Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Siedlecki.
brad, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been involved in the action sports world (skateboard, BMX, snowboard) for more than 40 years, so this work started with a love for the places where people ride and the communities that form around them. I’ve lived in Arizona for 30 years and I’ve spent more than 25 years designing and building skateparks.
I started Pillar Design Studios to bring that rider’s perspective into every stage of a project, from listening to the local community through design and construction. Over time, our work has grown to include bike parks, pump tracks, and other action sports facilities. We’ve worked on more than 500 parks around the world, but what still drives me is pretty simple: creating places people are excited to use for years to come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. For a long time, skateparks and bike parks were treated as an afterthought, and part of the challenge was convincing cities that riders deserved thoughtfully designed facilities built to last.
There are also the realities of running a small business: finding the right projects, managing budgets, and working through site conditions that can change a design quickly. I’ve learned a lot from those challenges. They’ve made me a better designer and reinforced why it matters to listen to the people who will actually use the park.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Pillar Design Studios designs and builds places for action sports: concrete skateparks, pump tracks, bike parks, jump lines, skills courses, and everything in between. We help communities from the first conversation and concept sketches through engineering, construction and repairs to existing facilities.
What sets us apart is that I’m both a lifelong skateboarder and have over 25 years of designing and building parks. I know how a park should feel to ride, and I know what it takes to make the design work on a real site and within a real budget. We put a lot of time into listening to local riders, because the best park for a community is one that reflects the people who will use it.
What I’m most proud of is seeing a finished park full of people of different ages and skill levels. When beginners feel welcome, experienced riders find something that challenges them, and the community feels like the place is theirs, we’ve done our job.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If there’s one thing I’d share, it’s that a great skatepark or bike park starts with listening. The local riders and families know what their community needs, and bringing them into the process makes the finished park better.
I’m grateful I get to do work that brings people together. I still skate, and seeing someone try something new, make a friend, or find a place where they belong is a reminder of why I started doing this.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pillardesignstudios.com
- Instagram: @ pillarskateparks @ pillarrideco
- Facebook: pillar design studios
- LinkedIn: Brad Siedlecki
