I think PK competitions have two distinct variations as far as course design. APEX and Visions demonstrate the indoor, purpose-built courses and Jump City: Seattle demonstrated the outdoor, minimally altered courses. Personally I prefer the latter whenever possible; obviously weather can be an issue but I think it adds to real-world adaptability we all covet.
For instance, at many Philly jams we have a challenge called "The Rocky Challenge". It involves starting at the top of the famous Art Museum steps from the Rocky movies and, following the large granite blocks along the edges of the fountains, making your way down to street level and back again. Here's a picture for reference.
We consider the challenge accomplished if you do it in under a minute. Some of the best times recorded so far are around 40sec and I can tell you, after doing this challenge myself several times, it absolutely wrecks you physically. The point of all this is that I think competitions should take place on the areas we train in already. It might give locals an advantage but I'd much prefer the unique identity of these courses over the barely changing ones like Art of Motion. A little addition like a scaffold or a box or two is fine, but there can be too much of a good thing.
Also, Philly Art Museum offers a perfect place to test precision/striding. Just check out the small bullet-shaped pillars that line the front. Perfect to time somebody going to the museum entrance and back, maybe even tack it on to the original Rocky Challenge.
