Rob Owen grew up skating the legendary Turf Skatepark in Milwaukee, where his deep connection to concrete skateparks first took root. This passion for transition-based terrain followed him to Seattle in 1996, where he became a key figure in the construction of the West Seattle Bowls—a pivotal DIY project that helped define the Pacific Northwest’s skate scene.
In 2002, Rob co-founded Grindline Skateparks alongside Mark “Monk” Hubbard and Dave “Shaggy” Palmer. Over the past two decades, he has worked on and led the construction of some of the most influential skateparks in the world, refining his expertise in shaping transition and pushing the boundaries of skatepark design. Now, as Senior Site Superintendent for Grindline, Rob has built hundreds of skateparks across the country, each one a testament to his vision, skill, and relentless pursuit of perfection.
In 2024, Rob returned to be part of the historic rebuilding of The Turf, bringing his journey full circle. Set to finish in 2025, the project is a defining moment in his career—reconstructing the skatepark that started it all.
