Skateboarding
Skateboarding
Learn about the 6 Best skateparks in New York City
Let's take a look at the history of skating in New York City and some of the most thrilling skateparks you have to visit in the city.
New York City is home to thousands of skaters who have made NYC a prime spot that skaters all over the world travel to visit. With unique and gnarly skateparks throughout all five boroughs, there's an abundance of options for skaters of all levels.
Skate and the City: A Brief History of Skateboarding in NYC
New York City has been a Mecca for skaters since the '60s when skaters of all varieties sought refuge in the gnarly skateparks scattered throughout the city. The skateboarding community consisted of everyone from nerds to oddballs to true athletes looking for comradeship and a place to try the latest trick. Over time, the skating community grew to encompass people from all walks of life who were simply there for the culture and friendship.
Today, New York City is home to some of the most well-known skateparks as well as infamous skate groups like the female-only group known as the Brujas. New York City skateboarders are proud of their boroughs and the skateparks you'll find there.
1. LES Skatepark
LES Skatepark is a popular hangout among Manhattan skaters. Also referred to as Coleman or Chinatown Skatepark, this location is one where you're likely to find skate legends showing off their latest tricks of the trade. Obstacles to skate on include the big apple, ledges, kickers, and rails. LES has recently undergone a much-needed remodel that traded the plastic ramps of yore for marble and cement for a revamped look and feel. But don't let the remodel fool you. LES Skatepark is still a hotspot that's loved by the NY skateboard community.
- Location: This park can be found under the Manhattan Bridge on Pike Street.
- Hours: LES Skatepark is open every day of the week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Good to know: Skaters must sign a waiver and are required to wear a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads to use the facility.
2. Pier 62 Skatepark
Pier 62 Skatepark, located in the Hudson River Park, is another popular skatepark in Manhattan and is free to use. This park was erected on top of a marine platform that relies on structural foam to establish various shapes you can skate on. The park is a whopping 15,000 square feet, making it enormous compared to other skateparks in the area.
Pier 62 Skatepark
© Aditya Vyas on Unsplash
Pier 62 Skatepark is especially popular among skaters who enjoy halfpipes, rails, and ramps and is a great park for beginners and experts alike. Favorite features include the Fun Box, which includes a 24-foot ledge and a kinked flat rail and the Ollie Zone which features a two-foot wedge and a three-foot start box.
- Location: You can find Pier 62 at 143 11th Avenue in Manhattan.
- Hours: The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to dusk.
- Best for: Pier 62 is ideal for new skaters and experienced skaters alike.
3. Astoria Skate Plaza
Astoria Skate Plaza is another enormous skatepark located in Astoria Park. This 21,500-square-foot park gives skaters a variety of obstacles to skate on, including banks, rails, multiple levels with stairs, and several ledges of different heights. This large skatepark is great for skaters of all skills and the ample space available ensures you can do your thing without having to worry about colliding with another skater.
- Location: Astoria Skate Plaza is located at Hoyt Avenue South in Astoria, Queens.
- Hours: This park is open every day of the week from dawn to dusk.
- Good to know: Skaters will need to sign a waiver before using the facility and are required to wear elbow pads, knee pads, and helmets.
4. Highbridge Skatepark
Highbridge Skatepark is the largest skatepark in NYC and gives skaters access to various obstacles including concrete ramps, rails, and steel grinding areas. The park was built on an incline to ensure skaters get maximum momentum. Located in Washington Heights underneath the Hamilton Bridge, Highbridge Skatepark offers ample lighting to allow for skating later in the day during the shorter days of the fall and winter months.
- Location: Highbridge Skatepark can be found at 2401 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan.
- Hours: This skatepark is open every day of the week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Best for: Highbridge is a great skatepark for skaters of all levels thanks to its variety of obstacles.
5. Owl's Head Millennium Skatepark
Owl's Head Millennium Skatepark is one of New York City's most open parks and is rarely so packed that it feels overcrowded. The openness of this skatepark ensures skaters have plenty of room to do their thing without having to worry about getting in someone else's path. Owl's Head is situated on the water's edge and is one of the few skateparks in the area to feature a large bowl for skaters to catch maximum air. The bowl is six feet deep and boasts a double coping spine. The park also has a street course that includes bowled corners, banks, ramps, and rails.
- Location: This park is located at Colonial Road in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and can be accessed between 68th Street and Wakeman Place.
- Hours: The park is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Good to know: This park is closed in the winter, so be sure to get your skate on in the warmer months.
6. 5050 Skatepark
5050 Skatepark is home to New York City's only indoor skatepark and can be found in the Stapleton neighborhood on Staten Island. The park is 8,000-square-feet of indoor skater heaven, is open year-round, and can be enjoyed by skaters and other alternative sports athletes alike. The skatepark is also available to host birthday parties and other special events and provides one-on-one skateboarding, BMX, and scootering lessons for those who want to learn the tricks of the trade.
- Location: This park is located at 354 Front Street in Staten Island.
- Hours: Hours of operation vary, so be sure to check online or give the park a call before heading there.
- Good to know: All new participates will be required to sign a waiver and everyone who uses the park must wear a helmet and have their own equipment. Riding sessions start at $14, or you can pay $20 for all-day access to the skatepark.
Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, these skateparks are sure to have the thrill you're looking for.
