near several skateboarding company headquarters in the South Bay, the park is a favorite of many of the industry's top professionals as a warm -up spot before heading to the streets. A 1. v M Z. V 0 O Z 0 L 00 0 0 Z Cn C/) 00 Z 'D �;a M 2zz cn Z o � O� N) N SPOHN RANCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO x On the north end of Gardena, Rowley Park skatepark occupies a 7,500 square foot space nestled in- between a children's play area and a pair of tennis courts. If no skaters were present, community members could easily mistake the skatepark as a visually- striking public plaza. Inspired by rriodern urban architecture, this park gives Gardena's skateboarders the style of terrain they truly crave. At the same time, the park's features double as architectural focal points that will intrigue the community at large. Seamlessly integrated into the Northeast corner of the park, this facility defines modern skateboarding environments — with vibrant colored concrete patterns, interior landscaping and an array of sculptural features. M v M Z Y ■ T 0 M Z a -,j ;a cn O ° off U) r �D a p� �C/) Z �_ -0 0D D c F� p N O N SPOHN RANCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO — fie; i 1 � yam �I I, In one sentence —the largest and most comprehensive project to ever face the action sports landscape. The courses at the 10,000 -acre Summit Bechtel Reserve in, West Virginia are a showcase feature of the new $1 billion permanent home to the Boy Scouts of America's quadrennial "Jamboree ", an event drawing 50,000+ visitors per day. y We were chosen as the exclusive designer /builder for the 21+ concrete skateparks, dirt BMX tracks and specialty training zones encompassing an area over twice the size of any action sports facility in the country. Extending far beyond conventional design /build, we drew upon our 12 years of skatepark management experience to thoroughly plan all aspects of this world -class facility. To meet the goals and standards of the BSA we considered capacity, user density, queuing times, pedestrian flow patterns, skill levels and risk management before starting design. � I ' A r M Z C . Z V ::E M --1 C 0 Z o K CD CD C on M � r M m cn cn Z I C 00 c 0 co SPOHN RANCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO - `. P 7 77 5 - r,- r a 4? 1 JD E- 'F L R c I N� -, • PLANZ PARK SKATEPARK - BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA Client Contact: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation and Parks Email: Dhoover @bakersfieldcity.us I Phone: (661) 326 -3014 Scope: Community meetings, schematic design, construction documents & construction • ROWLEY & JOHNSON PARK SKATEPARKS - GARDENA, CALIFORNIA Client Contact: Kelly Fujio, Recreation & Human Services Director Email: Kfujio @ci.gardena.ca.us I Phone: (310) 217 -9537 Cell: (310) 345 -0864 Scope: Community meetings, schematic design, construction documents & construction • BEARD PARK SKATEPARK - WATERFORD, CALIFORNIA Client Contact: Matt Erickson, Public Works Director Email: publicworks @cityofwaterford.org I Phone: (209) 874 -2328 x130 Scope: Community meetings, schematic design, construction documents & construction • BRISBANE SKATEPARK - BRISBANE, CALIFORNIA Client Contact: Karen Kinser, Senior Civil Engineer Email: kkinser @ci.brisbane.ca.us I Phone: (415) 508 -2133 Scope: Community meetings, site analysis, schematic design & construction documents • ERNEST MCBRIDE SKATEPARK - LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA Client Contact: Anna Mendiola, Park Development Officer Email: Anna.mendiola @longbeach.gov I Phone: (562) 570 -3165 Scope: Community meetings, schematic design, construction documents & construction I r "Trinity Works and the Boy Scouts of America selected Spohn Ranch for the Summit because we expected that we would need the full attention of the best team in the industry to design and build the world's largest skateboard and BMX facility. After an exhaustive search of the world's top action sports companies, your firm was a clear choice due to unique capabilities, experience and personal involvement of the owners. Throughout the three years of work on the project, Spohn was consistently attentive, dedicated and professional. Beyond the fact that you designed an incredible facility and completed construction in the most harsh conditions possible (on the side of mountain, in the middle of winter, battered by two 100 -year storms), Aaron Spohn and his team exceeded our expectations in every regard by always personally answering our calls, working long hours, and doing whatever it took to get the work done and get it done well. Your ability to listen is a true asset. The project's complex operational requirements were not merely met, but were greatly enhanced by your design team. You demonstrated patience and superior communication skills with the many stakeholders involved. We could not be more pleased with the quality of the finished courses. Given the tight timeline that we were under during the course of this project, it was extremely impressive to be involved with a firm that not only understood the importance and scope of the work that needed to be performed in this space, but was also able to overcome so many obstacles with innovative and cost - efficient solutions. Truly, you did the impossible when you completed twenty -one different courses for full use at the Jamboree this summer. I can't wait to see what you do next and enthusiastically recommend Spohn Ranch for any Action Sports project." - Tom Wagner, Senior Project Manager — Trinity Works, Inc. "The City of Bakersfield had the opportunity to work with Spohn Ranch on a design -build skate park at Planz Park. The entire team: from the designers to the onsite builders, were great to work with from start to finish. The onsite crews were professional, courteous to other staff members and informative to the public during the process as well. I was impressed that most of the onsite crew members were also skaters, so they had a personal interest in making the final.product flow from one amenity to the next to create a challenging and unique skating experience. During construction, a couple of stray dogs would make their way to the site of the action daily. The crews be- friended the dogs and gave them food and water. Not wanting to leave them in the park over the weekend, they took them home. Then, a crewmember did not want to part with the one dog at all and took the necessary steps to get its shots and license for official adoption. The dog's name is now Carla and accompanies the crews on construction jobs around the country. Planz Park Skate Park Opening Day was a big hit with well over 200 young people in attendance. The proof of a great product is the user's ability to enjoy it for long periods of time, which exceeded expectations. The skate park can be enjoyed by beginners as well as advanced skaters, which is desirable for a facility where different ability levels can learn from each other. Great company, great results and I would recommend Spohn Ranch to other communities interested in a quality skate park, using the design build process." - Dianne Hoover, Recreation and Parks Director "It has been tough times for recreation departments across America, searching for innovative ways to continue delivering recreational needs for our communities. While Lexington has a well -used skate park, the community needed more opportunities to hone skating skills. The site was repurposed from a deteriorated asphalt volleyball court, to a new concrete pad with concrete features. To make our innovative approach successful, we had to meet a tight schedule expected by our corporate partner, so children would be able to enjoy the park this summer. Throughout the project you and Spohn Ranch were very helpful in design assistance, installation, and delivered as promised. The new skate spot at Kirklevington Park is modest in terms of dollars, but we received the attention I would expect from a half - million dollar project. At our ribbon cutting event, many skaters complemented the park's design and layout. It is extremely well -used as evidenced by the wax on the pieces. Sincerely, I appreciate your help and professional enthusiasm." - Chris Cooperrider, Deputy Director of Parks "In addition to being a pro skater for over 20 years, I am the creative director for the Dew Tour. The Dew Tour needed a professional class competition bowl that would showcase the best of modern vert and transition skateboarding. The team at Spohn Ranch was able to take my ideas and deliver a finished product that was not only the world's first portable bowl, but one of the best pieces of skate -able terrain ever built." - Chris Miller, Professional Skateboarder "Having the opportunity to work with Spohn Ranch was truly a dream relationship. From day one, we talked about a vision of a grand skate plaza that would be considered one of the premier facilities in North Central Florida and every which way beyond. A class facility that would cater to young and old, boys and girls and beginners to the highly skilled. A venue that could hold events and tournaments for all the community to enjoy, as well as for those from out of town. With the excitement, dedication and love shown by Spohn Ranch, it's no wonder the facility turned out to be a gorgeous skatepark. The mere fact that your team was able to construct such a facility in less than 60 days was a miracle to me. You knew the City was tight on time due to a $400,000 grant and you kept your promise, which to me was never in doubt. Night and day your team worked to make the City's dream skatepark a reality. As we've all heard time and time again, the proof is in the pudding. All anyone needs to do is drive by the skatepark anytime during day light hours to see droves of kids and adults skateboarding, in -line skating, BMX riding, and scooter riding. Moms, Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas clicking snap shots of their heroes. It's by far the most amazing skatepark we could have possibly wished for. This has been reinforced through articles in our local newspaper and TV news stories. Not to mention articles that have been written and sent to the editor by citizens commenting on the awesomeness of the park. It's been a great process and I can't tell you how lucky I was to work with Spohn Ranch. You guys and ladies are the top of the pop. You could see our vision and put it on the ground in record - breaking fashion. I hope that in the upcoming months that visitors from other communities drop in to see our skate park and say, we need to go back home, get with our City leaders for funding and then contact Spohn Ranch so we can have our own state -of- the -art skate park for our community." - Patrick J. Byrne CPRP, Project Manager "It's an excellent street -plaza design, with just enough transitions to make it well- rounded. It has something for all skill levels, and is exactly the type of project, area, and advocacy that we want to