Ten important skateboard spots in Amarillo, Texas
1. John Stiff Memorial Skate Park
One of the best-known skate spots in Amarillo is the John Stiff Memorial Skate Park, located within the larger John Stiff Memorial Park. This skate park features a variety of ramps, rails, and bowls designed for skaters of all skill levels. Its central location makes it a convenient stop for local skaters and visitors alike.
The park’s layout offers a range of obstacles, including half-pipes, fun boxes, and a pyramid with rails. For transition skaters, there’s a bowl with smooth transitions perfect for practicing tricks or carving lines. Street skaters will appreciate the abundance of ledges and rails. The park is usually buzzing with energy, especially on weekends, when skaters from around the area converge to showcase their skills and hang out.
In addition to skateboarding, the surrounding park has basketball courts, walking paths, and open fields, making it a great spot to bring friends or family. While the skate park is the main draw, its integration with the broader park adds a welcoming atmosphere for all types of visitors.
2. Thompson Park
Thompson Park, located in the northern part of Amarillo, is more than just a scenic location with walking trails and picnic areas. It’s also a hidden gem for skateboarders. Although it doesn’t have a formal skate park, its wide-open paved spaces, winding sidewalks, and mild slopes make it an ideal spot for cruising or practicing tricks in a relaxed, low-key environment.
Skaters often enjoy Thompson Park for its peaceful surroundings. The smooth pathways around the lake and between the trees offer a different kind of skateboarding experience, away from the crowds of traditional skate parks. It’s an excellent place for beginners to hone their skills, especially in balance and maneuvering.
Additionally, because Thompson Park is relatively less crowded than the major skate parks, skaters can enjoy longer uninterrupted runs and experiment with street skating in an open environment. The park is well-maintained, providing a smooth surface ideal for flat-ground tricks and casual cruising.
3. Amarillo College Campus
While Amarillo College may not seem like a conventional skate spot, many skaters in the area have found the campus to be a treasure trove of ledges, stairs, and rails. The smooth pavement and abundance of stair sets make it ideal for street skaters looking to challenge themselves.
The campus offers a variety of spots, from manual pads and small ledges to larger stair sets and handrails for more advanced skaters. While it’s important to be mindful of campus security and the flow of foot traffic, skaters who visit after hours or on weekends can often find quiet spots to practice without disruption.
One of the highlights of skating on campus is the variety of terrain it offers in a compact area. Skaters can transition from practicing grinds on a ledge to attempting gaps and stair sets without walking far. The campus is clean and well-maintained, which is an added bonus for street skaters who prefer a pristine surface.
4. Medical Center Park (Medi-Park)
Medical Center Park, or Medi-Park as it’s locally known, is another unexpected yet popular spot for Amarillo skaters. Like Thompson Park, it doesn’t have a dedicated skate park, but its extensive walking paths and scenic surroundings make it a popular place for cruising and flat-ground tricks.
The smooth, paved paths that wind around the lake and through the park provide long, uninterrupted runs for skaters looking to work on their endurance or cruising style. There are also several natural inclines and declines that offer a mild challenge for skaters who enjoy transitioning between flat and downhill skating.
Medi-Park is ideal for skaters who want a laid-back environment away from the busy city center. The park's atmosphere is peaceful, and its scenic beauty adds to the experience. Skaters can glide along the paths, taking in the view of the lake, fountains, and trees, making it a refreshing change from urban skating environments.
5. Amarillo Skate Park
Amarillo Skate Park, also known as Southeast Park Skatepark, is another major skateboarding destination in the city. It offers a range of features, including a mini ramp, half-pipes, and a concrete bowl. Its compact size is perfect for beginners, but it also offers challenges for more advanced skaters.
The park is primarily made of concrete, offering a fast and smooth surface. One of the standout features is its well-designed flow, which allows skaters to move from one section to another without losing momentum. The variety of obstacles includes quarter-pipes, fun boxes, and ledges, catering to both street and transition skaters.
Though it's not as large as some of the other parks in the region, Amarillo Skate Park makes up for its size with its versatility and fun atmosphere. It’s a spot where both beginners and experienced skaters can enjoy a session, whether they’re trying out new tricks or just having a good time with friends.
6. Tradewind Airport Parking Lot
For street skaters who prefer urban environments, the Tradewind Airport parking lot is an under-the-radar spot in Amarillo. While skating in parking lots is often an impromptu activity, Tradewind Airport's lot is particularly suited to flat-ground tricks and manual practice.
