Ten important skateboard spots in Aurora, Illinois
1. Aurora Skatepark (Phillips Park)
Aurora Skatepark is the crown jewel of skateboarding in the city. Located in the expansive Phillips Park, this skatepark is a must-visit for skaters of all levels. With 15,000 square feet of concrete, the park includes various features like quarter pipes, funboxes, rails, pyramids, and more. Its design caters to both beginner and intermediate skaters, making it an accessible yet challenging spot. The smooth transitions and street-style elements, such as ledges and manual pads, allow skaters to practice technical tricks or simply cruise. The park is well-maintained, and its scenic location inside one of Aurora’s most famous parks adds to its appeal.
Phillips Park is not just home to the skatepark, but also offers plenty of amenities such as picnic areas, playgrounds, and a zoo, making it a perfect spot for skaters to enjoy a day out with friends or family. The addition of lights also allows for night sessions, making it one of the busiest spots in town.
2. Hurd Skatepark
Hurd Skatepark is a more low-key but equally enjoyable park in Aurora. Located on the city’s west side, this smaller but well-designed skatepark offers a cozy environment for skaters looking to hone their skills without the crowds. While it’s a little smaller than Aurora Skatepark, Hurd has a solid mix of ramps, ledges, and grind rails. Its slightly more compact layout makes it great for intermediate skaters who want to work on transition skills.
The park is located next to a community center and is surrounded by open fields, giving it a peaceful vibe, which makes it popular among locals. It’s also a great place for those learning to skate, as the smaller crowds mean there’s more space to practice without the pressure of an audience.
3. Waubonsie Lake Park Trails
For those who prefer street skating or just cruising, Waubonsie Lake Park offers a scenic and lengthy trail network perfect for skateboarders. The smooth, paved trails that meander through the park around the lake provide ample space for longboarding or relaxed cruising. While it’s not a designated skatepark, the wide paths and gentle slopes allow skaters to enjoy Aurora’s natural beauty while riding.
Waubonsie Lake Park is ideal for skaters looking for a peaceful escape, especially for longboarders who enjoy distance skating. The park’s greenery, views of the lake, and variety of other activities like fishing and hiking make this spot more than just a skating destination—it's a recreational haven.
4. RiverEdge Park
Aurora’s downtown is home to RiverEdge Park, a popular spot not only for concerts and festivals but also for skateboarders. The area around the park offers smooth, paved surfaces, small inclines, and ledges perfect for street skating. The downtown area is rich in urban features such as benches, stairs, and manual pads, making it a great spot for skaters to test their street skills.
While not a designated skate area, RiverEdge Park's open spaces and modern design provide a playground for street skaters who prefer an urban setting over a traditional skatepark. On quieter days, the park and surrounding streets become a hot spot for skaters looking for a change of scenery.
5. Vaughan Athletic Center Skate Spot
This hidden gem lies just outside the Vaughan Athletic Center. While it is primarily a recreation facility, the area around the center features some prime street skating spots, including smooth pavement, stair sets, and a variety of ledges. The proximity to the athletic center makes it a low-key but convenient location for local skaters looking for a place to ride without having to go far from their community.
Though it lacks designated ramps or features, the Vaughan Athletic Center has become a popular spot for creative skaters who can turn everyday urban structures into obstacles. The quiet, suburban setting allows skaters to focus on their tricks in a laid-back environment.
6. Aurora University Campus
Aurora University’s campus is another underrated spot for skaters who enjoy street skating. With its spacious layout, the campus features a variety of ledges, stair sets, and handrails that are perfect for technical tricks. The university’s wide sidewalks and smooth surfaces offer plenty of space for cruising, and on weekends or during breaks, the quiet campus becomes a great playground for skateboarders.
While security is generally friendly, it’s always best to skate respectfully and avoid high-traffic areas, especially when school is in session. The variety of architectural features makes Aurora University a spot where skaters can experiment with new tricks.
7. West Aurora Plaza Parking Lot
West Aurora Plaza may be a shopping center, but after hours, its sprawling parking lot transforms into an unofficial skate spot. The smooth, flat pavement and abundance of curbs and loading docks make it a great spot for skaters who like to practice manual tricks, ledge tricks, or just enjoy the simplicity of skating flatground.
As with any retail location, it’s important for skaters to be mindful of property rules and local security, but many have found that early mornings or late evenings offer prime conditions for skating. The large space gives skaters plenty of room to practice without worrying about crowds or traffic.
8. McCullough Park
McCullough Park, located along the Fox River, is another great spot for cruising and practicing flatground tricks. While the park itself isn’t designed for skateboarding, the open paved areas and riverfront views make it an ideal location for relaxed skating. The park’s pathways and picnic areas are also perfect for longboarding or casual rides.
The proximity to downtown Aurora makes McCullough Park a favorite among local skaters who enjoy a blend of street and park features. Its picturesque location by the river also makes it a scenic backdrop for skating videos and photography.
9. Downtown Aurora Streets
For the street skaters out there, downtown Aurora offers a treasure trove of urban features perfect for skating. The blend of old and modern architecture provides a variety of stairs, handrails, ledges, and manual pads scattered throughout the city streets. Some popular spots include the areas around the Paramount Theatre, various parking garages, and the local train station.
The downtown streets are well-paved, and during quieter times of the day or weekends, they become a prime spot for skaters looking to test their skills in a more urban environment. Skaters should be aware of pedestrians and local ordinances but will find plenty of exciting challenges in Aurora’s downtown core.
10. Blackberry Farm
Though primarily known as a family-friendly historical and recreational park, Blackberry Farm offers some interesting terrain for adventurous skaters. The park’s paved pathways and large open areas are suitable for longboarding or cruising, making it a peaceful location for skaters who want to combine history and skating. Its unique setting, surrounded by historical buildings and natural beauty, provides a relaxed atmosphere ideal for laid-back sessions.
Blackberry Farm may not be the first place you’d think of for skating, but for those looking for a tranquil spot to ride, it provides a nice contrast to more urban environments.
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.
BellyRash