get involved with. It should be an example for other communities to follow." - Tony Hawk, Professional Skateboarder & Founder of Tony Hawk Foundation "It is truly my pleasure to write you about the City of Gardena's experience working with Spohn Ranch Skateparks. We first started working with Aaron Spohn in 2008 after meeting him at a Professional Recreation Networking session where Mr. Spohn served as an expert panelist on designing and building skateboard parks. After contacting Mr. Spohn following the meeting, he volunteered to meet with our Skateboard Park Committee, our Parks and Recreation Commission and our staff. We agreed and the meetings went exceptionally well. Mr. Spohn answered many questions, gave suggestions and offered to lead us into building the best skateboard park in our area. He was a man true to his words and with his knowledge, dedication and patience, we opened two new skateboard parks in the City of Gardena in 2012. The staff at Spohn Ranch all exceeded our greatest expectations. They worked with us as our staff and City Council delayed our project, made changes to the design of the project and even added a second skateboard park project during the process. They were very accommodating when the project was put on hold for over a year and never put pressure on us while so many changes were being requested and made from our side. We could not be more happy with the professionalism of the Spohn Ranch staff. During the design and build process of the project, Spohn Ranch staff member, Jason Baldessari helped us at every step of the way. He kept us informed as the design of our project moved forward and helped us understand the skateboard park environment as it relates to this generation's interest in skating. He was always available for questions and expert guidance and was invaluable in his assistance in making the City of Gardena's skateboard park project a reality. Both of our skateboard parks have been extremely well received by our City Council, our residents and our visitors. We are amazed at the number of children and adults that frequent our park, coming from a variety of nationalities, backgrounds and skating ability. Our parks have been featured in countless You Tube videos featuring children just learning to skate and even more common, professional skateboarders amazing those around the City of Gardena skateboard parks with their tricks and their skills. We are very proud of our final projects in the City of Gardena and would proudly say that it was Spohn Ranch who guided us to make the best skateboard parks around. Kelly Fujio, Director of Recreation, Human Services, Parks and Facilities "This letter is an opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation for the phenomenal experience we had working with Spohn Ranch. Through the entire process Spohn Ranch was committed to helping us reach our desired outcome and that was clear through the entire year of collaboration. As we conceptualized, designed and built the skate park. Due to our lack of knowledge we needed a lot of guidance 'and assistance and Spohn Ranch provided that during each step. Perhaps most noteworthy and helpful was the way the team is designed. Each phase afforded us the opportunity to work with a different senior staff on the Spohn Ranch team; consistently what was demonstrated was a passion for skating, a desire to work collaboratively and true commitment to the project. Spohn Ranch demonstrated again and again their willingness to work with multiple players, follow agency protocol and make this BIG project run smoothly. This was a large endeavor for our agency both in terms of a paradigm shift in embracing a new and different ways of programming for our children, and in terms of the financial commitment. I can say wholeheartedly we are overwhelming pleased with the results and would recommend Spohn Ranch with no reservations." - Angela Chambers, Vice President of Educational Services "I want to extend my sincere thanks to the dedicated Spohn Ranchers who went above and beyond in their role as designers and builders of our new skatepark at Woodside Park. We presented you with a real challenge — a site that had unique constraints on all four sides. Even with a retaining wall on one end, a specimen tree at the opposite end, and a gym wall and basketball court on the respective sides —your design department emerged with the perfect solution. The sculptural nature of the elements combined with the aesthetic appeal of the colored concrete, made the skatepark seamlessly integrate with the rest of the park. As I mentioned previously, I intend to submit this project for a design award. The project is an excellent example of a reuse project in an urban environment. Exceeding our expectations at every step of the way, the passion and professionalism of Spohn Ranch was vital in the enduring success of our skate spot. Your crew came exactly on time (something like 4 am in the morning and they were still on California time!) and worked seamlessly with our Central Maintenance masonry staff in an incredible collaboration. Going beyond the role of designer and builder, I also appreciated the follow up after the project was completed. When dealing with fencing issues and conflicts between basketball players and skateboarders, we were blessed with incredible insight and guidance that only a well- rounded firm like yours could provide. Thanks again for a job well done." - Ellen Masciocchi, Project Manager "We recently completed the construction of our skatepark and the quality of work displayed by your company, Spohn Ranch, your employees and sub - contractors was outstanding. They showed a high degree of integrity, responsibility, professionalism and ambition. From the beginning to the end of the project you were dependable in regards to safety and quality, especially throughout the build. Your judgment resulted in a design that is not only logical and practical, but so unique that has left our "kids" speechless. Rumor has it that it's a "big hit" and even with the frigid temperatures it is still being used in December. Spohn Ranch has been a staple in the Park and Recreation field for quite some time, you continue to exceed expectations and your products /services would be an asset to any organization so I am pleased to give you my wholehearted endorsement. It is with great pleasure that I recommend Spohn Ranch to everyone for design and construction of a skatepark in their community." - Sue Swithin, Director "It is truly my pleasure to write about our working relationship with Spohn Ranch Skateparks. We became acquainted with Spohn Ranch eight years ago with construction of our first skate park. The project was an enormous success for the Township and opened with much fanfare. The success of that project was the reason we re- engaged with Spohn Ranch three years ago for construction of a much more ambitious plaza style park in another section of the Township. During the course of our second project, Jason was instrumental in keeping the project moving through what at some times appeared to be almost insurmountable hurdles. He spent considerable time and effort working with our youth advisory group to insure the park met with all their hopes and wishes. Once the conceptual phase was completed, Spohn worked with our consulting engineering firm to develop plans and specifications. It was when we got the construction phase that Spohn Ranch became the driving force that kept the project moving. As we entered the construction stage, financing became a huge issue at one point, the Mayor actually cancelled the project. However, Spohn Ranch and Jason in particular, kept the project moving and worked with the Township to develop creative solutions to "our problems. We are now in the final stages of the construction and hope to have the park open before the end of November. We are already receiving rave reviews from our skateboard contingency about the layout and construction quality. I can honestly say the project would not have been achieved without the drive of Spohn Ranch. Therefore, I am happy to recommend Spohn Ranch for the design and construction of any new skate parks." - Scott Thompson, Municipal Engineer "There are not enough words to adequately say thank you to each and everyone of you for your support of our Fort Irwin Community. People on post can only say wonderful things about the design, the project and the incredible skaters who showed up for the event. Each of you made a huge difference in the lives of our soldiers and their families yesterday. The skatepark is having a huge impact on our children and soldiers who need a place for recreation. On behalf of our soldiers, families and civilians —thank you for your generosity, talents, and heart!" - Jackie Hoggins, Fort Irwin Marketing Chief "The Oregon Park District would like to personally thank you for your assistance and expertise over the last 5 years with the design /build of our Skate Plaza. Working with Spohn Ranch helped turn our vision into reality! I was very impressed with Spohn Ranch's ability to guide the Oregon Park District through the beginning steps of gathering information all the way through the grand opening. The years of expertise from each of the Spohn Ranch staffers was evident in the professionalism and ease of the entire process. Oregon Park District staff always felt that this was a community project developed by Oregon. Throughout every development and construction phase Spohn Ranch was sure to provide us with details that would best suit our community and vision. Spohn Ranch was able to provide Oregon Park District with a design /build that captured the streetscape feel and skateable art our community and youth were looking for. Prairie Side Skate Plaza opened September 2 nd to young and old skaters sharing a common interest. The day of our grand opening I was pleasantly surprised to see hundreds of people turnout for a glimpse of the hoopla. Most were pleasantly surprised at how well the skate plaza fit in to our existing landscape and how eager the kids were to use it. The addition of a skate plaza to our recreation facilities has definitely been a success. A success made possible through the assistance and expertise of Spohn Ranch." - Erin Folk, Superintendent of Recreation "From the initial group meeting with the local skaters, through conceptual /final design and construction, Spohn Ranch brought their "A" game. Spohn Ranch's knowledge and experience in the design and construction of skatepark is beyond words. I do not hesitate in recommending Spohn Ranch to design and construct your skatepark. Spohn Ranch's attitude and passion in skateparks is so contagious that it makes everyone love the sport of skateboarding." - Edward Balderroma, Project Manager "It is with great honor that I write on behalf of the teachers, staff, and students of Joseph Le Conte Middle School. We would like to thank Spohn Ranch and their high - caliber team for helping make our dream