Skateboarding is on the rise! Skateboarding has evolved from a local sport to a global enterprise in the previous decade. The best skateparks in the world are those that stand out from the crowd, built to embody the spirit of invention that drives skateboarding.
Each of the world’s top skateparks is unique, whether in terms of structure, aesthetic, or originality, or cultural effect. It isn’t just about the park’s size or the surface of each obstacle.
This list was compiled after careful consideration of community involvement, aesthetic appeal, and design inventiveness.
Whether you travel to Europe, the United States, the Middle East, or Asia, you’ll come across some of the world’s gnarliest skate parks. The only difficult part will be picking where to go first. Let’s get to the best skatepark across our pale blue dot without further ado (in no particular order).
The biggest skatepark isn’t always the greatest. Other times, it’s the one with the most creative use of materials or the most unique design. You’ll find a little bit of both here, from all over the world.
This list is in no particular order, and it is far from complete.
Still, with each of these, you’ll no doubt have an amazing opportunity to experience something that few can say they’ve achieved. I’m sure I missed a few parks, just let me know and I’ll check out your suggestion.
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1. Black Pearl Skatepark, Cayman Islands
Black Pearl has the potential to be every skateboarder’s fantasy. What could be better than one of the world’s best and largest skateparks smack dab in the middle of the Caribbean?
Just remember to bring your beach gear and surfboard, because this big, 62,000-square-foot park has a gigantic wave pool to the left.
Tony Hawk, a professional skater, opened the park in 2005, which was created by the SITE Design firm. This is a must-see and important skate destination for most experts.
The park caters to skaters of all levels, including beginners, intermediates, and advanced, so no matter how long you’ve been skating, you’ll find something to enjoy.
Every level has quarter- and halfpipes, rails, stairs, concrete basins, and many lines that make seamless transitions. It’s also one of the world’s largest concrete skateparks.
Black Pearl is only available for a few hours seven days a week, and costs vary depending on your choices. You can buy a single-day pass or a monthly pass if you’re lucky enough to remain for that long.
You must, however, wear appropriate equipment, and if you forget to bring your own board, you may rent one. If you only have time to visit one park on this list, make it this one.
2. S.M.P. Skatepark, China
The S.M.P. (Shanghai Multimedia Park) Skatepark in Shanghai was once one of the world’s largest, at just under 45,000 square feet, but the next one on our list, also in China, has since surpassed it in size.
That isn’t to say it isn’t one of the greatest. Along with a huge full pipe, handrails, and hubbas angling down large sets of stairs, you’ll find some of the biggest bowls and longest vertical ramps.
The project was a mammoth task. The creators’ vision for this larger-than-life skatepark came to existence in just over 18 months.
To bring S.M.P. to reality, professional skaters from Australia collaborated with translation teams, swapping ideas and plans before taking on a 300-person construction crew.
In barely eight weeks, the first riding surface was poured, and the rest was soon to follow. At S.M.P., you’ll also find “The Showdown,” a yearly international skate tournament with a name that says it all. It’s a good time to go if you can manage it.
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3. Marseille Bowl Du Prado, France
Near the Plage Du, Prado Beach lies France’s most famous and largest urban-style skatepark. It was once the greatest skatepark in the world, having been built in 1991. However, because there have been so many more since then, it currently shares the title with a few others.
Marseille Du Prado has been in a number of bowl rider events, as well as the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 skateboarding game and the most recent THPS 1-2 remake (I’m debating whether to play the game or continue writing). There are a variety of ramps, high walls, and even frightening bowls with beautiful graffiti art.
If you’re a good skater, you’ll have a terrific time; beginners, on the other hand, may have a harder time.
I went to this park in 1998 for a skate camp, and all I remember is how hot it was and how difficult it was for me to ride the bowl (and perhaps a few guys getting mugged within our of leaving the bus). There are more, but I just tell my friends about them ;).
This is a terrific park to skate if you’re good or at least know how to ride well. The light stays on at night, and biking along the beach and boulevard in a pleasant summer wind was the highlight of my trip. The memories, oh, the memories.
4. Burnside Skatepark, USA
This list is not in any particular sequence, however, if there is one park you must see, it is Burnside. The park was erected illegally at first, but it has stood the test of time. It is still maintained by locals and does not get government financing.
Burnside Park is a public park that has appeared in several Tony Hawk pro skater games (including the remake). There are no entrance costs, and it’s a perfect park for a rainy day because it’s in an abandoned parking lot.
Burnside is a legendary skatepark that paved the way for others like Grindline and Dreamland Skateparks.
