“The Upland Pipeline raised the bar when it opened. Skate environments were forever changed and the level of skating increased along with them. Backyarders will always be the staple and parks the breeding grounds. This photo was taken about the same time Skatopia opened. Pre-Hester. Obviously the pipe was a game changer for a park. Tay Hunt absolutely destroyed it early on. I remember skaters showing up to skate and being completely intimidated. The biggest rush was carving down the channel at Mach speed and dropping into the fifteen footer. Nothing but adrenaline!” - Chris Strople