The vast, open lot offers plenty of space for skaters to experiment with different maneuvers without the constraints of traditional skate parks. Many local skaters enjoy the freedom of skating here, and its wide, flat surfaces make it perfect for practicing technical tricks such as ollies, kickflips, and manuals.
While skaters should be aware of traffic and local regulations, this spot is popular due to its accessibility and openness. For those who love the challenge of street skating, the Tradewind Airport parking lot provides a blank canvas to work on tricks without the pressure of performing in front of a crowd.
7. Martin Road Complex
Located in the northeast part of the city, Martin Road Complex has become a popular destination for Amarillo skaters. Though primarily known for its sports facilities, such as baseball and soccer fields, the complex also boasts an expansive parking area and several smooth pathways perfect for skateboarding.
The parking lots are well-maintained and offer smooth, even surfaces, making them great for flat-ground tricks. Skaters who enjoy cruising can take advantage of the long stretches of pavement that wind through the complex. On quiet days, the area becomes an informal skate spot where locals can practice without interference.
Though the complex lacks the ramps and rails found in traditional skate parks, its wide, open spaces and accessibility make it a popular choice for skaters who want a change of pace from crowded skate parks. The combination of sports fields and skating options also makes it a family-friendly location.
8. Downtown Amarillo
The streets of downtown Amarillo offer a variety of unique skate spots for street skaters. The area is filled with hidden gems, including stair sets, handrails, and ledges. While skating in urban environments always comes with the challenge of navigating pedestrians and traffic, the downtown area offers plenty of quiet spots, especially in the early mornings or late evenings.
One of the most popular spots for street skaters is the collection of benches and ledges near the Civic Center. These smooth concrete surfaces are ideal for grinds and manuals. The area around the historic buildings and courthouses also offers a variety of gaps and steps to test your skills.
Skating downtown is not just about the physical challenge; it's about the thrill of skating in an urban landscape. The mix of architecture, public art, and city life gives the experience a different vibe than skating in a traditional park. Just be cautious and respectful of businesses and pedestrians when skating in this area.
9. Tascosa High School
High school campuses are often favorite skate spots due to their unique architecture, and Tascosa High School in Amarillo is no exception. This school features a variety of ledges, manual pads, and stair sets that attract skaters looking to hone their street skills.
The campus offers numerous challenges, including multiple staircases with handrails, which are perfect for advanced skaters looking to tackle grinds or flips down stairs. The smooth pavement around the school’s courtyards and walkways provides ample opportunity for flat-ground tricks, while the variety of architectural features allows for creative skating.
Skating at Tascosa High School, especially outside of school hours, gives skaters a chance to explore a variety of terrain in one compact location. However, as with any school, skaters should be mindful of local rules and avoid skating during times when students and staff are present.
10. The Old Route 66 Bridge
For adventurous skaters looking for a more unique location, the Old Route 66 Bridge, located just outside the city limits, provides an unforgettable experience. The bridge, which has been closed to traffic for years, offers a weathered but still skateable surface for those seeking a challenge.
Though it's not a traditional skate spot, the Old Route 66 Bridge's sloping structure and long, open deck offer a distinctive skating experience. Skaters who visit this spot are rewarded with an unobstructed view of the Texas plains, making it a beautiful place to skate, especially during sunrise or sunset.
This spot is ideal for skaters who enjoy the thrill of skating in unconventional locations. However, the aged structure and rougher surfaces mean that this spot is more suited for experienced skaters who know how to handle less-than-perfect conditions. Safety is key here, but for those who make the trek, it’s a unique experience that captures the essence of adventure in skateboarding.
Skateboarding is tribal and most locals are welcoming, but if you're new to a spot, or just passing through, have respect for the locals. Listen. Be smart. Have fun.
A human being
Art can change the world – and everybody is an artist. Those who scribble stickmen. Those who paint chapel ceilings. Those who tattoo biceps. Those who are careful with pigment on canvas. Those who create fantasy characters. Those who paint pet portraits. Those who yarn bomb. Those who write poems on crappy old cardboard.
My art lives on the bottom of skateboard decks. It's designed for you to destroy. For you, the rider, my art may come second to the deck’s ability to perform – and that’s awesome. To me, art comes first. Always.
It’s how I think. It’s who I am. It’s what I am.
A machine
This article has been created with the help of artificial intelligence platforms ChatGPT and Bard. If there are inaccuracies or there are opportunities for improvement, please let me know.
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