5. The Level Skatepark, UK
The Level Skatepark is situated in the heart of Level Parl, a vast open park with Elm Trees and greenery as far as the eye can see. With so many play places, it’s a terrific place to bring your kids (if you have any). While one parent watches the children, the other can go ice skating.
The skatepark’s heart is a big bowl separated by three pieces. The first section (north) is wonderful for novices since it’s quite easy, the second part is a rectangular bowl that’s a little more difficult, and the third part (south) is the most difficult.
Street skaters can spend weeks enjoying themselves on the street plaza, which offers all they need. Curved and flat ledges, banks, and railings abound.
6. Downtown Skate Plaza, Canada
In existence since 2004, Vancouver Skate Plaza covers over covers over 21,500 ft² and is a popular spot among locals for good reasons, and it is well known as one of the top skate parks in the world, specifically for street skaters.
The plaza resembles an urban square seen in many of the world’s greatest cities’ downtown areas, and its design and aesthetic appeal attract visitors from all over the world.
It was Canada’s first street plaza skatepark, renovated in 2011 and measuring just over 26,000 square feet, with plenty of handrails, replica rails, ledges, and stairs to keep you occupied for a while.
The park is largely outside, but there are some covered areas as well. Skating is free, and it’s at a great location for exploring the core of downtown when you need a break.
The future of Downtown Plaza is uncertain at this moment but as long as it’s open, street skaters should visit this iconic park.
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7. Skatepark Los Reyes, Chile
Los Reyes is Chile’s largest outdoor skatepark and one of the world’s most scenic, with abundant of trees and flora. It’s also right on the banks of the Machopo River.
A big street-skating area with a bowl that advances into the shape of a snake, starting with a more gentle design for novice skaters before becoming more vertical and demanding, can be found here. A big bank area with handrails, ramps, and four independent stair sets make up the street zone.
This park has a lot of features, so plan on staying for a few days to skate all of the pyramids, ledges, quarter pipes, wall rides, spines, banks, hips, and more.
Los Reyes does get pretty busy, so keep an eye on your belongings while you are here, especially if you go on a weekend.
It’s open year-round and free, but keep in mind that the rainiest seasons in Chile are between May and September. Also a great place for a night sesh during the mild Chilean summers.
8. Skatepark Amsterdam Zeeburg, Netherlands
This park is one of the biggest outdoor skateparks in Europe and has almost over 43055 square feet of bowls and street (4000m2).
This magnificent park was designed by the top architects (Glifberg+Lykke) and erected by Skateon on behalf of the city of Amsterdam. The much-anticipated park will eventually open in August 2020.
The fine design features and contemporary construction are not something you see every day. The Dutch seem to know what they’re doing when it comes to design and aesthetics.
Aside from friendly residents, the park has snake runs, several street obstacles, and endless bowling alleys. Amsterdam is currently on the international skateboard map and ready to host professional skateboarding and BMX events.
Other than the park, there’s plenty of room for sports and exercise combined with greenery in the middle of an urban area. If you’re in Amsterdam, you have to visit this place, props to Skateboardbruh for the amazing edit and cinematography, and of course, the guy that initiated the project: Stan Postmus.
9. LES Coleman Skatepark, USA
Les Coleman skatepark consists of a half-acre of ramps, rails, and slopes. LES was funded by Nike SB in 2012 and turned into a legendary skatepark underneath the Manhattan Bridge.
If you want to witness some gnarly skateboarding be sure to visit this park, it’s quite popular among NY’s gnarliest skateboarders and appears in many skate videos and Insta clips.
Many popular events like Go Skateboarding day, Harold Hunter Day (since 2007), Come Up Tour, and contests are held at Les skatepark. Open every day from 7 am to 6 pm.
10. Micropolis Skatepark, Finland
The design and aesthetics of Micropolis Skatepark, which is located in the heart of Helsinki, are distinctive. The size isn’t as impressive as the rest of the list, but it’s an award-winning design that deserves to be included.
The space’s designers, including local architect and professional skater Janne Sarrio, had a vision of arranging the portions in such a way that the trees and grassland would be preserved. It is, without a doubt, a street plaza, and others argue it is more of a “architectural phenomena.”
Each part is laid out in a geometric pattern, giving you a good view of the park from all angles and enough of time to plan your line.
The park incorporates existing foliage, such as a metal box with flowers and steps surrounding a tree stump.
The intervals between barriers form a snake-shaped bowl, with a zinc-coated metallic profile protecting the concave surface and allowing for a smoother sliding surface. Pyramids, ramps, distinctively curved ledges, manual pads, spines, banks, and hips are also included.
Micropolis has been dubbed a “garden” skate plaza, and its floor — with the exception of concrete pieces — is made of a material that dries out faster depending on the quantity of rainfall in the area, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to come.