Ten important skateboard spots in Lucknow, India
1. Gomti Riverfront Park
The Gomti Riverfront Park is one of the most scenic and versatile skateboarding spots in Lucknow. With its smooth, wide pavements and open spaces, skateboarders can perform tricks and cruise along the paths. The scenic views of the Gomti River make this spot particularly appealing. In the evenings, the park comes alive with locals enjoying the view, so it's best for skaters to visit during off-peak hours to enjoy the space fully.
2. Janeshwar Mishra Park
One of the largest parks in Asia, Janeshwar Mishra Park offers sprawling paths, small hills, and open areas ideal for both beginner and intermediate skateboarders. With plenty of paved surfaces, the park accommodates smooth cruising and practice sessions. Some of the paths feature slight slopes that provide a fun challenge, making it an excellent spot for skaters looking to practice speed control and balance.
3. Ambedkar Memorial Park
Known for its massive stone structures, the Ambedkar Memorial Park provides skateboarders with an unconventional but appealing skate spot. The area around the memorial features large open plazas, wide stone steps, and polished granite surfaces that work well for skateboarding. While it is essential to be respectful of the memorial's cultural significance, skaters often enjoy the smoothness of the stone and the spacious layout.
4. Ganj Plaza
Located in Hazratganj, Ganj Plaza is one of the city’s popular shopping and cultural hubs. The plaza has several smooth pavements, open plazas, and steps that skateboarders can use to practice various tricks. Skateboarders are likely to encounter some foot traffic, especially on weekends, so it’s wise to skate here during quieter hours. Ganj Plaza is also a great spot to meet other skaters, as it is a central location where people often gather.
5. Wave Mall Lucknow Parking Lot
Wave Mall’s parking lot is one of the few sheltered skateboarding spots in Lucknow, making it an attractive choice during the hot summer months or rainy season. The parking lot provides open, flat ground perfect for practicing flat-ground tricks and technical maneuvers. Skaters need to be cautious of vehicles, especially during mall hours, but the lot generally provides a spacious, accessible area to practice without much interference.
6. Buddha Park
A smaller park compared to others on this list, Buddha Park nonetheless offers a peaceful, smooth pavement area for skateboarders. Located near the Gomti Nagar region, Buddha Park is a popular choice among local skaters looking for a quieter place to practice their tricks. The park has fewer crowds and limited foot traffic, making it a suitable spot for beginners looking for a relaxed environment to practice skateboarding basics.
7. Lohia Park
Lohia Park in Gomti Nagar has a mix of paved pathways and small hills, making it a great spot for skateboarders who want to practice cruising and carving. The paths are smooth, and there are plenty of shaded areas, making it comfortable for longer sessions. While the park does get busy with joggers and walkers, certain areas, particularly the less crowded paths, offer a perfect playground for skateboarders.
8. Residency Ruins
The historical Residency Ruins in Lucknow provide a unique backdrop for skateboarding with plenty of open areas and paved paths. Although it’s a historical site with restricted access in certain places, some skateboarders enjoy cruising along the pathways outside the main ruins. The Residency Ruins offer an atmospheric environment, and for those respectful of the historical significance, it's a visually appealing spot to skateboard around.
9. Fun Republic Mall Area
The outdoor areas around Fun Republic Mall offer flat ground and are relatively free from traffic. Skateboarders use the area near the entrance and parking space as a practice ground for tricks. Since the mall area is usually bustling, skaters often come here in the early mornings or late evenings to avoid the crowds. The smooth surface and urban vibe make it a good place for practicing street skating techniques.
10. Kukrail Picnic Spot
Located on the outskirts of Lucknow, Kukrail Picnic Spot provides an expansive natural area with some paved paths and open spaces suitable for skateboarding. The smooth surfaces near the entrance are ideal for longboarding and cruising, while the lesser-traveled paths offer enough space for practicing tricks. Kukrail is popular with families and visitors on weekends, so it’s best for skaters to visit during weekdays to have more freedom.
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