Skateparks Like This Will Never Be Built Again...

[@tokunokumo]

I’m a huge fan of “DIY” spots; it’s just something about the sketchiness that’s amazing

[@tbubs]

Fr especially ditch spots

[@HFV_Junkyardin]

My home town had a DIY park built on tow abandoned building foundations on a dirt road near the high school. It was chill cops would roll by and you could wave to them with a bag of quickcrete and a spray can in your arms. When they closed the actual skatepark due to a lack of maintenances the “secret skatepark” became the only skatepark. 😢

[@taurengraybeard218]

Older parks weren't meant to prepare you for the street, they were trying to replicate street skating so you didn't skate anywhere they don't want you to. The focus was always about "giving kids a place to skate so they don't have to skate on the street" which really showed how little was understood about what we wanted.

[@DisgruntledDoomer]

What DID you want, then? I would have _loved_ a skatepark like this, growing up in the 90s.

[@taurengraybeard218]

@@DisgruntledDoomer maybe the point I was trying to make wasn't clear. The intent of skateparks was never about preparing skaters for street skating. Instead, the intention was ALWAYS about keeping skaters FROM skating street spots or anywhere else they didn't want us, then passing out citations if you don't comply. They were an attempt to box us in, control. Not to imply parks weren't fun, a lot are/were. They were never built with the intention to prepare, but were built to prevent us from. The creativity that is so inherent to skateboarding was boxed in with signs telling us the rules of what we can and can't do, while putting up "no skateboarding" signs and ordinances with knobbed up rails and ledges everywhere else.

[@DisgruntledDoomer]

@@taurengraybeard218 I feel like I understood you well enough. But you didn't really answer my question. What _did_ you want instead? In my youth, crappy DIY ramps and spots were the most popular ones, and a proper skatepark would have been heaven compared to those... So maybe I'm approaching this from a different angle. Because the only "official" ramp I ever saw, was a scary half-pipe that even the bigger kids hated, because it was so badly made.

[@taurengraybeard218]

@@DisgruntledDoomer we just wanted to skate without worrying about fines. I sat in for several city meetings where someone would inevitably say something about "providing a place for kids so they don't have to skate in the streets" which I feel completely missed the mark. If that had been true, nobody would have continued street skating after a park was built. There wouldn't have been a need to. I, (obviously), can't speak for everyone, but as much fun as it could be at a decent park it wasn't the same. My original comment was in response to something John said in the video about how newer parks are built vs older parks. He said something to the effect of newer parks being built to serve as a sort of training grounds for future Olympians while older parks were to prepare you for street skating. I disagree with that second part. They didn't build them to prepare, they built them to prevent. To some degree, thats still true.

[@DisgruntledDoomer]

@@taurengraybeard218 Yeah, we definitely had different experiences. The place where I grew up, wasn't that "urban", so there was very few places to "street skate", as it were. A proper skatepark (of any kind) would have been lovely in comparison. But on the other hand, we never had any issues with police, security guards or adults in general. They just weren't there, and didn't care either! LOL

[@averynorback5022]

This type of content will never go out of style on KZbin

[@ethanfulton9659]

Brother have you looked at his views 4 years ago. A good video for him now would have been a terrible video 4 years ago

[@milocaine3]

@@ethanfulton9659 thats true. but skateboarding on youtube as a whole has gotten less popular. check most skate channels and you see the highest count vids are like 4-7 years ago. only a couple newer skate channels are doing really good

[@himebaughchris4026]

He got me interested in YT years ago.

[@StillerJ]

I basically just watch skating on yt for this kind of content! 👍🏻

[@steelokey]

It’s his steelo he’s so smooth throughout the entire video whether skating or not

[@TheUnluckyJirachi]

That guy slow clapping at the rail grind in the background was magic xD lol

[@XYGamingRemedyG]

5:53 for anyone w trouble spotting around where he shows up.

[@Hell_Hound_Actual]

@John Hill Hey man, I skated a couple of times with you, just by happenstance of us both being at the same park, and there was something you mentioned in this video that I wanted to address. Most people know that if someone else is skating an obstacle that you want to film yourself skating, that you can just walk up and respectfully ask them if they'd mind if you film and skate that obstacle as it took so long for you to get there. I know that when you had finished filming an obstacle, I simply asked and you were totally cool about it, I went on to nail a backside flip to fakie frontside 5-0 grind (i was actually trying to catch it in a smith) and as soon as I landed that, I offered to point out a couple of points of view to film from. Anyway, I'm glad you were really chill about it while we were out there and I'm also really glad to see your career being successful. May it continue!