come true —to build the first -ever Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Skateboard Park on a school campus! The true professionalism and compassion of the Spohn Ranch team was present each day from beginning to end. Throughout the process of designing and construction, Spohn Ranch's team of experts displayed trustworthiness, compassion, and reliability. It was very important to Joseph Le Conte Middle School's staff and LAUSD to hire a skateboard construction company that would keep the safety of our students in mind. Words cannot describe the true giving nature of the Spohn Ranch team, who never hesitated to answer questions about the construction process or listen to our concerns. Moreover, the excellent quality and craftsmanship met and exceeded our expectations. December 2 marked the first year anniversary of the birth of our skateboard park. Joseph Le Conte Middle School Skateboard Park project began with a group of teachers and a simple idea. This idea could not have happened without Spohn Ranch." - Irene Chong, Los Angeles Unified School District "I own a skate shop in upstate New York and work for one of the largest BMX companies in the world — Kink BMX. We wanted to get a park built for the kids of Canandaigua so in 2007 we petitioned the State of New York for a grant with the intention of building a concrete skatepark that would be free for everyone to use. We had another company bid on the project first and produce drawings. When Spohn Ranch bid on the project they were honest with us that we wouldn't have been able to afford our blueprints. I was nervous that the other company was going to start the project and then ask for more money to complete it, but there wasn't going to be more money, so this could have turned into a major disaster. Spohn Ranch was willing to work with us and what we had to spend. In our discussions we asked for something both skateboard and BMX oriented that would be not too difficult for beginners but enjoyable for anyone up to a professional level. Spohn Ranch nailed it first try. In October 2011 the State finally came through with a grant, but with the clause that we had to spend the money by the years end. If you're familiar with Upstate New York's weather that time of the year, this was going to be challenging if not impossible to accomplish. The crew at Spohn.Ranch jumped at the challenge and banged out the entire project before the month ended. My experience with Spohn Ranch could not have possibly gone any better. Three years later we're still skating and riding and the park is as good as the day we got it. Seriously, you guys rule! I could never begin to thank you enough." - Chris Riesenberger, Outlaw Boards & BMX "When you are replacing a wood ramp skatepark built in the late 90's overtop of a Cold War era Nike Ajax Missile Magazine on a limited budget, I cannot imagine having a better partner than Spohn Ranch. Your team at Spohn were the ultimate professionals — easy to work with, committed to delivering an excellent product, patient and extremely responsive. We selected Spohn Ranch for our project after hearing from our group of children and adult skaters /bmx'ers that all of their favorite skateparks were designed and built by Spohn. Staff and riders were not disappointed. Thank you for transforming our old wood ramp park into a skating mecca for our area." - Mark Furlo, Director of Parks and Recreation This letter is being written to express our complete satisfaction with the services provided by Spohn Ranch, Inc in the design, coordination, and construction of the City of Waterford Skate Spot. From the onset of the project, Spohn Ranch, Inc employees were very responsive, understanding, realistic, and attentive to the community wants and needs of the Skate Spot. During the design phase, many design concepts and suggestions surfaced. Spohn did a great job in taking the suggestions and providing an array of alternatives to choose from, which made the resulting product customized to fit our particular needs. We have received numerous complements on the Skate Spot facility regarding the functionality and usefulness as well as being one that is attractive and usable by all ages and all levels. From the design process to the construction, all of Spohn Ranch Employees were always very friendly, helpful, ready with suggestions for problems, and always VERY FLEXIBLE. I personally enjoyed working with the construction team on the project. I found them to be very pleasant, courteous, and clean and neat in their work. They were very customer service oriented and would answer questions from many of the children and adults who had them. We would not hesitate to recommend Spohn Ranch, Inc to construct a Skate Park or Skate Spot. They have a very deep and sincere passion and commitment to the sport that is very evident in their work. - Matt Erickson, Public Works Director " Spohn Ranch first came to work with the Mahaska Community Recreation Foundation (MCRF) on our community BMX -Skate park in the summer of 2010. Our Urban Park project was complete and operational two years later, hosting its grand opening May of 2012. As the Executive Director of MCRF I have nothing but good things to say about Spohn Ranch's design and execution of our skatepark project. At first our foundation was working with two companies on designs and were undecided as to which company or design would best fit our.community. When MCRF approached the two companies voicing the youth's desire to include a staircase in the park, we received Spohn Ranch's answer as follows "In the.eyes of a skater, a good stair set gives you plenty of flat ground to approach and gain speed. When stairs are placed at the end of a ramp, skaters are forced to re- position their feet several times as they ride up the ramp. This leaves them feeling unbalanced as they attempt their trick down the stairs." Receiving a knowledgeable and thought -out answer to a desire for our park, that had not gained attention from an alternative company, was the first step to a lasting relationship between MCRF and Spohn Ranch. Spohn Ranch first sent a representative from their California home base to our Iowa site to gain a better perspective of our needs and space. Vince Onel visited the site and then met with our board and youth committee members for further discussion. His commitment to gaining a full understanding of our needs and bringing this back to his team to translate our community's vision into a creative yet viable concrete skate park earned him and his team the respect of our board members, our youth riders and our community. By the end of the project, the unique design and specific features has given our beginner riders the soft space needed to learn the skill as well as our more advanced riders the challenging features to make our park one of the most unique in Iowa. Features praised by both local and visiting riders are those such as an exceptionally smooth concrete surface, layered levels, incorporating streetscape in the park, a built -in staircase and plenty of approach space. Spohn Ranch's extensive knowledge in the recreation field of bike and skate parks allowed them to go beyond expectations and update designs to be more inline with the "Urban Park" feel that our board was seeking as well as with the unique features that our riders requested. Communication with Spohn Ranch was timely throughout the project and MCRF was always made to feel that they had our best interest in mind. Throughout the process Spohn Ranch gave our project a personal touch. I was overwhelmed when Vince, again our Spohn Ranch representative, made the trip back for our grand opening and shared the day with 600 community members. I expect Spohn Ranch would apply these same skills and attributes to any project in which they partner. It is without hesitation that I recommend the Spohn Ranch company for skate and BMX bike park designer for your project." - Sherry Vavra, Executive Director — Mahaska Community Recreation Foundation "Throughout the process of planning and construction, Spohn Ranch staff proved themselves to be accessible, professional and knowledgeable. Most importantly, they were willing to accommodate our needs and engage in the process based on our timeline and structure. This project began in 2007 when two seventh graders applied for a small grant because they wanted to develop a place to skate in their neighborhood of Little Village, on the southwest side of Chicago. They organized other young skaters and created a strong youth group that has done the planning, designing, fundraising, and partnership development to make a skate spot in this community a reality. Spohn Ranch staff were willing to engage with stakeholders, provide time for community input as decisions were made and make continuous adjustments to design based on this input. They were able to adjust to the dynamic of our group, thus respecting and promoting the ownership that local skaters have for this project, while satisfying the needs of the Chicago Park District, which manages the land where the Plaza is located. Construction was timely and skillfully done, and staff were very communicative during each step of the process. We now have a beautiful Plaza that is a source of pride for the local skate community and has become a destination for skaters around the Chicagoland area. We would certainly work with Spohn Ranch again as we move forward with this and other projects." - Simone Alexander, Project Manager — Enlace Chicago "When the City of Berea began to seriously talk about building a skatepark, I started to contact several of the skatepark builders in the industry to find out what was available on the market. We also called and spoke to several other parks and recreation departments all over the state to find out what worked and what didn't work with their particular skateparks. It was through this research that Spohn Ranch's impeccable reputation for their quality work came to light. From the preliminary planning stages to construction, Spohn Ranch always maintained the utmost customer service approach. After every public,meeting I would touch base with them to discuss ideas and input that we had received from our user group. You worked very hard to accommodate our budget, space and user needs, and we ended up with a design that made everyone happy! Because of Spohn Ranch our skatepark will not only last us lifetime, but create friendships and memories for all of our skatepark enthusiasts. Thank you to all of the staff who worked so hard to make our dreams a reality!" - Maggy Kriebel, Parks and Recreation Director ! i "I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to you and your staff in assisting Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) as Bellevue Borough Engineer and by providing design /build services for the Phase 1 and 2 Bellevue Borough, Bayne Park Skate Plaza project. This project was initially conceived by the Borough in 2010. Funding for the Phase 1 and