Kevin Kowalski’s backyard skate complex featured on ESPN.com. Stick around for the end as Kevin extends an invitation that you see him instantly regret as the video fades to black.

I wonder what’s happening with the Gene Pool? Slowly but surely.

It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as John Henry, but the song that was the Peach Orchard met it’s demise courtesy of the Norfolk Southern railway, the property owners. It was railway adjacent, and essentially nothing to them, but they tore it down because the lawyers said they should. Nola.com has the scoop. What did the New Orleans locals get for their trouble? Some leftover ramps from a Red Bull demo and a D.I.Y. hangover. Faster than you can say “hair of the dog,” a new spot is born. Pleasureside is it’s name, and unless I’m mistaken, it’s essentially right next door to the old spot. Even John Henry’s balls weren’t that big! – Thanks to Joey O’Mahoney for the tip.

The Turf isn’t the only skatepark waiting around to be unearthed. Spain’s first skatepark in… In where? They don’t say! Anyway, they’ve been dogging by hand for over a year and have the freestyle platter and one of the bowls unearthed. The video (Digging) is a about 18 minutes long, and you have to wait about 14 to see some present day skating. I would have liked to see more of the surrounding terrain. It’s like they are keeping it a secret. Confusion says it’s near Barcelona in Arenys de munt. So does S.U.S.C. Digging and bonus vid after the jump. I wonder what’s up with saving the Turf? [Source: Bowl to Be a Trail ] – Thanks to Michael Pfister for the tip.

The Lost Bowl in Richmond, VA is trying to wrap things up with a Kickstarter project that they are very, very close to getting, but time is running out. Head on over an give them a boost if you are so inclined. Back this project: Do it here, now.

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in on the Gene Pool. Looks like he’s been hitting the rebar. Check out My D.I.Y..

Outsider trade magazine articles on skateboarding and skateparks can usually be summed up by one or more of the following generalizations: uninformed, boring, misleading, or a steaming pile of excrement. When they aren’t it’s always because they were written by someone in the know, in this case, Portland skateboarding fixture Ben Wixon, who aside from being a teacher is also involved with Skaters for Public Skateparks and something called Drop Into Skateboarding, an organization formed by a few other names you might recognize. Aside from having a stimulating title, Recreation Management published an article titled The Evolution of Public Skateparks, written by Ben. You can read it online, or look for the cover at a very boring and/or thorough newsstand near you. What’s the takeaway? Two things. The push for more integrated spaces as opposed to an isolated facility in the middle of nowhere, and: The experts surveyed unanimously agreed that concrete surfaces have overwhelmingly become the material of choice for skateboarding performance and durability. It’s not a fascinating read, but you have to think of the target audience. The only beef I have is that it looks like they used a picture of a Skatepark in Indiana and label…

Brooklyn Street Skate Spot Benefit on February 18th at Commonwealth, just about a week shy of Commonwealth’s 1 year anniversary. The BSSS benefit is from 7-10, with alleged bands (who?) raffles, food and beer. OK, I’m not going to argue. Flyer and video from Commonwealth’s grand opening after the jump.

Looks like a new paint job for Donald. Photo by Steve Grover.

Gene Bowles backyard project gets bigger. He’s got updates planned for My DIY but you can catch some pictures here. Looks like it’s going to be a blast. Gene must have one cool girlfriend and/or wife and/or landlord.