Ten important skateboard spots in Kansas City, KS
1. Wyandotte County Lake Skatepark
Wyandotte County Lake Skatepark is one of the most well-known and established skate spots in Kansas City, Kansas. Located in the scenic Wyandotte County Lake Park, this skatepark is not only a go-to place for skaters but also offers a beautiful natural environment for other recreational activities.
The skatepark features a mix of bowls, ramps, rails, and flat surfaces, making it accessible to skaters of all levels. The transitions in the bowls cater to both beginners and more experienced skateboarders, offering endless opportunities to perform tricks and hone skills. The park's clean and well-maintained infrastructure, along with its open design, makes it a top spot for locals.
What makes this spot unique is its setting within Wyandotte County Lake Park. After an intense skate session, skaters can enjoy the park’s scenic lake views, picnic areas, and hiking trails.
2. Rosedale Skate Spot
Located in the heart of Rosedale, this skate spot is a smaller, yet equally essential, part of Kansas City's skateboarding scene. The Rosedale Skate Spot is especially popular with younger skaters and beginners looking to learn the fundamentals.
The spot features several banks, manual pads, and ledges that are perfect for practicing basic tricks. Its simplicity is part of its charm, as the open layout provides a comfortable environment for those looking to experiment with new techniques or refine their current abilities. Additionally, Rosedale Skate Spot often attracts the local skateboarding community, creating a social hub for skaters.
Though small, Rosedale is an essential space for the skateboarding community, offering a low-pressure atmosphere for those just getting started.
3. Clopper Field
Clopper Field is not a traditional skatepark but a public recreational area that has gained popularity among skateboarders due to its smooth, open concrete space. Located near Turner High School, Clopper Field provides skaters with a vast area of flat ground, perfect for practicing flip tricks, ollies, and technical skating.
Skateboarders have unofficially taken over this space, and the lack of obstacles or official skate infrastructure means that it's often empty, giving skaters plenty of room to maneuver. The smooth concrete surface is ideal for flat-ground tricks, which has attracted skaters looking for a relaxed spot to work on their game.
For skaters who enjoy less structured environments and prefer free-form skating, Clopper Field offers an unpretentious and spacious venue.
4. Welborn Lake Park
Welborn Lake Park, although better known for its nature trails and tranquil atmosphere, has become a favorite spot for skaters seeking urban street-style skating within a more laid-back environment. The park features a variety of benches, ledges, and stair sets that skaters can incorporate into their street skating sessions.
Welborn Lake Park allows skaters to blend elements of park skating with the creative freedom of street skating. The park's natural beauty contrasts with its concrete benches and pathways, giving it an almost surreal atmosphere for skating. The ability to skate in a quieter, more peaceful setting sets this park apart from some of the more crowded or designated skateparks in the city.
The versatility of the park’s layout makes it a great destination for skaters looking for a relaxed but engaging environment.
5. Indian Springs Skatepark
Located at the site of the old Indian Springs Mall, the Indian Springs Skatepark is a hidden gem for Kansas City skateboarders. Though the mall is no longer standing, the skatepark offers a modern space for skaters of all levels. This skatepark is built with a wide variety of features, including quarter pipes, rails, hubba ledges, and banks, providing an ideal space for both street and transition skating.
Indian Springs has developed into a hub for the local skate scene, frequently hosting events, competitions, and meetups. The park’s well-planned layout and features cater to a wide range of skaters, from beginners to pros. The locals often refer to it as a ‘must-go’ for anyone looking to skate in the Kansas City, Kansas area.
Its modern design and growing community involvement make Indian Springs a key spot for skaters looking for variety and camaraderie.
6. Pierson Park
Pierson Park, located on the western edge of Kansas City, Kansas, provides a scenic and sprawling environment for skaters. While the park is primarily known for its athletic fields and playgrounds, skateboarders have been drawn to its expansive walkways, gentle slopes, and scattered benches.
For street skaters, Pierson Park is the perfect environment to practice ledge tricks, manuals, and flat-ground skills. The park also features several downhill slopes that are ideal for cruising or speed runs. The park’s laid-back vibe and ample space make it an appealing destination for skaters seeking a more open, free-form environment.
The variety of available surfaces, along with the park's peaceful ambiance, has made Pierson Park a standout location for casual skating.
7. Waterway Skate Spot
This hidden gem is tucked away near the Waterway Park area, offering skaters a less crowded, DIY-style skate spot. Though unofficial and somewhat rugged, Waterway Skate Spot has become a cult favorite among local skateboarders looking for a raw and authentic street skating experience.
The spot features a mix of obstacles, including ledges, manual pads, and improvised ramps. Skaters who enjoy an "underground" vibe will find this location particularly appealing. Unlike more polished skateparks, Waterway’s charm lies in its rough edges and its embrace of street skating culture.
Though not a formal skatepark, Waterway embodies the DIY spirit of skateboarding and is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of local skaters.
8. Big Eleven Lake
Big Eleven Lake is a popular spot for both skaters and non-skaters alike. With its central location and scenic view of the lake, it has become a beloved spot for skateboarders looking to enjoy flat-ground tricks or more street-style skating. The lake’s smooth pathways and wide-open spaces provide a perfect environment for practicing technical tricks or cruising around at a relaxed pace.
The surrounding park areas also offer a variety of ledges, steps, and rails, which skaters have adopted for creative street skating lines. While not a traditional skatepark, Big Eleven Lake has become a well-known gathering spot for skaters who appreciate the combination of a relaxed park setting with plenty of features to ride.
9. Quindaro Park
Quindaro Park is one of Kansas City, Kansas' lesser-known skate spots but is an ideal location for skaters who prefer skating in more secluded areas. With several stair sets, handrails, and ledges scattered throughout the park, Quindaro offers skaters a range of obstacles to experiment with.
The park’s quiet environment makes it a perfect place for skaters looking to get away from more crowded areas, and its layout offers several opportunities for street-style skating. The park's urban feel, mixed with the local community's low-key vibe, makes Quindaro Park a hidden treasure for those who appreciate a more underground skateboarding scene.
10. Strawberry Hill Skate Spot
The historic Strawberry Hill neighborhood offers a surprising but excellent skate spot in the form of the Strawberry Hill Skate Spot. Though not officially designated for skating, skateboarders have flocked to this area for years due to its well-maintained sidewalks, stair sets, and ledges. The iconic brick and limestone architecture of the neighborhood adds an extra layer of aesthetic appeal to skating here.
The Strawberry Hill Skate Spot represents the blending of Kansas City’s rich history with modern street skating culture. The tight-knit community and unique urban layout have created an ideal playground for skaters, especially those who are passionate about incorporating their surroundings into their lines and tricks.
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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