[@housemana]

bro has main character syndrome yapping about "in an awkard situation where i want to skate the rail, but i can't film until he stops skating it".. yea its called sharing homie.

[@gavinjenkins899]

@@housemana I think the point was more "if I take the time to set up a camera, more people might start in on it, if I set it up beforehand, it looks like i'm creeping on him"

[@danielhayes3607]

Ah that guy

[@FishDrinkLightGreen]

2:50 "This has gotta be the thumbnail" proceeds to not have it as the thumnail

[@Vikanuck]

Damn man this brought me back. The editing on this is so much like the old school skate videos from the 90’s and 2000’s, when landing all the tricks was perfectly in sync with the music. That always got me so amped for some reason haha 😄 Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@FishnFlipsATL]

I wish more people would like, share, sub and comment on your videos. I know it was only about 30mins ago. But 1.1m subs....That glorious steez and a great person to back it all. You deserve more John. I'm honored to be a follower of your glory!!! Stay shredding and inspiring. Love it.

[@JohnHill]

ah i appreciate that! haha, the videos are fun to make so it's no sweat either way. definitely stoked you enjoyed the video though, skating is still a bit niche, so any one enjoying it is cool to me

[@jackroyal9255]

⁠@@JohnHillinteresting that skating is so niche tho. I always wonder what sort of activities were shared by the small group of people inclined toward skateboarding before skateboarding existed. There just doesn’t seem to be anything else like it. It’s one of the most different and unique activities I think, and I always feel a generally a stronger connection with people who skate than people who don’t. I think that’s why I’ve been watching for videos for the last 6 years or so, there’s an aspect of the skateboarding mentality/lifestyle I feel you capture better than anyone I’ve seen on KZbin.

[@A-LittleMoreContext]

I get what you mean about the training aspect of parks changing the feeling of the session from how they used to feel. I live in Canada, so right now we got about 2ft of snow, and I've got 1 tiny private indoor park that I have access to which basically just has a ledge, my transformer rail, and a 4 stair to skate. I go there in the mornings so I can skate alone and I treat my skate sessions the way I used to treat going to the gym when I played high level competitive hockey. I bring jump rope, some weights, and then I treat my ledge/transformer rail session as cardio and take breaks with some weight in-between. It's been an amazing change of mindset for me as someone who grew up in skinny jeans, band t-shirts and "edgy skateboarder" culture days roaming the streets to find anything my buddies and I could skate. I've managed to take skateboarding, which I still love, and turn it from something I was still kind of embarrassed about telling people I do at 29 into something I have no problem sharing and telling people about. I know I've changed a lot of people's minds about skateboarding as a whole because they don't look at me as their stereotypical skateboarder and instead just as a healthy, fit, regular adult living a regular life, who skateboards for their activity.

[@magickmarck]

I don't think making skating acceptable is the goal

[@patrickkibilov6188]

as someone who lives in riv, hate this park with every fiber of my being.

[@johnmeehan7884]

Typical privledged creep.

[@kaneblair7103]

Bro your fucking trippin I live in Riverside too and I can go skate there everyday and have fun

[@Secretlyanothername]

How about you relax and enjoy it!

[@tonyflores7708]

What makes you dislike it?

[@saucetiny]

Why tho

[@azlanx]

I don't think the local government/council/whatever wants to design a park to prepare you for the streets, i think they want you to stay in the park

[@QuixkRedsk8]

That’s actually a great point😂

[@Numl0k]

I haven't really skated in 20 years (Unless you count longboarding and bombing hills, in which case make that 15 years.). It's so nuts how much people have progressed. Tricks that would have been rare, or just didn't exist at all back then, you're just throwing casually now. It's honestly fucking insane, and I'm glad folks are shredding so hard now. Wish I still had the motivation to get on a board, but in my late 30's I'd just break myself XD

[@fadeddgeo]

this park has got to be top 5, crazy to see you've came to it and i just missed you. keep shredding john mad respect to you.

[@m.i.c.h.o]

I seriously love these showcases! And the montages of you skating with it all synced up to the music is just super satisfying. Keep it up man this is great.