Phase 2 plaza construction work was received over a two year period from various federal, state and local sources. Because of this funding mix, a competitive bid process was required. Spohn Ranch was selected as the design /build firm for both phases of plaza construction. You and your staff assisted the Borough and HRG in all phases of design, construction and management of subcontractors. Your attention to detail and communication.with all parties involved (not to mention patience related to weather delays) allowed the Borough to realize the completion of Phase 1 in August 2011 and Phase 2 in June of 2013. Borough leaders, local skateboard enthusiasts and adjacent municipality representatives have provided much positive feedback on your company's work. I would like to again express my appreciation for your efforts and state that I would be happy to recommend Spohn Ranch for the design and construction of any new skateparks." - John Rusnak, P.E. "My husband and I were part of the committee that worked with our local park board to develop a skate and bike park in the small City of Wyoming. Having never been part of a project like this, we were immediately impressed with Spohn Ranch from the first phone call we made. We had gotten Spohn Ranch's name from another skatepark we visit frequently with our kids and from first contact they assured us that they could assist with answering all of our questions, no matter how trivial, and would be able to help us through the process of fundraising and working with our city officials to get the project implemented. Our project was somewhat difficult in that we are a small community with a limited budget, yet we have many different types of riders in our area. We needed a park that would work for skaters and bikers, young and old. Regardless, the team at Spohn Ranch did an excellent job of explaining every step and made it all work. We ended up with a beautiful design that met all of the needs of the kids in our community and fit well within our limited budget. This was a learning experience for all involved, but Spohn Ranch made it an easy process and continued to follow up with us throughout. Our park has only been open for about 6 weeks, but it is a huge success story and we have Spohn Ranch to thank for that! - Lois and Russell Janke, Wyoming, MN Skatepark Committee I want to take this opportunity to thank Spohn Ranch for your hard work on our recently completed skate park in Colton. When we began this project several years ago, I had no idea that the park would have such a significant, positive impact on our community. The park has been literally packed with avid skaters on a daily basis since its opening, and we have heard nothing but positive comments from our residents, elected & appointed officials, and most importantly, our teen skaters themselves. I don't think this project would have realized the current level of success without the efforts of Spohn Ranch. You worked closely with our teens on the design, so that at the end of the process, the design was truly "theirs." This made the design approval process flow very smoothly, and given that the teens were heavily involved in selecting our vendor, this also made the purchasing decision easy for our City Council. Spohn Ranch staff were always available and helpful throughout the process, and you communicated and coordinated well with Colton's staff to ensure that everyone was on the same page. Once the project was approved, the construction process was seamless and, quick, with park completion in less than one month, without any setbacks. The park opening that you coordinated for us was likewise well- received. Our teens and residents appreciated the fact that you didn't just build a park and walk away. Rather, you were a part of our community as we brought a much - needed amenity to the citizens of Colton." - Bill Smith, Director of Community Services "The City of Long Beach is pleased to provide a letter of reference for Spohn Ranch Skateparks. Recently, Spohn Ranch Skateparks completed the 14th Street Skatepark in Long Beach, California. From planning through construction, we are impressed with their knowledge, professionalism and unmatched quality of service. In addition to the expertise of Spohn Ranch Skateparks, we are particularly impressed with the unique design, which was a thoughtful integration combined with invaluable input from our community. As a result, our grand opening was a success, and we are pleased with the ongoing use of our facility by the local youth. - Should anyone wish to discuss this project further, I will be happy to provide an outstanding reference regarding your abilities." - Sandra J. Gonzalez, Manager— Planning and Development Bureau "I am pleased to write a letter about our relationship with Spohn Ranch. The City worked with Spohn Ranch over a two year period to develop a concept, construct, and complete a skatepark for the City of Junction City. Spohn Ranch went to great lengths to incorporate our;design requests and work with our budget to create a skatepark design that the community could support. Jason took the time to break the project into phases to make our fundraising campaign more achievable and provided referrals on available grants. Spohn Ranch was patient with us as we worked through a fundraising campaign and was willing to re -work the design as needed and when needed. Spohn Ranch's greatest strengths were both their creativity and their flexibility. Jason and his team really gave us the impression that we could accomplish the project and that they would be there with us throughout the project to completion, no matter how long it took. We all celebrated the opening of our Skatepark in October 2012 and we have received excellent feedback from participants about the flow and the features of the park. I recommend Spohn Ranch for skatepark design and construction." - Melissa'Bowers, Community Services Department Director "In 2010, the North Wasco Park District conducted a nationwide search and competitive bid to hire a skatepark design /build firm for our first concrete skatepark. We chose Spohn Ranch, based on their successful track record and innovative bid design. In our experience, Aaron Spohn and Spohn Ranch have a design /build approach that I believe people will find very rare and refreshing these days. As an example, even before a formal arrangement was defined, Aaron made a site visit to give us his professional opinion about overall park planning and potential site issues. He and the Spohn Ranch staff were extremely accommodating and friendly throughout the entire process. Not only are they extremely knowledgeable about both the architectural and contractual aspects of skatepark development, they seem to have a great natural sense for working with local skaters. When the public involvement process revealed a strong desire to change the bid design, their design team switched gears and did a totally original design that satisfied two different skating styles. Mark Bradford and the construction crew were able to leverage our local contractor's work and did a great job with the poured concrete. We wanted to add a unique feature to our design by utilizing a columnar basalt boulder for the Bent Penny and it really turned out great. Since the park has opened, it has enjoyed heavy use including sponsorships from Nike and Dakine to provide regional skate competitions. I would highly recommend that any agencies considering a skatepark work with Spohn Ranch to design and build their facility." - Scott Green, Executive Director "I want to say a BIG "THANK -YOU" to you and all at Spohn Ranch, Inc. who helped to build the Lathrop Skate Park. We have been open for over a week now and everyone, skaters, kids, parents, neighbors City council members, community members and recreation staff from other cities say we have one of the 'sickest' parks in the Central Valley! The skaters who make up the Lathrop Skatepark Committee are filled with pride because of what they have succeeded in doing — bringing a great skate park to our town. Your staff helped to make critical improvements to Site Design Group's initial design, which not only saved the City of Lathrop valuable CIP funds but also made the park a better, more fun and safer place to play. I also have to compliment Damon Spohn and his crew, Mike Villalvazo, Joe Wagner, Michael Wiley and other staff that worked so hard to build our park in very difficult conditions. We had the hottest two weeks of the year and Damon and his crew worked long hours in grueling conditions often exceeding 100 degrees. The craftsmanship is excellent and almost everyone asks' "who built this park ?" Luckily, and with great pride, I get to respond, " Spohn Ranch built our park!" Skaters give me knowing nods of appreciation whenever I say that, rolling away from me knowing that the premiere skatepark building company on Planet Earth built the Lathrop Skate Park. Thanks for all your hard work, your hours of phone calls and a -mails to make our park the success it is today. It has instantly become the busiest recreation facility in our town with 100 to 200 users a day." - Gabriel Goulart, Recreation Supervisor "On behalf of the Oswegoland Park District, I want to say how pleased we are with our new concrete skate park. The comments from the community have been overwhelmingly positive. On sunny days, the skate park is packed with kids. But, even on the coldest of winter days, as long as there is no snow, there is a skateboarder or BMX biker in our park. For our Park District, that is what it is all about — creating opportunities for a healthy community. During the design process, Spohn Ranch representatives Aaron and Jason listened and worked closely with us to customize our skate park to fit the needs of our community. During the construction, Doug, Mark and his team were knowledgeable professionals and communicated well with us. The precise engineering of the concrete allowed for a smooth construction process. Spohn Ranch also hired outstanding, experienced local subcontractors to successfully complete the other facets of the project. Again, this was a rewarding project for our park district and we enjoyed working with Spohn Ranch to bring it to reality." - Chad Feldetoo, ASLA, Senior Park Planner "The City of Woodland Park is pleased to provide a letter of reference for Spohn Ranch. In July 2011, Spohn Ranch completed the Red Mountain Adventure Park project which included a concrete skate park and dirt BMX course. From planning through construction, we were impressed with their knowledge, professionalism, and quality of service. During the design process, Spohn Ranch representatives Jason Baldessari and Vince One[ engaged our local skaters and BMX riders to customize our park to fit the needs of our community. We are particularly impressed with the unique design, which incorporated the input from our community. The comments from the park users have been overwhelmingly positive. This was