3 ms·

This image does a better job of representing the scale: https://preview.redd.it/3bnqb0cali771.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=8a2762bef35e7fd7767dda3d7764

by spaceman_2020 4y ago

This image does a better job of representing the scale: https://preview.redd.it/3bnqb0cali771.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=8a2762bef35e7fd7767dda3d7764a4904c844d21 https://preview.redd.it/3bnqb0cali771.jpg?width=640&crop=sma...

dathos 4y ago
Looks more like a skatepark to me
- teekert 4y ago
  I was gonna say indeed Id like to bring my rollerblades (yeah Im old).
  - enneff 4y ago
    It’s all gravel, not paved smooth, so maybe a dirt bike would be more appropriate.
    - fuzzfactor 4y ago
      That one "little" paved section looks like it could be creatively used as an outdoor court for some type of team racquetball.
- ben_w 4y ago
  I thought the same for about a second, then I realised the small dots surrounding it are trees. Well, small trees and large bushes, but still.
  - samatman 4y ago
    That particular sort of ground cover has a name: high chaparral. It's about waist high, and smells wonderful, being dominated by mesquite and sage.
    - grosswait 4y ago
      This is in eastern Nevada - I think it is probably going to be sage and greasewood but I agree it smells wonderful.
      - bombcar 4y ago
        I wonder if anyone will maintain it after his death, or if the high desert will reclaim it.
        d0gsg0w00f 4y ago
        Article says there's a $30 million endowment and 4 museums backing it.
- LouisSayers 4y ago
  That would be pretty epic if he started 50 years ago and his life's work was a skatepark! Not sure when they started making skateparks but that would have been extremely forward thinking. Plus, personally I just love skateparks... hahaha
  - yellowapple 4y ago
    Well, 50 years ago was 1972, and the first skatepark was built in 1965, so it's definitely plausible.
    - mysterydip 4y ago
      > 50 years ago was 1972 Please excuse me while I go age in a corner
      - rajamaka 4y ago
        There must be a mistake 50 years ago is permanently 1950
gorgoiler 4y ago
1½ miles long and half a mile wide, in terms of actual scale.
codeulike 4y ago
Wait those dots are trees?
- aaron695 4y ago
cousin_it 4y ago
Reminds me of strip mines: https://placesjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Hanson-Colstrip-17-1020x824.jpg https://placesjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Hanson-... They often have quite interesting shapes, too.
- robocat 4y ago
  The obvious access roads sort of spoil the effect from the aerial view. I tried to find a nice pit mine pictures, but I think lots are pretty (if you like big holes in the ground): https://www.google.com/search?q=open-pit+mine&tbm=isch https://www.google.com/search?q=open-pit+mine&tbm=isch I wonder how it manages with flooding if it rains.
- rainbowzootsuit 4y ago
  Bagger 288 could do a special engagement.
  - jacquesm 4y ago
    It wouldn't take 50 years either.
timnetworks 4y ago
Makes me wonder if the place will be covered with solar panels or sun umbrella vendors.
hn_throwaway_99 4y ago
Thanks very much for posting, I get a much better appreciation for the potential impact of the work at scale than I did just looking at the individual pics in the article. I think it's really cool.

dathos 4y ago

Looks more like a skatepark to me

teekert 4y ago
I was gonna say indeed Id like to bring my rollerblades (yeah Im old).
- enneff 4y ago
  It’s all gravel, not paved smooth, so maybe a dirt bike would be more appropriate.
  - fuzzfactor 4y ago
    That one "little" paved section looks like it could be creatively used as an outdoor court for some type of team racquetball.
ben_w 4y ago
I thought the same for about a second, then I realised the small dots surrounding it are trees. Well, small trees and large bushes, but still.
- samatman 4y ago
  That particular sort of ground cover has a name: high chaparral. It's about waist high, and smells wonderful, being dominated by mesquite and sage.
  - grosswait 4y ago
    This is in eastern Nevada - I think it is probably going to be sage and greasewood but I agree it smells wonderful.
    - bombcar 4y ago
      I wonder if anyone will maintain it after his death, or if the high desert will reclaim it.
      - d0gsg0w00f 4y ago
        Article says there's a $30 million endowment and 4 museums backing it.
LouisSayers 4y ago
That would be pretty epic if he started 50 years ago and his life's work was a skatepark! Not sure when they started making skateparks but that would have been extremely forward thinking. Plus, personally I just love skateparks... hahaha
- yellowapple 4y ago
  Well, 50 years ago was 1972, and the first skatepark was built in 1965, so it's definitely plausible.
  - mysterydip 4y ago
    > 50 years ago was 1972 Please excuse me while I go age in a corner
    - rajamaka 4y ago
      There must be a mistake 50 years ago is permanently 1950

gorgoiler 4y ago

1½ miles long and half a mile wide, in terms of actual scale.

codeulike 4y ago

Wait those dots are trees?

aaron695 4y ago

cousin_it 4y ago

Reminds me of strip mines: https://placesjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Hanson-Colstrip-17-1020x824.jpg https://placesjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Hanson-... They often have quite interesting shapes, too.

robocat 4y ago
The obvious access roads sort of spoil the effect from the aerial view. I tried to find a nice pit mine pictures, but I think lots are pretty (if you like big holes in the ground): https://www.google.com/search?q=open-pit+mine&tbm=isch https://www.google.com/search?q=open-pit+mine&tbm=isch I wonder how it manages with flooding if it rains.
rainbowzootsuit 4y ago
Bagger 288 could do a special engagement.
- jacquesm 4y ago
  It wouldn't take 50 years either.

timnetworks 4y ago

Makes me wonder if the place will be covered with solar panels or sun umbrella vendors.

hn_throwaway_99 4y ago

Thanks very much for posting, I get a much better appreciation for the potential impact of the work at scale than I did just looking at the individual pics in the article. I think it's really cool.