[@tamarathompson3519]

i love the guy clapping in the backround

[@TheNightWatcher1385]

1:23 when your bro asks what you think of the goth girl in class.

[@mateosmithy5668]

Man, I remember watching you for the first time years ago while skating some sketchy NY back-alley with a kicker ramp. Love ya, John. Whether in Texas, NY or Cali… you’re an amazing person!

[@thejoe_snotbombsskateboarding]

Shout out Sketchy NY

[@fogudevstuff]

You've gotten me back into skating with your vids mate, keep it up this is some good stuff!

[@YouilAushana]

Thanks for being so self aware of what's going on in your life and in the world around you. So proud of your skating and 'content'

[@FG-nr2iy]

Uve come a long way John, i remember watching u when u was still living with ya folks. Ur an inspiration and one of the first skaters i subscribed to and one of the reasons i started skating too, much love from!! 🇬🇧❤

[@EXRazeBurn]

Given my horrible reflexes and sense of balance, I can just imagine how fast I'd manage to perma-cripple myself in a skate park like this.

[@jblskates]

It is absolutely insane that Forrest Edwards kickflipped from the bump leading up to the six stair over the entire thing

[@ssbsnb1200]

Seriously, anyone that's seen this in person knows how freakishly impossible it looks

[@Papito_Nico]

Been watching you for years now John !! Ur cool asf and keep doing what you’re doing bro!!

[@Andyrizzle]

This park looks dope not gonna lie it looks hella fun

[@matthewwheatley4740]

Skate for FUN, always!

[@KatrenaS]

5:56 🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯

[@circusmunkey]

winters almost over and skating season begins here in the midwest

[@JohnHill]

yyyeeessss!!!

[@gabriel__drake]

can’t wait till winter is over

[@MysteryD]

I have never skateboarded but I watched almost all of this video. Impressive. Thats how ya know youre making good content.

[@MarioGodoyMusic]

Oh my god my childhood! This was Riverside’s first skatepark and we were so excited when they announced that it was being built. Then we got to skate it and it was the most awkward thing to skate. No two transitions were the same. I’m glad to see that they expanded it. I haven’t been there since probably 2003.

[@itstheaxolotldude1234]

No way!! I used to skate this park all the time!

[@MoctezumaStudios]

Pretty hard core! Here Chicago does not have the 'stereotype' of being a skate city but it has some very nice skate parks scattered all over. (Not as classic as the ones in Cali?) Its fun to people watch, very chill places to relax, I don't skate myself, I used to try to learn with my cousins when we were kids, they knew how to skate. The city here has been gravitating into the 'extreme sports' era which is not as relaxing and investing in other commercially popular sports where people can bet their money in. I am studying urban planning and this kind of culture I personally think has been brushed over by the push to get more people on bikes, having exclusive bike lanes, e-scooters, alternative forms of transportation that are not skateboards which sucks. First time viewer, great title video, has given me more to think about. I have thought about having skate parks under viaducts and express ways in order to bridge the divides.

[@jank.skating]

It's times like this make me think "I can't believe you were gonna take a break from this?!" Such content, very wow.

[@jonathanyoungblood8676]

The first part of the park is like my local park that we got in early 2000 , surprisingly they just added lights to it haha sure would of been nice when I was there skating in the dark but I’m glad kids get to enjoy it. We got a newer park about 10 yrs ago , grindline did it so it’s got some fun stuff to shred . Love watching you skate man you absolutely shred everything and make it look easy and super clean

[@deatheternal720]

I'm thinking about maknig a video at my local deathtrap of a park. It's the only one in Clarksville and my brother is part of the reason its built and its just so hard to skate... lol.

[@alexummm]

growing up in riverside and seeing a john hill vid at hunt is crazy lol first went there before scooter zone as a kid

[@RoalFlusher]

dude chill this video is amazing i even enjoy talking about skateparks a bit more

[@DevenKhanna-sm5mq]

Your switch flips look really good!

[@Kyle-v5o9s]

Thank you for reviewing one of my favorite parks right now!

[@fredlem4681]

love the skateboard hits on the snare

[@STARPHASE]

Have you ever been to the skatepark in Diamondbar? My sister always had softball games where the park was, so I would skate there all the time. I loved it and have good memories being there. Would love to see you visit and see what you think. But if you do, heads up! They're super strict about wearing helmets. At least they were. I got a ticket there as a kid for not wearing a helmet. Although we never had to pay it. That was over a decade ago, though, so not sure if it's still so heavily "enforced."