a rewarding project for our community and we enjoyed working with Spohn Ranch. Our grand opening was a huge success with over 200 people attending. We are pleased with the ongoing use of our facility by the youth and adults in our community." - Cindy Keating, Parks and Recreation Director "I am writing this letter to express my highest level of satisfaction with Spohn Ranch Skateparks and their work on the North Trail skate court project with the Miami Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. From the conceptual design phase to the ultimate construction of the project, Mr. Jason Baldesari and his team provided an exemplary level of service and were absolutely instrumental in delivering a quality product to the residents of Miami Dade County. As the lead designer of the project, I was truly grateful to work with an organization that clearly cares about their customers as evidenced by their level of communication, service, and professionalism. Beyond providing what we required, Jason consistently demonstrated a positive and 'can -do' attitude that made working with Spohn Ranch an absolute pleasure. During the construction phase of the project, the Spohn Ranch team was actively engaged in the planning and coordination of construction activities and maintained an effective channel of communication with the general contractor on the project as well as with our internal construction manager. This was critical in completing the skate court on schedule and meeting the precise specifications called for on the plans. The Spohn Ranch construction representatives, Mr. Doug Hagen and Ms. Olivia Rich, did a great job in working with our general contractor to make sure he understood and followed the proper procedures. Upon witnessing the completed skate court, I could not be more satisfied with the way it turned out. Having been an amateur skateboarder and bmx rider in my younger years, I may have a unique perspective on the quality and appeal of this project. From this perspective, I simply see a beautiful park that begs to be skated — perhaps this is the most significant comment I can say about Spohn Ranch and what they do. For all of the reasons mentioned above, I would strongly recommend Spohn Ranch for design and construction of any new skatepark." - Manuel Docurro, PE & ORGANIZATION VINCENTONEIL, PROJECT MANAQER- AARON SPOHN, DAMON:SPOHN' COMMUNITY PRINCIPAL -IN C HARGE LEAD DESIGNER 8(, DRAFTSMAN' LOCAL SKATEBOARDERS, BMX BIKE RIDERS, NEIGHBORS, ETC, SPOHNi'RANCff SKATEPARK DESIGN QQNS I QLTANT ARCHITECTURE/ENG R- G, --IINEE IN .'KI STEN; DERMER ADMINISTRATIVE, 'ROSE $T, - PHAN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT KEVIN R10-HW CIVIL ENGINEER' . PROJECT ROLE: Principal -in- Charge EXPERIENCE: 40+ years skateboarding, 25+ years in skatepark industry SKILLS /EXPERTISE: Skatepark construction, conceptual design, master- planning, community outreach, public speaking, value - engineering, cost estimating, municipal bidding, project management, logistics, operations & programming Background: Aaron is the embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit. When he used a carpentry background to start Spohn Ranch in the. early '90's, he had no back -up plan — he put everything he had behind his passion for action sports. These days, when Aaron travels, he will often drive 200 miles out of his way to visit a new skatepark. Even after thirty years of work in the skatepark industry, he is still an avid student of the latest in architecture, green design /build, skate elements and riding styles. Hailed by insiders as a pioneer of the modern municipal skatepark, Aaron's greatest passion is finding the unique story of each project and bringing together the most incredible group of artists, athletes, designers, engineers and craftsmen to transform an empty field or unused lot into a vibrant community space for today's action sports youth. After launching skateparks into the mainstream when he partnered with ESPN to develop the X- Games, Aaron has spent considerable effort promoting the industry as a whole and sharing his extensive knowledge. He has been an editorial contributor to countless industry publications, as well as a guest lecturer at dozens of parks and recreation conferences. Aaron was a consultant to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics tribute 6-extreme sports and is a member of the ASTM subcommittee establishing guidelines for skatepark construction safety. Project Role: The heart of Spohn Ranch for over 20 years, Aaron will be our team's managing principal - overseeing work, leading the planning /visioning process and delegating tasks to Spohn Ranch's deep roster of support staff. Highlighted Project List: Ambassador Skate Plaza — Los Angeles, California Monitor Park Skatepark— Los Angeles, California Johnson ParkSkatepark— Gardena, California Rowley Park Skatepark— Gardena, California Ernest McBride Skatepark— Long Beach, California Fergusson Park Skatepark — Rialto, California McClatchy ParkSkatepark— Sacramento, California Planz Park Skatepark— Bakersfield, California Ponderosa, Park Skatepark — Bend, Oregon Summit Bechtel Reserve — Glen Jean, West Virginia ESPN X -Games - Nationwide NBC Dew Tour - Nationwide PROJECT ROLE: Project Management EXPERIENCE: 15+ years skateboarding, 5+ years in skatepark industry SKILLS /EXPERTISE: LEED Green Associate, landscape architecture, skatepark design (AutoCAD & SketchUp), master - planning, community engagement, public speaking, cost estimating, value - engineering, municipal bidding, project management Background: Vince grew up in Iowa and discovered skateboarding at the age of 10. After years of being chased by police on the campus where his father worked as a professor, Vince joined forces with fellow Iowa skateboarders to advocate for a community skatepark. Advocacy efforts paid off and the park was successfully constructed in 2002. The park quickly became Vince's home away from home, a formative space where he organized competitions, filmed videos and hosted community events. While attending the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, a professor connected Vince with the owners of Spohn Ranch and it instantly clicked that he could combine his love for skateboarding with a growing interest in architecture and construction. In the summer of 2009 after receiving his bachelor's degree from USC, Vince officially joined the Spohn Ranch family. He has since played a valuable role in Spohn Ranch's design department, leading community design workshops and striving to amplify the artistry of skateboarding landscapes. He also acts as one of Spohn Ranch's lead project managers, where he's enjoyed developing a well- rounded breadth of knowledge — including landscape architecture, engineering, construction and a recent LEED accreditation. Project Role: For this project, Vince will act as project manager— coordinating meetings, collecting and organizing information and shepherding the project through its various pre- construction stages. This safety net ensures that the project moves swiftly and never comes to a standstill. A passionate skateboarder for over 18 years and trained AutoCAD operator, Vince will also collaborate closely with Aaron and Damon during design. Highlighted Project List: Monitor Park Skatepark- Los Angeles, California Maywood Ave Skatepark — Maywood, California Oskaloosa Skatepark —Oskaloosa, Iowa OB Nelson Park Skatepark— Fairfield, Iowa Radtke Park Skate Plaza — West Allis, Wisconsin Planz Park Skatepark — Bakersfield, California Cesar Chavez Skatepark — Colton, California Fireman's Skatepark — Houma, Louisiana Hollister Kellogg Park Skatepark — Goleta, California Brisbane Skatepark — Brisbane, California JI M ' *T1 7 AM .40 4V S PROJECT ROLE: Lead Designer & Draftsman EXPERIENCE: 40+ years skateboarding, 20+ years in skatepark industry SKILLS /EXPERTISE: AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Revit, 3D Studio Max, SketchUp, conceptual design, skatepark construction, steel fabrication, construction documentation, landscape architecture, civil engineering Background: A skatepark designer for over 15 years, Damon has created concepts, final designs, and construction drawings for hundreds of high profile skateparks across the country. The pioneer behind many of today's standard skatepark elements, Damon is constantly innovating and striving to transcend the boundaries of,conventional skatepark design. He joined Aaron in Spohn Ranch's infancy and has since worked side -by -side with some of the nation's top professional skateboarders including Paul Rodriguez, Danny Montoya, Chris Miller and Omar Salazar — staying ahead of the most current trends in skatepark design. A conceptual artist at heart, Damon injects aesthetics and artistry into every Spohn Ranch skatepark design. He is an expert in an array of design programs, with a focus on AutoCAD, Inventor and 3D Studio Max. With a background in carpentry and metal fabrication, Damon was also a lead foreman during Spohn Ranch's formative years. Although he now spends his days behind a desk, he continues daily collaboration with the construction team by preparing engineered shop drawings for the innovations he dreams up on the computer.. Project Role: As head of Spohn Ranch's design department for nearly twenty years, Damon is either overseeing the work of his team of designers and drafters or executing design work himself. He'll collaborate closely with Aaron during planning and schematic design, then utilize his expert 3D modeling skills to bring visions to life. When the conceptual design is complete, he'll manage Spohn Ranch's drafters as they execute construction documents. Highlighted Project List: Possum Creek Skatepark— Gainesville, Florida Lake Fairfax Skatepark— Reston, Virginia Holland Skate Plaza — Elizabeth, New Jersey Monitor Park Skatepark — Los Angeles, California Ernest McBride Skatepark — Long Beach, California Fergusson Park Skatepark— Rialto, California Planz Park Skatepark— Bakersfield, California North Laurel Skatepark — North Laurel, Maryland Summit Bechtel Reserve — Glen Jean, West Virginia Red Bull Mississippi Grind - Nationwide ESPN X -Games - Nationwide NBC Dew Tour - Nationwide R 5T11 N: E PROJECT ROLE: Administrative EXPERIENCE: 20+ years in skatepark industry, 2 -time President of Los Angeles Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization SKILLS /EXPERTISE: Insurance and risk management, finance, skatepark programming and operations, cost estimating, municipal bidding, project management, logistics, compliance Background: Kirsten is Southern California born and raised. While attending Venice High in the early '90s she and her brother Mark befriended their new neighbor Aaron Spohn, joining him in his relentless pursuit of skating and building ramps at his house. It wasn't long before that house transformed into a community dubbed " Spohn Ranch ". And with innate ambition and drive, it wasn't long before Kirsten transformed from one