THE BACKYARD MINI RAMPS CREATED DURING LOCKDOWN

The COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during its initial wave in New York City, led many skaters confined to their homes to revisit a childhood fantasy: building a backyard mini-ramp. This article explores the experiences of several individuals across the United States who transformed this pipe-dream into reality, constructing a variety of ramps, from simple designs to intricate mini-bowls, within their own backyards. Josh Matlock, based in Berkeley, California, built "Pepper’s Playland" for his seven-year-old daughter. After a five-month vacation and feeling mopey due to lockdown, he secured permission from his landlord to construct the ramp. Measuring 10 feet wide and 2.4 feet tall, it includes slides and a kiddy pool. The total cost was approximately $800, with some wood sourced from the streets and a friend. The construction process involved Matlock and his daughter, fostering her imagination and offering an outlet for physical activity during homeschooling. The ramp has allowed his daughter to develop her skating and roller skating skills, strengthening their family bond and providing a cherished space for shared sessions. In Port Orchard, Washington, Nathan Janssen, a skater and documentarian, created "The Dojo." This ramp is 12 feet wide and 3 feet tall, featuring a one-foot extension, wood construction, metal coping, and a unique kaleidoscope paint pattern. The estimated cost was just under $1,000. Janssen received assistance from a master carpenter and other friends, completing the build in about six hours, fueled by beer and pizza. He describes having a backyard training ground as a dream come true, enabling significant progress in his transition skating and fostering a new appreciation for the discipline. The ramp has become a central point for bonfires, BBQs, and ramp jams with friends, notably free from scooter interference. Andrew Durgin-Barnes, an artist, constructed the "Fernery Ramp" in Deland, Florida, on an abandoned fernery site. This substantial ramp is 16 feet wide and 5 feet high, with a 7-foot stench. One section was initially planned to have marble coping but currently uses wood, which is also proving enjoyable. The total cost was around $3,500, utilizing Skate Paint as an alternative to pricier Skatelite or Gator Skins. The build process was challenging, enduring intense heat, mosquitoes, and fire ants, with Durgin-Barnes completing about 80% of the work himself, with some help from his father. The ramp has significantly improved his transition skating skills, particularly for someone who primarily focused on gaps and rails in the late 90s, offering a valuable learning experience and good exercise. Joel Jutagir of Metro Skateboarding established the "Metro Ramp," or "Joeltopia" as some friends call it, on his ranch in Castro Valley, California. He humorously refers to it as "The Widowmaker." This extensive setup spans 40 by 40 feet, hovering between 3 and 4 feet in height, constructed from plywood with a birch surface. The design incorporates two small capsule bowls with a central spine, which transitions into a slappy-style concrete banked ledge. It also includes banks, a loveseat-style gap-over transfer, escalators, and a hip-in-process. The cost is described as ongoing, with new materials purchased monthly. The build process is a continuous effort, made possible by a group of dedicated friends. At 45 years old, Jutagir feels rejuvenated, learning new tricks daily and finding inspiration from his friends. The ramp has made his ranch a popular meetup spot and sparked a plan to film a sequel to his shop’s old ramp videos, focusing on the next generation of Diablo Valley skaters. Finally, Andrew Martin Scott, a designer, curator, and founder of Needles and Pens, built the "PEACE & VEGETABLE RIGHTS" ramp in Los Angeles, California. This ramp is 12 feet wide and 2 feet tall, with 4-foot transitions, steel coping, plywood, and a masonite layer, costing around $1,000 due to budget constraints preventing the use of Skatelite. The construction was a labor of love, executed with basic tools like a jigsaw, circular saw, and drill, accompanied by cold beers. Having a backyard ramp has been invaluable, especially with skateparks closed during COVID-19, fulfilling a childhood dream for the 46-year-old. It allows him to skate comfortably at home, relearn old tricks, and experience immense satisfaction, leading him to recommend that others consider building their own. #BackyardMiniRamps #DIYSkateRamps #SkateboardingCulture #COVID19Projects #HomeImprovement #SkateParkAlternatives #FamilySkateboarding #SkateCommunity #BackyardMiniRamps #DIYSkateRamps #SkateboardingCulture #COVID19Projects #HomeImprovement #SkateParkAlternatives #FamilySkateboarding #SkateCommunity