Ten important skateboard spots in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1. Hollywood Skate Park
Although technically located just outside Fort Lauderdale in Hollywood, Florida, this skate park is a favorite for skaters in the Fort Lauderdale area. Hollywood Skate Park is known for its smooth concrete and well-designed layout, offering something for every skill level. The park features a large bowl, multiple ramps, rails, ledges, and open spaces for practicing tricks.
Skaters appreciate the mix of obstacles that cater to both street and transition skating. Beginners can practice on the smaller ramps while more advanced skaters can tackle the deep bowl or complex street elements. The park's well-maintained facilities and vibrant community make it a top spot for skaters who want to push their limits.
2. Mills Pond Skate Park
Mills Pond Park is one of Fort Lauderdale’s most prominent skateboarding destinations, located in a larger recreational park. The skate park itself is built on a large area with plenty of room for street-style skating. It features a range of obstacles including stair sets, handrails, hubbas, and ledges, making it ideal for skaters who prefer technical tricks.
What sets Mills Pond apart is its balance of street and transition features. The park’s half-pipe is a favorite among vert skaters, while the street plaza layout is perfect for those looking to master flat ground tricks or practice rails and gaps. The variety of terrain at Mills Pond Park ensures that skaters of all preferences and skill levels will find something that suits them.
3. Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Promenade
The Fort Lauderdale beachfront promenade offers a unique combination of scenic views and street skating opportunities. While not a designated skate park, the beachfront is popular among skaters who enjoy the open space, smooth pavement, and the possibility of hitting various ledges, curbs, and gaps along the way.
The wide pathways and minimal traffic make it a great spot for cruising and working on lines. Skaters can roll alongside the beach, taking in the ocean view while honing their skills. While it’s important to stay mindful of pedestrians, this spot allows skaters to experience street skating in a relaxed environment.
4. Pompano Beach Skatepark
Located just north of Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach Skatepark is a short drive away and offers a high-quality experience. This skatepark is known for its extensive array of features, including multiple bowls of varying depths, a snake run, and a street section with ledges, stairs, and rails.
Pompano Beach Skatepark is designed to accommodate both transition and street skaters, with smooth transitions between elements and plenty of opportunities to catch air or grind ledges. The park’s friendly vibe and well-maintained surfaces make it a favorite for skaters seeking a change of pace from the more urban skate spots in Fort Lauderdale.
5. Lauderdale Lakes Skate Park
Lauderdale Lakes Skate Park, another great option just outside of Fort Lauderdale, is a hidden gem in the local skateboarding scene. It features a mix of street and vert elements, making it a versatile option for skaters who want to switch up their style. With quarter pipes, ramps, and rails, the park caters to all skill levels.
One of the park’s standout features is its pyramid and multiple ledges, which offer a great training ground for street skaters looking to perfect their technical tricks. The park is less crowded than some of the larger parks in the area, which allows for a more relaxed skating experience.
6. Esplanade Park
Esplanade Park, located along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, is a popular spot for skateboarders who enjoy street skating. Although not a designated skate park, the park’s wide, smooth paths, ledges, and stair sets make it an attractive destination for skaters.
Skating in Esplanade Park offers a true street skating experience, with a variety of urban obstacles like ledges, manual pads, and benches that can be used creatively. The park's location in downtown Fort Lauderdale also adds to the appeal, giving skaters access to the bustling city environment while enjoying the waterfront views.
7. Holiday Park Skate Park
Holiday Park Skate Park is another fantastic option within Fort Lauderdale, designed with skaters of all levels in mind. The park offers a street-style layout, with rails, stairs, and ledges. Additionally, the park has a unique vert ramp that allows for a mix of technical street tricks and transition skating.
One of the highlights of Holiday Park is its community feel. It’s a popular spot for local skaters to meet up and collaborate, often hosting local skate events and competitions. The park’s consistent maintenance and friendly atmosphere keep it a top destination for skaters in Fort Lauderdale.
8. Plantation Skate Park
Though located slightly west of Fort Lauderdale in Plantation, Florida, this skate park is worth the short trip. Plantation Skate Park features an array of obstacles, from bowls and ramps to ledges and rails, making it versatile for both street and transition skaters.
The park’s design is particularly user-friendly, with a flowing layout that encourages continuous movement between features. Its mix of street elements and open spaces provides a balance for skaters who want to practice different types of tricks in one session. Additionally, the park’s well-maintained grounds and friendly community make it a welcoming spot for skaters of all levels.
9. Markham Park Mountain Bike Trails (Skateboard Path)
While known primarily for its mountain bike trails, Markham Park also offers a paved trail system that is popular among longboarders and skaters who enjoy cruising. The smooth, winding paths cut through scenic landscapes, making this an ideal spot for skaters who want to relax and enjoy a scenic ride.
Skating at Markham Park is less about performing tricks and more about the joy of cruising through nature. The long stretches of pavement provide a smooth ride for longboarders, and the natural surroundings create a peaceful environment away from the hustle and bustle of urban Fort Lauderdale.
10. Downtown Fort Lauderdale Street Spots
While not a single location, downtown Fort Lauderdale is full of hidden gems for street skaters. From ledges and stairs to banks and manual pads, downtown offers a variety of urban obstacles. Popular spots include the government buildings, which often have smooth marble ledges, and the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk, which offers manual pads and stairs.
Skating downtown Fort Lauderdale provides the excitement of navigating through the city while finding creative uses for the environment. Though some spots may be more challenging due to security or crowds, the thrill of discovering new street obstacles keeps skaters coming back.
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