of Aaron's first employees into the CEO /CFO that would help Spohn Ranch evolve from a small family business into an award - winning, nation- wide design /build firm. The counterweight to Aaron's free - spirit, Kirsten steered the ship through good times and bad, always keeping the company on course for success. Intimately involved in the action sports industry for 20+ years, the breadth of Kirsten's experience is vast. In addition to earning a bachelor's degree in environmental science from UCLA, she has developed expertise in every facet of skatepark design, construction and operations — with a focus on executing all financial, contractual and insurance - related matters. Kirsten has also twice served as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization, an internationally renowned association of successful business owners. Through this affiliation, she is able to interact with many of the world's top minds on a regular basis, leveraging this knowledge of business best practices to every project Spohn Ranch undertakes. Kirsten is truly the glue that holds the company together. While under her leadership, Spohn Ranch has earned a number of awards and industry recognition, including being named to Inc. Magazine's list of 5,000 fastest - growing private companies 5 years in a row — climbing the ranks every year. Project Role: For this project, Kirsten will oversee all financial, legal and administrative matters, ensuring our design team is freed up to do what they do best. This includes review and execution of contracts, project budgeting, cash- flow management, invoicing and sub - consultant documentation. SUB - CONSULTANTS Stephan Rose — Landscape Architect (California License RLA #1513) Stephan has over 40 years of experience specializing in park planning and design, including 100+ skatepark projects. He has also served in a number of capacities in his hometown of Fullerton — Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Arboretum Commissioner, Redevelopment Advisory Board and Architectural Review Board. After selling his landscape architecture practice in the early 2000's, Stephan joined Spohn Ranch in 2011 when we embarked on an extremely large and complex project for the Boy Scouts of America. He has since a played an integral role in 30+ of our skatepark design and design /build projects. For this project, he would contribute his vast landscape architecture expertise to ensure the skatepark complements the surrounding environment. This includes working with Damon and our team of drafters to define egress /ingress, connections and spectator seating areas. He would also inject his knowledge of landscape design into the park itself— creating an irrigation plan, visual themes, aesthetic details and a vibrant planting plan. Relevant Skatepark Experience: • City of Arcadia, CA — 2003 • City of Palmdale, CA - 1998 • City of Chula Vista, CA — 2003 • City of Santa Barbara, CA — 2000 • City of Laguna Niguel, CA - 2003 • City of Palm Desert, CA — 2002 • City of Cypress, CA - 2003 • City of Diamond Bar, CA -2000 • City of El Segundo, CA - 2004 • City of Long Beach, CA - 2004 • City of Upland, CA — 2002 • City of Costa Mesa, CA - 2005 • City of Anaheim, CA — 2002 • City of Madera, CA - 2006 • City of Montebello, CA— 2002 • City of Barstow, CA - 2006 • City of Downey, CA — 2002 • City of Solvang, CA - 2006 Kevin Richer — Civil Engineer (R.C.E 43714) After earning a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering at California Polytechnic University in Pomona in 1985, Kevin has contributed 30+ years to the engineering field. He is a managing member at Land Development Design Company (LDDC), a small planning, engineering and surveying practice based in Ontario. Kevin and LDDC are our preferred engineering partners for local SoCal projects and they have played a valuable role in 30+ of our skatepark design and design /build projects — contributing vast engineering expertise such as earthwork calculations and hydrology studies to ensure that our skateparks withstand the years of abuse they are guaranteed to endure. • Certified Stormwater Pollution Prevention.Plan (SWPPP) Developer & Practitioner ( #00569) Every Spohn Ranch project flows through our time - tested design process — continuously refined, adjusted and improved over the course of twenty -two years and 700+ projects. We have already visited the proposed project site and conducted a preliminary analysis, allowing our team to hit the ground running without having to play catch -up. It was clear during our visit that the overall site is well -used, which means that we'll have to devise creative solutions for spacing, buffers and spectating — ensuring a harmonious relationship between skateboarding and other park uses. The existing trees create an inviting aesthetic and it will be our goal to preserve as many possible, but we'll have to think intelligently to ensure the skatepark doesn't negatively impact root systems and conversely, to ensure debris from the trees doesn't create tripping hazards within the skatepark. From a satellite image, the site appears flat, but once you walk it, the rolling topography quickly becomes apparent. The "green" approach will be to capitalize on these natural elevation changes, but it will be important to also keep site lines and CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles top of mind. Task 1.1 Project Kick -Off Meeting — Key staff from the City and Spohn Ranch's design team will be introduced to one another via an in- person meeting. We will review the project goals and refine the scope of work, budget and schedule. We will compile and distribute a contact sheet with contact information for all persons from the City and Spohn Ranch who will be involved with the project. We'll also launch an online portal for the project accessible by project team members and City staff. The online site will provide a server for all project files, as well as have a project schedule that tracks progress and identifies key milestones - ensuring everyone is on the same page and has access to the same information. Task 1.2 Information Gathering — During the kick -off meeting, Spohn Ranch and City staff will take stock of existing studies, design concepts and any other information pertinent to the project and project site. We will compile a list of site studies yet to be produced and either sub - contract these services locally or work with the City to acquire them. The site information typically required to begin design work is described below: • Site survey in AutoCAD format indicating spot elevations, topography, benchmark or control point locations, location of all visible features including trees, buildings, curbs, paths, fences, lights, signage, irrigation system components, visible utilities, buried utilities, fire hydrants, etc. • Geotechnical report (max S years old) summarizing subterranean conditions. Report should discuss water table depth, soil composition and provide recommendations for site preparation and concrete construction. • Any drawings or plans that identify existing utilities, drainage, easements or boundaries. • Any master plan design work or future improvements planned for the site. • Any local or State design requirements such as a stormwater management code, etc. • Photographs showing visual themes or aesthetic details from the community or the site and its existing structures that should be carried over into the skatepark design. We hold a strong belief that a thorough analysis of the site conditions at the beginning of the project is vital to a successful end result. Developing an in -depth understanding of our canvas ensures responsible design work and helps us avoid surprises down the road that cost both time and money. Task 1.3 Launch Designated Facebook Group — We will create a Facebook group specific to receiving skatepark design input from local skateboarders and stakeholders. The group will be managed by Spohn Ranch and all content will be approved by the City prior to posting. The Facebook group will become a "one -stop shop" for any and all information related to the project — including meeting dates and construction updates. During our information gathering process, our first posts in the Facebook Group will be a collection of images from past projects titled "Inspiration From Our Parks" as well as images we've collected of skateboarding in the urban environment titled "Inspiration From the Streets ". Users will be encouraged to "like" and comment on images of obstacles they'd like to see incorporated into their skatepark. We also encourage them to post photos/ videos of skateparks or street spots they've found themselves. WHY FACEBOOK MATTERS In order to communicate with the end -users of your skatepark project, you must connect with them on their level — utilizing tools they are already using on a consistent basis. With the most traffic of any website in the world and over one billion active users, Facebook opens the door for direct and continuous interaction with your community's skateboarders and other stakeholders. In the past, we experimented with creating design forums connected to our website, but we found that if people forget the website address or misplace their username and password they tend to lose interest. Connecting with them on a site they already visit is key. Since 2009, we've been supplementing community forums and design charrettes with robust communication via Facebook groups created specifically for our projects. By going beyond traditional formats, we ensure true community buy -in and make sure we are designing the kind of skatepark the community's users really want. It's no secret that community design meetings can often be dominated by the loudest voice. If the older, more vocal skateboarders dominate the discussion, the vision for the park can be artificially skewed in a direction that does not truly represent the entire spectrum of users. Younger park users (10 -15 years old) often struggle to express themselves in a formal meeting setting, where a fear of public speaking can hinder their desire to share input. When they are sitting behind a computer, however, these younger community members feel a lot more comfortable and are more inclined to express themselves. And no matter your age, finding time to attend all these meetings can be a real challenge. If someone has a school or work obligation that prevents them from attending a community meeting, the Facebook group allows them to get instantly caught up on the project's progress and ensures that their voice is heard. HOW WE USE FACEBOOK • POST MEETING REMINDERS • ASK QUESTIONS AND POLL USERS • DISCUSS PHOTO /VIDEO INSPIRATION FROM OTHER SKATEPARKS OR STREET SPOTS • DISCUSS CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS • POST FLYERS FOR GRAND OPENING, CONTESTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE PARK Lane Stock Y A banl: to ledge like this would be fun, nn UIrT2 �CIw—nt Unfok- -. Pot Clgba !c.:C� d6 You and C+_rmv Tram .r like this, eP Seen by 13 Q bie•.': 1 ncre comment (� i Spohn Ranch Skateparks thanks rarely. Skate this park a;l the me in LA CF-t; >_cr d:. - at 3: ?