Mark "Monk" Hubbard (October 27, 1970 – June 8, 2018) was a skateboarder, artist, skatepark builder, and founder of Grindline Skateparks.[2][3][4][5][6]

Mark "Monk" Hubbard
BornOctober 27, 1970[1]
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
DiedJune 8, 2018
Occupation(s)Skateboarder, Skatepark builder, artist

Early life edit

Hubbard was born in West Seattle in 1970 and received his first skateboard in 1975 for his fifth birthday.[6]

Skatepark building edit

In regards to skateparks, Hubbard believed in DIY skate spots and building one's own skateboarding paradise, stating that there is nothing that compares to riding an obstacle you've built.[4] Monk was involved in the Burnside Skatepark project.[3]

Grindline Skateparks edit

On January 26, 2000 Monk founded Grindline Skateparks. As of 2015, Grindline had built over 300 parks across the world.[3][7][8] During his life, Hubbard helped design and build hundreds of skate parks.[9] Some consider Monk to be the originator of the modern skate park design.[9]

Wounded Knee 4-Directions Toby Eagle Bull Memorial Skatepark edit

Hubbard was part of the core group, alongside Pine Ridge Native Walt Pourier, Jim Murphy, and Jeff Ament, that originated the idea to build the Wounded Knee 4-Directions Toby Eagle Bull Memorial Skatepark on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.[10] Grindline designed and constructed the skatepark, completing the park in 2011.[11]

Skatepark Highway System edit

In 2015, Hubbard predicted a future where major cities provide a skatepark system highway, intentionally connecting the skateparks.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ "Pools Pipes & Punk Rock – Tribute to Mark "Monk" Hubbard". Juice Magazine. 18 September 2018.
  2. ^ "UPDATE: Mark Hubbard, founder of Grindline Skateparks has died | Westside Seattle". www.westsideseattle.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  3. ^ a b c d "RIP IN PEACE: Mark "Monk" Hubbard". www.thrashermagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  4. ^ a b "Grosso's Loveletters remembers Mark Hubbard". Sidewalk Skateboarding. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  5. ^ walt (13 January 2019). "In memory of Mark "Monk" Hubbard | Stronghold Society". Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  6. ^ a b "Loveletters To Skateboarding to Mark "Monk" Hubbard". Juice Magazine. 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  7. ^ "DUTY NOW FOR THE FUTURE: MONK HUBBARD". Juice Magazine. 2006-09-01. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  8. ^ "The Cult of Concrete - Mark Hubbard and Grindline Skateparks". Sidewalk Skateboarding. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  9. ^ a b "Dead at 47, legendary skate park designer Mark Hubbard left his mark in Spokane and around the world | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  10. ^ "Stronghold Society's WK4-Directions Skatepark Kickstarter *skateboards are on sale now". Pearl Jam Community. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  11. ^ Walker, Taté (13 September 2018). "Skate Parks Save Lives: Culture Benefits and Ollies for Native Youth". Indian Country Today. Retrieved 2022-01-15.


External links edit