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aesthetic 3D features, some of which can be downloaded for free from the internet, such as <br /> smooth curves and park benches. <br /> Choosing Park Elements <br /> Deciding upon elements to include in the design of the park was one of the most difficult <br /> steps in the process of developing the skate park layout. In the first meeting with the future <br /> users of the park, it was clear that the engineers had more to learn than the skaters about <br /> how to put a park together that has"flow". However, student engineers were able to pair <br /> what was learned from the skaters with knowledge of construction design considerations. <br /> During this meeting it was decided that a concrete park is the wisest choice. Concrete parks <br /> last for tens of years where modular parks (parks that use steel and wood materials) will <br /> last less than ten. Elk River's former skate park was modular and lasted nine years (2004- <br /> 2013). Modular parks,when made of wood, must be regularly maintained to keep the <br /> structural integrity and safety of the park. In addition,when improperly maintained,the <br /> wood will rot and break.When compared to a modular park, concrete is preferred by <br /> skaters for a smoother and safer ride due to predictability. <br /> Once concrete was selected as the material,the next necessary step was choosing specific <br /> elements for the park.This process began with the skaters recalling elements they liked <br /> about the last Elk River park and elements that they enjoyed at other parks they have <br /> visited. In particular,Westchester Park in Los Angeles, California and Plymouth Park in <br /> Plymouth, Minnesota were used for inspiration. <br /> One of the most important elements, and the most foreign to engineers is "flow". Flow can <br /> be described as "rideability"which has to do with the spacing of the pieces of a skatepark. <br /> Placing elements on a concrete slab is simply not enough to create flow.The elements <br /> should be conducive to a certain rhythm that is obtained when skating.This was by far the <br /> most difficult aspect of the skate park to tackle. It was also brought to the engineers' <br /> attention by the skaters and skate park consultants that were contacted that even with <br /> great planning, it is impossible to know if a park will flow until it is ridden. In order to <br /> combat this problem, it was decided to choose as many familiar aspects as possible. Plans <br /> 3 <br />