=vn - Uke - e5: '„�' Lane Stock agree not as steep. W CL_[tS , 13, -]1231 1ir:uftm'LSe F Bart Grlepen[rog a Idx on fermeM,at¢uwYYaxenY r<eni no Wn,ot✓mu -�\\ �auG NO MM �� hn 9aa eaypparkat(aapelrapY ? Mi�tlM. nunxmtaro � , a �' _ ,c< ar:a, �a:ee aenQeer.rn. ,_ 9 vcoa meranen rrh,...,e =teed er. teao �~� � ' � ,', eHtMOrero44 oonm f `. � ]' mtl. Wttepee. need: dam ttR � t � rremveQeehY,vr n+. <wem wuraranrmramt e,rterDryt txte�<©rro m]nr,<�e m..are '\ . — � Je:e<xnan rra me aawvwwt.e ara,Y nr< 1 y1 wrda nnlmM V.lvr l Feria - , 1Z rrR: ala rmtre oee'MeI ttivglEwryrt rtv ii. i mee W.. neat/ etkanle Kee b w Task 1.4 Site Walkthrough — We've already walked the site and captured photos and video with our drone, but we will conduct an additional site walkthrough with key staff from the City. We will lead a discussion about our vision for the space - identifying both constraints and opportunities. Task 1.5 Design Workshop — Aaron Spohn and Vincent Onel will host a public meeting to give a "Skateparks 101" presentation and gather preliminary input from the community. After years of educational lectures at parks and recreation conferences, Aaron has become an expert in public speaking and knows how to connect with an audience — whether it's a young skateboarder or an elderly community member with NIMBY concerns. A typical workshop lasts 2 -3 hours and breaks down as follows: 6:00 -6:15 PROJECT INTRODUCTION 6:15 —6:30 SPOHN RANCH COMPANY BACKGROUND 6:30 — 6:45 SKATEPARK EVOLUTION AND TYPOLOGY 6:45 — 7:00 ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL SKATEPARKS — PROS /CONS 7:00-7:15 PROJECT ANALYSIS • Site Analysis • Budget Analysis 7:15 —8:00 USER INPUT • User Input Surveys • Sketching and 3D model exploration — break out into small groups • Concept presentations from small groups 8:00 -8:30 OPEN DISCUSSION AND MEETING WRAP -UP ' When a location and time for the community design workshop is set, we'll create an invitation flyer and coordinate with the City to post the flyer around the community, as well as through any online mediums. This will ensure a strong community turnout. We'll also open the invitation to the community at large — including potential donors. Meetings like this often breathe new energy into a project, getting donors excited in the process. And we're happy to spend extra time discussing intelligent ways to incorporate local material /service donations into the project. After the "Skateparks 101" portion of the workshop, Aaron and Vincent will seek input from the skateboarding community using methods refined over the 200+ design workshops Spohn Ranch has hosted across the country. Spohn Ranch must often bring stakeholders with widely divergent values and visions together to make a project success. We've found that the best way to address differing viewpoints is to educate all parties involved to the possibilities and limitations of the project. We then set up 'success scenarios' for each group and see where goals conflict. These conflicting groups might be 'skater vs. biker' or'street vs. bowl' or'local homeowner vs. skatepark'. Participants will be asked to fill out a detailed survey identifying their personal characteristics as an action sports athlete, as well as their vision for the ideal skatepark. Understanding the composition of the action sports community and their style preferences ensures that the park we design keeps the users continuously engaged. We want the park to perfectly complement the unique make -up of the community. Upon completing the surveys, the workshop attendees will be broken up into small groups and given a 24" x 36" base map drawing of the site where they will sketch out their ideas and arrange 3D printed models. Aaron and Vincent will float from group to group, answering questions and lending advice. When the sketches are complete, each group will present their concept, explaining what features they chose to incorporate and why they arranged them in a particular fashion. These sketches will then be taken back to the Spohn Ranch office and referenced throughout our conceptual design process. I j 55 J Task 1.6 Workshop #1 Report — Aaron and Vincent will review the findings from the project kick -off meeting, site walkthrough and first public workshop with the rest of the Spohn Ranch design team. The team will discuss opportunities and constraints, identify key next steps and summarize the discussion in a report to be submitted to the City. Data from the surveys will be aggregated, graphed and directly injected into our design development. Below is a summary of a few survey questions from a previous project. C AMPBEII COUNTY WYO MING vvi � t F ` 3 1 As't -he site information and user input begin to roll in, we waste no tirne in looping our lead foreman, Mark Bradford, into design discussions. By tapping into Mark's years of in- the -field expertise, early-on in the process, we foster a holistic approach and setthe stage for a unifled and seamless transition from design to construction. r A l ' Y n i 5 a' I _. / _ I ��..� !• tv i =ra T.' " 20+ years of skatepark design /build experience has shaped Spohn Ranch's signature design principles and aesthetic style. Every Spohn Ranch project begins with the time - tested design philosophy that has helped ,us become the world- renowned firm we are today. Our design philosophy is a synthesis of thorough analysis, economic realism, environmental responsibility, cultural awareness and an unwavering commitment to the skateboarding which made this whole dream possible. We balance the practical needs of the client, the preferences of skaters and strengths of the site to create an ideal, custom park for every client. While many designers see each project as another opportunity to advance their own design experiments or express their personal fantasies, we see ourselves as servants to the client and skaters. CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION At Spohn Ranch, we take great pride in being able to continuously redefine the limits of skatepark design. As a testament to the innovative act of skating, we aspire to create one -of -a -kind skatepark solutions that will inspire the most creative forms of skating. At the same time though, we do not design wild concepts just for the sake of being different — we do it with purpose and with a strong focus on safety, functionality and feasibility. When designing skateparks we aim to create facilities that will become the hub of a thriving action sports community. Action sports enthusiasts of all styles and backgrounds can feel comfortable learning new tricks and progressing, while making new friends and gaining a sense that they are a part of a unique collective of individuals. To ensure our skateparks can remain vibrant for generations to come, our design philosophy has a strong emphasis on creating endless possibilities within the park. SKATEABLE ART SCULPTURES While skateboarding has gained incredible mainstream appeal in recent years, its roots are urban and the true heart and soul of the sport remain grounded in streetscapes where skaters perfect maneuvers on neglected urban architecture. These artistic expressions of passion and creativity are best complemented by terrain that is aesthetically - intriguing and challenging to skate. At Spohn Ranch we firmly believe that designing a municipal skatepark should not limit our ability to create visually- striking architecture where the innovation of skaters can truly flourish. In an effort to bring to skateboarding back to its artistic roots, we pioneered the use of "Skateable Art" sculptures in skatepark and mixed -use public space design. With Skateable Art we strive to create urban skatetopias, defined by awe - inspiring architecture that will serve as the perfect backdrop for skaters to film videos and shoot photographs. By making art that is actually meant for skating, we are decriminalizing skateboarding and allowing it to really flourish. As opposed to art in a museum that is hung on a wall and protected by glass, our skateable sculptures truly engage the participant by encouraging physical interaction with the art. When no skaters are present these sculptures can be appreciated for their artistic value. When skaters are present, spectators are treated with an amazing display of athletes reinterpreting the art in their own unique ways. Simply put, Skateable Art features are skating obstacles with an artistic flair. With compelling shapes that rival the work of elite sculptural artists and unique colors, materials and textures, Skateable Art can also appeal to. the general public from a community beautification perspective. Our vision also often includes the incorporation of skateable art pieces that are inspired by local culture and double as architectural focal points. COLORED CONCRETE Spohn Ranch has played a pivotal "role in transforming skateparks from dull slabs of grey concrete into aesthetically pleasing works of art. Our progressive skateparks always include the incorporation of colored concrete as a vital component of the park's design. In our experience, adding color can transform a skatepark from a plain, minimally- inviting space into a vibrant, eye - catching attraction that truly feels alive. Our typical vision is to strategically incorporate colored concrete into the heart of the skateable terrain, utilizing it for subtle accents, as well as visual focal points. A color pattern made up of several complementary tones is artfully incorporated into the conceptual design and adjusted as the design moves through the feedback stages. Existing color schemes at the site and throughout the area and neighborhood are used as inspiration. UNIQUE MATERIAL CHOICES, TEXTURES AND AESTHETIC DETAILS Enhancing both the skating experience and aesthetic appeal of the park, our vision for a quality skate plaza also includes the use of progressive materials uncommon to conventional skateparks. A diversity of unique textures will keep the park continually fresh and exciting. One of our latest East Coast design /builds in North Laurel, Maryland incorporated native boulders into the heart of the skateable terrain. Early skateboarders rode the concrete waves of empty The "backyard swimming pool' aesthetic is replicated backyard swimming pools, making ceramic tiles and _ with blue til'e and coping blocks at our skatepark in pool coping popular aesthetic details. Daytona Beach, Florida. r Aesthetics meet skateability with this granite- capped bench at our skatepark in Waynesboro, PA. A colorful landscaped planter transforms into a skateable masterpiece with the use of butter - smooth marble. Red bricks give this bank feature an urban feeling that improves both the uniqueness and aesthetic quality of our skatepark in Los Angeles, CA. A skater artfully balances as he rides up and across a a visually- striking wall. Texture and color appeal to skaters and become the focal point of our future project. We always love to design elements (both skateable and non- skateable) that reflect the character of the area, tie -in aesthetically with existing amenities at the park site and pay tribute to local heritage. Spohn Ranch has a long history of designing iconic elements that give parks a signature identity and local users a strong sense of pride. "LBC" bank extension at McBride Skatepark in Long Beach, California. Stagecoach wheel sculpture at Goodview Avenue Skatepark in Wyoming, Minnesota. �� i `�n�n a ... 