[@powpow50cal24]

progressing and killin it always

[@Alex0951]

Lived down the street from this spot. It was always where we ended up at the end of the day.

[@JohnAvillaHerpetocultural]

I actually like these kind of parks. They force creativity. It wouldn’t be my everyday spot but I hope a few of these survive a while longer. Also, I love that you are using a heel side lock on those 50/50s. Cross lock is ugly.

[@gggavin]

awesome video, mans on a rampage killing these spots

[@ZackDowdy]

Fakie 5050 was so dope!

[@JohnHill]

thanks my g (:

[@jesiclaire]

The song at 8:08 is 42nd Street Shuffle by Rikard From. ♡

[@gkys111]

We got a bunch of parks like this around the chicago suburbs, built a little more than two decades ago. Honestly, they're so much fun because of how wonky they are.

[@urk5204]

Riverside has so many skateparks! I swear every neighborhood has at least one. There’s even one in the middle of a commercial district IIRC, in that park with the little train by that bridge that just goes over buildings off Iowa

[@nopeISdope96]

Where?

[@a.t.hustle1583]

I remember that bench shaped like a skateboard, itself, being a short article in Transworld magazine in like 1998 maybe. Craziness

[@fizzysh4rk]

i grew up in the inland empire and all of the parks that i had access to were like that riverside one. i'm kinda jealous of kids who get to grow up with modern parks

[@J0sh351]

Rail looks so fun Remember seeing foy sit on a front crook on it. always shredding John 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@conscious___creators]

Inspiring stuff! Some years back I watched Mid 90s got inspired, bought a board was skating for a while, but then gave up as the fear, injuries and amount of time involved to get good discouraged me (harder to start in your 30s) but I feel inspired to get back on a board soon hopefully! They're building a new park in my city so it should be epic! 👏🛹

[@ArjunShah]

Honestly that park is pretty sick…all those street feeler obstacles look fun

[@danielneemann9338]

Echo Park in the house! i'm the dude who said i like what you do that day. cool to see the footy

[@charredolive]

3:00 In my head, I see someone ollie up to it, and with just enough momentum to fast plant off the flat top and hit whatever off that

[@Gamycodes]

As soon as I saw the thumbnail, I knew where you were. I t is good to see you at our neck of the woods!

[@MCcowpow93]

That FS smith on the rail was tight.

[@Yoav_Sluhovsky]

When i started skatboarding we had in the city one very old park and another modern one. recently they tore down the old one and replaced it with a better one. I now miss the old one🥲

[@brentyancich]

Your tricks on the long rail were darn impressive

[@Swisba]

I’m glad I grew up in the golden era of skating

[@peterpopplewell8763]

Fakie 5050 and heal side lock no cross lock long rail!🎉

[@steelokey]

“Even tho I’m exhausted” Backtail first try next trick lol 😆

[@rollerplanker]

Goleta CA built a new park a few years ago and its definitely pretty similar to this as far as obstacles go. Much smaller and no bowl section though.

[@LavelWashington]

Solid. Thanks, John. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@coldsandwich_skates]

i went there last weekend and i liked how big it was but i wished they would repaint it and clean it since the paint is chipping and theres cigs everywhere.

[@mrjames95]

in germany we still build parks like this and it sucks trust me because we dont have many parks around and then u get hyped because the city builds a "new" park and u can be glad if u get something like this park. our parks suck hard 80% of the time

[@spookisghostly4619]

That lil double hill thing is called a whale tail they're used a lot in mountain biking they're used as sorta pump ramps

[@EmillionWayz]

So excited to see this in my sub box!

[@pyrexiah6289]

This reminds me of reed skatepark in mesa, Arizona ! Just a huge bowl with stuff to skate in the middle and outside

[@maxpotter7711]

actually a bmxers wet dream could ride this place for actual years and not be bored

[@devondolan3886]

damn, John you are seriously talented. so impressive man. All of those 10 tricks on that down rail were incredible.. my fave was the bs tail bigspin. also the switch smith and swith fs blunt. super sweet dude.

[@hover_roller_balance_boards]

That’s my local. Incredible Forest kf the entire pyramid over the stairs. Impressive to see you get tricks there on sketchy hubbas. It’s a fun park. My fav is doing airs off the qp.

