Augsburg Skatepark (Richfield, MN) Review
There is a special place in my heart for small skateparks.
They’re just fun.
But more so, they force creativity.
They force skateboarders to step outside of what’s their typical trick line-up and do something different.
Try new tricks. More complicated tricks. Stupid tricks. Really, really hard tricks.
Small skateparks are the best, man.
Augsburg Skatepark in Richfield, Minnesota, is home to a small skatepark — one that has a decent enough flow and enough amenities to entertain skaters who want to hone their skills in a select few areas.
Shout out to Shure for this sweet mobile video and mic setup. I shot this edit with the MV88+ Video Kit, along with my main camera. It’s top notch. 👌
The Highlights
The Hubbas
Nothing at Richfield is very big. Some things are proportioned decently. Some oddly.
The hubbas are small, but square and clean.
They’re easy to lock into, and they’re enough to give you a confidence boost once you’ve warmed up a bit.
There are two. One splitting a bank and an awkward step-up.
The other is more of a manny pad but has some clean angle-iron that parallels the mellow bank.
Both are fun, both offer skaters a chance to be creative on weird park elements.
The Flat Rail
The flat rail is one of the best around — seriously.
It’s long enough. It’s square and clean.
It’s a bit thin.
But, the ground all around it is smooth and easily cleared.
There are banks on either side that make it easy to get just the right amount of speed.
You can go back and forth, back and forth, sessioning it for a hot minute.
I tend to lose front feebles year after year, and this rail gave me confidence that I’ve got them locked down this time.
This would be my favorite part of the park if it wasn’t for the box.
The Box
There is a great, great box.
Enough said...
It’s the perfect height, a good length with excellent coping.
There is enough room for the box to double as a manny pad. It has good run room to and from.
It’s been my go-to for experiential sessions, when I try my hand at tougher tricks that give me trouble after a while.
Lately, I’ve been trying to get back kickflip noseslides, and vice versa, noseslide kickflip out.
Neither are going well right now.
What Else?
There is a set and a handrail. It seems fun. It’s a fairly long set, but not too tall. The handrail is clean too. Low, but not too low, and it’s fairly long. A good one to get started on.
The hips are both a bunch of fun and help give the skatepark its flow.
There is a step-up, but sadly, I’m not fond of it. It’s awkwardly built and not smooth in the slightest. Step-ups are typically my favorite thing to skate, but not at Augsburg.
Like I said, Augsburg is a small park.
There isn’t a ton going on there.
But, that’s fine.
This park is still fun. I often head here because it’s close to where I live and it’s low commitment. In the evening, I can jam out for an hour, then head home. It’s a good session if nothing happens. It’s great if I land a damn kickflip noseslide.
I think seasoned veterans would find this park amusing, but it’s likely best suited for those up and coming, trying to hone their skills on things like rails or boxes.
But, again, if you’re creative enough, there’s something for everybody here.
The Park’s History
The city of Richfield posted a video in 2012, announcing the park’s opening. The park cost $100,000, paid for with the proceeds of the local liquor stores. (Hey, that’s pretty cool!)
The intent behind the park’s design was to simulate local skate spots in Richfield, but in a way that would meet certain standards. The city calls it a tier 1 facility. Think of playgrounds and public areas that don’t have to be fenced in or supervised. The Southdale YMCA in Edina has a tier 2 facility — a bowl-like skatepark that needs to be fenced in.
The park was designed in collaboration with the so-called oldest skateboarder in Richfield, who helped the city bridge the gap between government and the local skateboarding community. The partnership worked to meet the needs and wants of both sides in terms of design, and to give the locals a free place to rip around. That’s also pretty cool!
Ever been to Augsburg Skatepark? What’s your favorite part of the park? Comment below!