Skatopia

Skatopia is an 88-acre (36 ha) skatepark near Rutland, Ohio, United States, owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin.

[1] It was described by one writer as "a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.

"[2] Structures include Lula Bowl, Epcot Bean, Church of Skatin', The Full Pipe, the Amity Whitelight Amphitheatre, the Skateboard Museum and, formerly, King Dong.

After collecting donations from over fifty friends, and signing the contract to purchase the land, he and his pals moved the entire ramp complex to the new location.

Martin says he built the original Skatopia in 1977 at his parents' basement using closet doors, particle board, and other odds and ends.

[3][4] Martin moved back to West Virginia in 1995 where he started work on a permanent Skatopia on leased land at Progress Ridge near Parkersburg.

[3] During this time, the group formed the CIA, or Citizens Instigating Anarchy, where 50 friends donated money to cover the down payment on the final resting place of Skatopia.

Headlamp Productions started filming "Skatopia: 88 Acres of Anarchy" in 2006[12] during which, Duane Peters visited[13] and Brewce Martin served jail time.

[14] In late 2006, Fuel TV featured Skatopia in its "Best Backyard Scenes" countdown episode and awarded the skatepark the #1 position in the US.