URBAN FLOW

Lermontov
  • 600 m2
    total area
  • 250 m
    route lenght
  • 62 days
    design & build

about the project

The first and only 250-meter snake run in Russia, designed with a focus on sustainable development, concrete architecture, and DIY principles. Smooth lines of light concrete trace through the forest, mirroring the shadows of surrounding birch trees and connecting 4 skate spots into one seamless flow. We’ve long dreamed of bringing such a project to life—a park where nature and architectural forms harmoniously intertwine.
A tree belt, pedestrian pathways, and abundant greenery—that’s how we saw the park in Lermontov during our first visit. We were inspired to bring a sense of order and structure to the space, achieving a symbiosis between nature and concrete. Our goal was to emphasize the character of the area, preserve the wild vegetation, and introduce architectural elements.

The challenge was to fit the project into an unconventional layout: no wider than 2 meters but stretching 250 meters in length. Building a traditional skate park here was simply not an option. That’s when the idea emerged to create several skate spots along a single line, connected by a continuous concrete path. And so, the unique snake run was born.
A snake run is a winding track with ups and downs, resembling the motion of a snake—hence its name. Riders mimic the snake’s glide from side to side, gaining speed and creating the sensation of riding small waves, much like surfing. The origins of this style can be traced back to the architectural forms of Alvar Aalto, specifically his famous pool, which inspired the first skateboarders to create similar tracks.

The snake run is perfect for honing control skills and maintaining high speeds as it smoothly transitions from turn to turn. It offers an exciting experience for both beginners and seasoned riders alike.
The XSA architectural bureau drew inspiration from the dynamic energy of the first skateparks of the 1970s. They took a freestyle approach to the design—sketching the park on paper, sculpting the features from clay, and then transferring everything into 3D. The project underwent several revisions to preserve all the trees, integrating them into the park layout and the riders' flow.

The concrete lines were modeled on a computer, and then a team of five builders, led by Tony Tishkin, brought the project to life.
Visualization in progress: clay design & virtual 3D model
Konstantin TARANOV
XSA founder & CEO
The park in Lermontov embodies true skate urbanism within the concept of sustainable development. We carefully integrated the structure into the landscape, ensuring that no trees were destroyed or harmed. The concrete pathway seamlessly complemented the natural surroundings, connecting the terrain trail paths.

What was once an abandoned city park has been transformed into a top-tier destination. We believe that riders—both locals and visitors—will appreciate it, and that the snake run will become a compelling reason for skaters to travel to the Stavropol region. Every shot taken here is bound to look epic, as white concrete architecture rises amidst centuries-old trees.
The first spot of the park starts with a straight roll-in, designed to help riders gain speed, followed by two symmetrical counter-slopes with concrete copings, a massive two-meter bank, and a long concrete quarterpipe. Further along, nestled among the birch trees, is a round roll-in—sharp and dynamic—perfect for executing tricks with flair.
Photo by Jacob
Photo by Leio
Photo by Jacob
Photo by Marion
Photo by Jacob
Photo by Shifaaz
Photo by Mike
Photo by Sven
Photo by Ed
Photo by Jason
Tony TISHKIN
skate park designer & buider
On the second spot, we added special 15 cm indentations. These are perfect for tricks like smith grinds and others, allowing riders to lock in their moves without catching the board.

This park offers endless possibilities for creativity—drop down, jump up, slide along the edges, or leap across like you're clearing a road between sidewalks. Riders are limited only by their imagination. While it's best to ride top to bottom, the flow is flexible, and you can move in both directions seamlessly.
The central spot is radius-shaped, resembling a drained fountain or a dried-up lake. It looks like a pool, featuring a volcano with a tree at its center, a couple of rolls, a gap, and a radius.

The final street section is a symmetrical spot with two china banks and small manual pads, perfect for practicing beginner tricks. The last feature is a three-meter curb, similar to a regular sidewalk edge. However, it’s designed so you don’t have to ollie onto it—you can simply ride up. This makes it ideal for beginners to work on balance and grinds.
Konstantin STYURIN
3D visualizer
Here, you can simply enjoy riding amidst nature, and it never gets boring. Each time, the park feels different. Riding in one direction is exciting, but when you go back the other way, everything seems completely new.

It’s not like standard skateparks, where everything is predictable—rails here, grind boxes there. This place is entirely different: you roll onto one bank, transition to another, and then onto an even bigger one. You jump from one element to the next, and every time it’s a fresh experience.
These 250 meters in the Lermontov Forest could have remained an ordinary walking path, but instead, they became a new point of attraction. Skateparks naturally foster communities, turning into more than just training grounds—they become spaces for all kinds of action sports, places for meetings, connections, and creativity. Even during the construction of the park in Lermontov, a local skater approached the XSA concrete builders and offered to help. It turned out he was a builder by profession and happily joined the team in smoothing out the concrete.

In design, the snake-run in Lermontov is unlike any other skatepark in Russia. Its form evokes associations with contemporary art installations rather than traditional sports facilities. It’s imbued with a spirit of creativity, like a blank white canvas waiting for an artist with paint. This reflects yet another core value of XSA—we aim not just to develop the action sports industry but to do so with beauty and artistry. We want more people to experience architectural craftsmanship and urban culture at its finest.
photo: Alexander BIVOL
видео: Alexander BIVOL, Anton ZUBKOV, Mark OLSHEVSKY

XSA builds
concrete skate parks
of individual projects

Want to know how we do it?

More works

This is just a small glimpse at projects XSA built in 18 years