In 2010, WisDOT contractors unearthed a portion of the original Turf skating bowls while excavating a portion of the site in conjunction with the construction of a new off-ramp at W. Loomis Road. This discovery of the bowls, which were filled with gravel, buried and lost in time, sparked a nationwide grassroots movement to bring the site back to its former glory. The City of Greenfield, spearheaded by Mayor Michael Neitzke, vowed that the Turf would be reborn. The City of Greenfield eventually purchased the land from WisDOT with the promise that the site would remain a public park. The City of Greenfield turned to Kapur, knowing it was best equipped to breathe new life into this Midwest skateboarding landmark.
The City of Greenfield knew that with our proven expertise, an unconventional, community-driven approach, and shared vision in "Rebuilding the Turf," they could trust Kapur in restoring the park, beloved by the likes of Tony Hawk, and honor its legacy to make this park the Midwest mecca of skateboarding. With our "all in" approach, Kapur's municipal, site design, natural resources, environmental, and survey departments were quickly brought in early to collaborate with the City of Greenfield, the Turf Skatepark Association, and renowned skatepark builders Grindline Skateparks.
Kapur provided comprehensive survey of the site, including topographic survey, 3D scanning & modeling, environmental assessments, reviews and testing, site layout, and site design services. Our survey and design expertise were especially crucial in spring 2020, when Greenfield Public Works re-excavated the bowls for a second time and inspected the original five bowls. Using the original 1979 Surf-N-Turf Skatepark plans, the team meticulously planned to rebuild these legendary bowls, adding modern flow features and a new street plaza to create a skatepark that honors both its past while embracing the future.
Kapur's involvement continued when groundbreaking began in spring 2024, which saw Kapur provide construction management, inspection, and staking services. Unfortunately, due to further deterioration of the existing concrete bowls over the years and added drainage concerns, the original bowls couldn't be rehabilitated as previously thought. Utilizing the Kapur 3D scans as well as field measurements taken by the Grindline Skatepark's construction team, the bowls were rebuilt from the ground up as close to the existing bowls as possible, capturing the spirit and flow of the original bowls with slight modifications to meet today's skaters' demands.
Officially in June 2025, The Turf once again was reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. With its iconic bowls restored, an added sixth skating bowl, as well as a new modern street course section the Turf's skateable area has quadrupled its original footprint.
With the mission of "Saving the Turf" coming to fruition, The Turf has once again been restored to its former glory, this now free, outdoor skatepark is open to the public and looks to inspire skaters of all ages and skill levels both locally, and across the US.
This project is a testament to perseverance, community, and Kapur's strength in leading projects that require both technical precision and cultural care. Plans for a new parking lot, which will double as a WisDOT Park and Ride, are in the final stages of design, and discussions for further expansion of The Turf skatepark are already in the works.
