Ten important skateboard spots in Joliet, Illinois
1. Inwood Skate Park
Location: 3200 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60431
Inwood Skate Park is one of the most popular skateboarding spots in Joliet. It is located within the Inwood Sports Complex, which hosts a variety of recreational activities. The skatepark features a concrete surface and offers several types of terrain, including ramps, rails, and quarter pipes. The diversity of obstacles at Inwood Skate Park makes it appealing for skaters of all levels. There's a large bowl for transition skaters, as well as ledges and rails for street skaters. The park is spacious and designed for fluid movement, allowing skaters to move easily between features.
Why it's popular: This professionally designed park is well-maintained, with ample space to explore different lines and tricks. Its central location in Joliet makes it a go-to spot for local skaters, and its clean design ensures that skaters can focus on their practice without worrying about rough terrain or obstacles. Skaters also appreciate the relatively relaxed atmosphere, where they can skate without the pressure of large crowds.
2. Nowell Park
Location: 199 Mills Rd, Joliet, IL 60433
Nowell Park is another excellent spot for skaters in Joliet. While it isn't a dedicated skatepark, its spacious, open areas and wide paths make it a great place to cruise around. The park also offers various small concrete ledges and natural slopes, which can be great for practicing grinds, manuals, and other tricks. Many skaters enjoy the freedom of open parks like Nowell because they can skate at their own pace, without the formal structure of a skatepark.
Why it's popular: The park's wide spaces and quiet atmosphere allow skaters to focus on enjoying their ride without the worry of pedestrians or crowds. Nowell Park is a versatile place for skating, allowing for casual cruising as well as more technical skating, especially for those looking to master flat ground tricks.
3. Veterans Memorial Park
Location: 3000 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60435
Veterans Memorial Park is a popular spot among skateboarders due to its spacious and well-paved areas. Though primarily designed as a recreational park for various sports, the large paved areas offer a smooth surface for cruising and practicing tricks. The park has several benches and ledges that are often utilized by skaters for grinds and slides. The surrounding scenery of trees and open space adds to the relaxed vibe of the park, making it a favorite hangout spot for local skaters.
Why it's popular: Veterans Memorial Park is perfect for skaters looking for a relaxed and open environment to practice street tricks. The flat ground and various obstacles create a hybrid between a typical park and a street skating experience. Its clean and spacious design provides ample room to practice without interference from pedestrians or other athletes.
4. Louis Joliet Mall
Location: 3340 Mall Loop Dr, Joliet, IL 60431
Though not officially a skate spot, the Louis Joliet Mall has been a well-known destination for street skaters in Joliet. The mall's large parking lots, stairs, and ledges provide plenty of options for street-style skateboarding. This location is best for experienced skaters due to the high-traffic environment and potential encounters with mall security. However, its vast space and mix of concrete obstacles make it a favorite for those who enjoy street skating.
Why it's popular: The variety of stairs, rails, and ledges around the mall creates a classic street skating experience. Although there is a risk of getting kicked out by security, the excitement and challenges that come with skating in this urban environment draw many skaters to the spot. For those who love technical street tricks, this is one of the top locations to explore in Joliet.
5. Forest Park
Location: 2114 McDonough St, Joliet, IL 60436
Forest Park is a more casual skating spot that offers a peaceful environment for skaters looking to cruise or practice basic tricks. It features wide paths, gentle slopes, and plenty of open space. While it lacks traditional skatepark structures like ramps or rails, it’s a great spot for beginners to practice balance, coordination, and simple flat-ground tricks like ollies and shuvits.
Why it's popular: Skaters appreciate the relaxed atmosphere of Forest Park, where they can focus on casual cruising or honing basic skills. Its serene environment is perfect for beginner and intermediate skaters who want a low-pressure space to practice. The park is less crowded than other Joliet spots, allowing for a more personal skating experience.
6. Joliet Public Library
Location: 150 N Ottawa St, Joliet, IL 60432
The Joliet Public Library is an iconic street skate spot due to its smooth surfaces, ledges, and stairs. Skaters have long used this area for street-style skateboarding, thanks to its urban architecture. The library's front steps and the surrounding ledges offer excellent spots for grinds, manuals, and technical flip tricks. However, like many street spots, skaters need to be mindful of security and public foot traffic.
Why it's popular: The clean concrete and abundance of ledges and stairs make the Joliet Public Library an ideal place for experienced street skaters looking for an urban challenge. Its downtown location and classic street-style layout give skaters the feel of skating in a major city.
7. Heggie Field
Location: 2100 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60435
Heggie Field is more of a hidden gem in the Joliet skating scene. Located within a larger park area, it features a few skateable elements like rails, ledges, and open concrete areas. It’s a quiet, low-traffic spot where skaters can focus on practicing without being disturbed by large crowds or security. Heggie Field is best for intermediate skaters who want to work on their street skills in a more relaxed setting.
Why it's popular: Skaters love the tranquil environment of Heggie Field, which allows for focused practice on tricks like grinds and manuals. The simple layout and smooth surfaces provide an excellent training ground for perfecting technical tricks without the pressure of crowds.
8. Joliet Junior College
Location: 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431
The Joliet Junior College campus is another hot spot for street skaters in the area. With smooth concrete pathways, stairs, rails, and ledges scattered throughout the campus, it offers a variety of urban obstacles. Although it's not an official skatepark, the campus has become a favorite for skaters looking to explore a range of street-style challenges. Skating on the campus requires caution, as there may be security personnel or students, but the mix of obstacles makes it worth the risk for many skaters.
Why it's popular: The diversity of obstacles—ranging from handrails to manual pads—gives skaters the chance to experiment with different tricks. The clean, modern design of the campus also creates a great aesthetic for street skating. Despite the occasional interference from security, the campus remains a go-to spot for advanced skaters seeking new challenges.
9. Pillars Skate Park
Location: 1107 Plainfield Rd, Joliet, IL 60435
Pillars Skate Park is a smaller, community-oriented skate spot that has gained popularity among local skaters. The park features ramps, quarter pipes, rails, and ledges, making it a versatile spot for both beginners and experienced skaters. It's a well-maintained park with a friendly atmosphere, making it an excellent spot for skaters looking to practice in a supportive community environment.
Why it's popular: Pillars Skate Park is beloved for its welcoming vibe and accessibility. Its variety of obstacles allows skaters to work on different skills, and the close-knit community of skaters ensures that newcomers feel supported. It’s a fantastic spot for skaters who want a mix of street and transition-style obstacles in a low-pressure environment.
10. Black Road Bridge
Location: Black Rd & Essington Rd, Joliet, IL 60435
Located near the Black Road Bridge, this spot offers a unique combination of smooth surfaces, inclines, and ledges, making it a popular area for street skaters. While it may not have traditional ramps or bowls, the urban design of the area offers several skateable features that are perfect for grinds, slides, and manual tricks. It’s a bit off the beaten path, so skaters can often practice without interference from crowds.
Why it's popular: The secluded nature of this spot makes it ideal for skaters who want to explore new lines and practice tricks without the distractions of a busy park. The variety of ledges and curbs allows for creative street-style skating, and the spot’s relative anonymity ensures that skaters can enjoy long sessions without interruption.
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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