1• + {~� - a� s ��_ -'-• - 1 i- _..t__.. !�. ice .. ■i r 1 LEI t es: W si e f - t6' ~ n r"J x. 4r �'• � a �' ~; ; fit .' '. { . L �e 4F T - rr SECTION C VARIES SEE LAYOUT VARIES SEE • VARIES I S EE LAYO SECTI For our project in West Allis, Wisconsin, we paid tribute to the City's industrial heritage by salvaging large gears from old industrial equipment and embedding them into the heart of the skateable terrain. At Spohn Ranch, we design with a keen sense of green planning /building methods and environmental and social responsibility. We aim to create quality places that respect both the daily users and the environment. Do it right the first time, designing with sustainability in mind • Thorough soils testing & analysis • Create a compacted base • Thorough use of steel edge protection • Meticulous use of plastic for proper concrete curing Work with the site • Preserve as much natural topography as possible, let the site dictate the design • Balance cut and fill • Preserve existing trees when possible • Capitalize on natural elevation changes Incorporate local and recycled materials • Specify materials with environmentally responsible production — steel, lumber, dowels, etc. • Source material suppliers within close radius of job site • Get creative with fill material • Repurpose existing site features by weaving them into the skateable terrain • Specify fly -ash into the concrete mix design • Integrate native planting & vegetation • Low maintenance • Less synthetic pesticides & fertilizers • Complement the local ecosystem and promote regional identity Plan for water efficiency • Design with smart stormwater management - if possible, manage water within site boundary • Incorporate landscaped areas, bioswales and bio- filtration islands into the terrain • Help remove pollutants from surface runoff water • Sediment control fencing during construction Create integrated public spaces • Inviting spaces encourage environmental stewardship • Complement the surrounding area, instead of fighting against it • Less concrete hardscape, more permeable surface area and color pigments to reduce heat island effect Task 1.7 Schematic Design — Incorporating feedback from the first workshop and Facebook Group, Aaron and Damon Spohn will prepare two alternate schematic designs. The schematic designs will address sections of terrain, circulation, access and identify rough elevations, but not detail the dimensions of every single obstacle. Task 2.1 Design Workshop #2 — Aaron and Vincent will return to Rosemead to present the alternate schematic designs and solicit feedback. The presentation will begin with a video fly- through that navigates through the designs and highlights the various features. Aaron will narrate the video explaining the terrain and what factors influenced the designs. The designs will also be showcased on 24" x 36" poster boards with high -end 3D renderings and labeled /dimensioned drawings. Prior to the public workshop, the Spohn Ranch design team will attend a closed meeting with City staff to discuss the designs and present a detailed construction cost estimate. The second workshop would follow a more organic, free - flowing format, with Aaron and Vincent leading a discussion about the schematic designs and seeking input from the skateboarding community. 2D line drawings of the designs will be available for participants to sketch out suggested revisions. The alternate schematic designs will also be posted to the Facebook group following the meeting for review by stakeholders unable to attend the workshop. Task 2.2 Workshop #2 Report — Aaron and Vincent will review feedback from the second workshop with the rest of the Spohn Ranch design team. The team will discuss opportunities for incorporating the community's input and identify the next steps for finalizing design development while staying on budget and on schedule. The discussion will be summarized in a report to be submitted to the City. Task 2.3 Finalize Design — Damon and the Spohn Ranch design team will incorporate feedback from the second design workshop and Facebook group in order to finalize design development. • We will produce 3D color renderings of the final design in 3D Studio Max • Design overlays on aerial site photographs captured with a DJI Phantom Quadcopter • We will produce a labeled and dimensioned 2D site plan • We will produce a detailed construction cost estimate in Microsoft Excel. We will highlight materials and services that could become in -kind donations from the community. Below are examples of our design renderings produced in 3D Studio Max. Renderings of this quality are valuable for public events, fundraising campaigns and grant applications. ® ® ® D 0 j ±e F '°tia er ` •d�, t 1 � t 111r1 y�� 4 Task 3.1 Review Design — Spohn Ranch and City staff will review the design development drawings to insure all design criteria have been met and confirm any revisions prior to beginning the construction documents. Task 3.2 50% Construction Documents — Coordinating with the City and our team of A/E sub - consultants, Damon Spohn will prepare a professional construction document package detailing the complete build out of the skatepark — including all engineering and stormwater management solutions. At the 50% level the construction document package will contain enough detail to convey design intent for all improvements, but some information may be omitted to allow further design refinement. Spohn Ranch will provide 11" X 17" review sets and digital .pdf files of the following sheets (typical, though additional plans /details may be added as necessary to further clarify design intent): • Title Sheet • Existing Conditions Plan • Erosion & Sediment Control Plan • Demolition Plan • 3D Perspective • Materials Plan • Color Plan • Layout Plan • Steel Plan • Grading & Drainage Plan • Landscaping & Irrigation Plan • Jointing Plan • Sections • Construction Details • Technical Specifications— written specifications in standard CSI format Task 3.3 50% Construction Documents Review — City staff will review the 50% Construction Documents submittal and prepare redline comments. Spohn Ranch and City staff will discuss via teleconference or an in- person meeting the redline comments and identify actions needed to address the comments. Task 3.4 90% Construction Documents — Coordinating with our team of A/E sub - consultants, Damon will incorporate feedback from the 50% review meeting and prepare the 90% construction document package. 90% submittal will include an updated cost estimate. Task 3.5 90% Construction Documents Review — City staff will review the 90% Construction Documents submittal and prepare redline comments. Spohn Ranch and City staff will discuss via teleconference or an in- person meeting the redline comments and identify actions needed to address the comments. Task 3.6 100% Construction Documents — Coordinating with our team of A/E sub - consultants, Damon will incorporate feedback from the 90% review meeting and finalize the 100% construction document package. 100% submittal will include required stamps and signatures. The final construction document package is typically delivered to the client in the following formats: • Bound copies —11x17 & 2436 • Compact disc with digital PDF files • 2D AutoCAD base file OH11�aff [EOtl4 � i - H�i(8 J � 7 •._ •-- ..tea,._. - � rf ` '�'9 � 2 �N Z. 1 ��~. � � I I{ � r . 11r �'��1\ 1 F i (: ! � •S t j � G•f7 9Y� M.y�r.r.�mv Mv�nn - ] nn.r vea 'It a b ti f i ••-• � �� - ..- �..c•'_�3P__ J _____ • .c — Kn rrx cr_Er' •��• _Z moo• f Iw °'°.�'" I�� > >. - �. . i • I "i'T - t - ''I - lv'11 :8' - 11 ll' i �" 'r= �. J:7`.'� a t •._ •-- ..tea,._. - � rf ` '�'9 � 2 o _i �N M.y�r.r.�mv Mv�nn - ] nn.r vea 'It o _i Being located in Los Angeles, California, the mecca of skateboarding, for the past twenty years has enabled us to make some valuable connections within the professional skateboarding industry. As with many of our projects, our goal is to leverage these relationships for the Rosemead community to create an unforgettable grand opening celebration. To ensure Rosemead's youth enjoy a day they will never forget, our, staff will be joined in the festivities by professional and amateur -level skateboarders sponsored by industry'brands. In coordination with the City (and their own goals forthe celebration), our plans would include: • 30 -60 minute skatepark demonstration by professional skateboarders. The demo will be narrated over a PA system by a seasoned skateboarder. • Autograph signing and photo session • Skateboarding instruction and tips for beginner skateboarders • "Product Toss" — giveaway of skateboarding equipment and apparel for the community such as helmets, decks, trucks, wheels, shirts, hats, etc. Professional skateboarder, Tony Hawk at the grand opening of our skatepark in Long Beach, California Our good friends from the DVS professional skateboarding team autograph skateboard decks that were given away to the youth of Watts at the grand opening celebration for Monitor Park Skatepark — a collaboration with the Trust for Public Land. & HOURLY RATES PHASE -1 & 2 - SCHEMATIC DESIGN & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT TASK FEE DESIGN WORKSHOPS (2 INCLUDED @ $500 PER WORKSHOP) $1,000.00 CAD DRAFTING & RENDERING FOR SCHEMATIC DESIGN & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT $5,000.00 COST ESTIMATING $500.00 PROJECT MANAGEMENT & COORDINATION (MEETINGS, SITE VISITS, PHONE CONFERENCES, ETC.) $1,500.00 r - TOTAL COST $8,000.00 PHASE -3 - CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS TASK FEE CAD DRAFTING FOR CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS $8,500.00 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS $1,000.00 STAMP & SIGN DRAWINGS $1,500.00 COST ESTIMATING i $500.00 PROJECT MANAGEMENT & COORDINATION (MEETINGS, SITE VISITS, PHONE CONFERENCES, ETC.) $2,000.00 BID SUPPORT & CONSTRUCTION PROPOSAL REVIEW $500.00 TOTAL COST $14,000.00 • Fee proposal is valid for 61 days from 4.2.15 HOURLY BILLING RATES STAFF POSITION HOURLY RATE AARON SPOHN PLANNING & DESIGN $100 DAMON SPOHN DRAFTING & DESIGN $90 CHARLIE WILKINS DRAFTING & DESIGN $90 MARK BRADFORD CONSTRUCTION ADMIN $100 VINCENT ONEL PROJECT MANAGEMENT $80 DOUG HAGEN COST ESTIMATING $60 STEPHAN ROSE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE $100 KEVIN RICHER CIVIL ENGINEERING $100 CAD OPERATOR COMPUTER DRAFTING $60