[@squeevey]

Now these are obstacles I want see: small rocks, 1" crack at that one lil sweet spot, weird weld on the local rail.

[@SchizoSchnitzel]

holy shit I rewatched the fakie over that rail and you just taught me something thanks bro

[@JohnHill]

what did i teach you???

[@SchizoSchnitzel]

@@JohnHill lol it sounds dumb but your pop technique made me rethink how I should pop, you did like a bounce-pop and I do like a stomp-pop. i guess you're just lighter on your toes as you pop. idk it looked cool af so I had to rewatch it in slowmo to appreciate it

[@EricKuhns]

that fakie 5050 was so sick!

[@MaalaAdrian]

I love hunt park! I blew out my right knee trying to attempt the Forrest gap.. just trying to ollie it lmao Forrest 360 or hardflipped it I forgot

[@runoutman]

I got a room you can stay in if you wanna come back to Riverside or check out Jurupa skatepark up the road. Braxton Powers is in the area, we can give you a pool lesson

[@Iused2sk8]

If you’re ever in phoenix you should try desert west . It’s where they have the phx am

[@privacyviolation]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on highlands park in Ben Lomond CA. Born and raised in that park. Hit Sky Park in Scotts valley while you're there.

[@binarysun_]

Fakie 50 is my most favorite 5040 trick. A clean fakie Ollie to 5050 looks so steezy and for some reason nobody is able to do it 🤷‍♂️

[@Texaslivinoutdoors]

Lol I was doing Community service (done ask why) at that park when I was younger and they were designing this park, they found out I skated and asked my input. They had a meeting that night they invited me to to go over there plans

[@alexleon04]

I always love my local it was great seeing how you’d skate it

[@rickistwoface]

this is my local crazy seeing you skate it

[@mustafaakbari8816]

Where is it ?

[@superduperalexis]

this vids are a design class

[@alexanderallegra432]

I love how your outfit makes me think of a skate dad

[@wydnoob5974]

Dude Forrest edwards kickfliped over the flat and the 6stair from that ramp before it 🤯

[@matthewbrandon267]

Dam dude your vids have been hammers...keep it up man !!! Much ❤️

[@AlexNiedt]

Not a park I like going to all the time, but it's fun once in a while. Can't believe you fakie 50-50'd that rail. Crazy!

[@mustafaakbari8816]

Where is it ?

[@AlexNiedt]

@@mustafaakbari8816 Hunt park in Riverside, CA

[@archery.customs]

Hey John random question for you. What type of camera do you use, and what's your setup like 🤔 frame rate resolution and stuff like that? Just curious because my setup works for my archery channel but not my skate channel 😂

[@WenzelAudio]

I really enjoyed this video. ♥

[@jeffreytgilbert]

This kind of skate park is 100% still being built. All you need is a city planner and a construction company with a cheap contract to build one and tada, you have downtown chicago at least 3 times over.

[@LindaPeluso-lz2wq]

Fakie Ollie over the rail is insane

[@harryredman1508]

when we getting a full John Hill part??

[@justicegaminginc]

I've been into skateboarding since I was a kid cause video games but my fam could never afford to get me a skateboard until 1 Christmas when I actually got my first board however I didn't ride it much because poor balance. Once I got my first job I picked up longboarding to improve my balance and now at age 23 I'm learning to ollie and manual more consistently. Hopefully 1 day I'll be just as good as you and the other pros I pay attention to.

[@mynameisnotslick]

That switch 5050 was very very niceeee 👍🏽

[@Ricksboxoftricks]

Heel side the whole way through the rail 🤌🏽very nice

[@VERBmusic89]

My park has one of those whoopty woo double hump things. I have no idea what to do on it. I just kind ram into it and kinda monster truck my way over and off it haha. The edges are kinda waxed up like the one in the video but I’ve never seen anyone besides myself even use it. Such a strange obstacle I didn’t think I’d ever see another one honestly 😂

[@stevedenis8292]

Is a park like this built very close to a hospital? looks like a money generator for a health care system.

[@boomsitkle]

YES THEY WILLL🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@damiangalvezzzdg4124]

Riverside gang , you should visit the diy down t street its amazing!

[@damiangalvezzzdg4124]

Visit jurupa skatepark as well they got some great transition that is my local