Ten important skateboard spots in Montgomery, Alabama
1. Riverfront Skatepark
Located near the scenic Alabama River, Riverfront Skatepark is one of the most popular places for skaters in Montgomery. This well-maintained park offers a variety of ramps, rails, and bowls for skaters of all skill levels. The park is spacious enough for skaters to move around freely without feeling crowded, making it an excellent spot for beginners and advanced skaters alike.
Features:
- Multiple ramps and rails
- Smooth concrete surface
- Bowls for more advanced tricks
- Scenic riverfront location
The atmosphere at Riverfront Skatepark is relaxed and welcoming, often filled with skaters encouraging each other to try new tricks. It's also a great place to watch experienced skaters and pick up new techniques. The location by the river adds a unique ambiance, providing a refreshing break from the urban setting.
2. Blount Cultural Park
While Blount Cultural Park is primarily known for its beautiful landscapes and cultural institutions like the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, it has also become a popular spot for street skaters. The park's open spaces, smooth sidewalks, and gentle inclines make it an ideal location for casual cruising or practicing flatground tricks.
Features:
- Smooth, well-paved paths
- Open spaces for flatground tricks
- Scenic surroundings
The park offers a peaceful environment for skaters who prefer a more laid-back session. It’s not uncommon to see skaters cruising through the park, taking in the natural beauty while honing their skills. The lack of large crowds also makes it a prime spot for practicing in peace.
3. Montgomery Plaza
Montgomery Plaza is an urban street skating hotspot that offers a variety of ledges, rails, and gaps for skaters to explore. This area is particularly popular with more advanced skaters who enjoy testing their skills in a street environment.
Features:
- Numerous ledges and rails
- Large open spaces
- Great for street-style skating
The concrete landscape of Montgomery Plaza provides endless opportunities for skaters to practice their technical tricks. From grinds on the ledges to ollies over the gaps, the plaza offers an urban playground for those looking to step up their street-skating game.
4. Eastdale Mall
While it may seem unconventional, the area surrounding Eastdale Mall has become a popular spot for skaters. The mall’s large parking lots and smooth curbs provide plenty of space for skaters to practice, especially during off-peak hours when the area is less crowded.
Features:
- Smooth pavement
- Ample space for cruising
- Ledges and curbs for tricks
Skaters often gather here to practice flip tricks, grinds, and other technical maneuvers on the curbs and ledges. The open space makes it easy for skaters to find their own area to practice without interruptions, and the smooth pavement allows for fluid movement.
5. Cramton Bowl Parking Deck
The Cramton Bowl Parking Deck is a well-known local spot for skaters who enjoy transitioning between different levels of elevation. The multi-story parking deck offers a variety of sloped surfaces, rails, and ledges that provide a dynamic environment for skating.
Features:
- Multiple levels of elevation
- Rails and ledges for tricks
- Smooth concrete surface
One of the highlights of skating at Cramton Bowl is the ability to cruise down the parking deck ramps, building up speed before hitting a ledge or rail. The mix of slopes and flat surfaces makes it an exciting location for skaters who enjoy variety in their terrain.
6. City Hall Plaza
City Hall Plaza offers a mix of marble ledges, stairs, and rails, making it a prime location for skaters interested in street-style tricks. The plaza’s clean lines and smooth surfaces make it a favorite among technical skaters who enjoy perfecting their grinds and flips.
Features:
- Marble ledges for grinds
- Stairs and rails for advanced tricks
- Urban atmosphere
Skating at City Hall Plaza gives skaters the feel of skating in a big city environment, with plenty of obstacles to navigate. The smooth marble ledges are ideal for long grinds, while the stairs and rails provide opportunities for more challenging tricks.
7. Auburn Montgomery Campus
The Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) campus is another hotspot for skaters, especially those who prefer street skating. The campus offers a variety of ledges, stair sets, and smooth sidewalks perfect for skating.
Features:
- Well-maintained sidewalks
- Ledges and stair sets for tricks
- Open spaces for cruising
AUM’s campus is a peaceful environment for skaters, and it's common to see groups of students and locals practicing tricks after classes or during weekends. The variety of obstacles, combined with the spacious layout, makes it an appealing spot for skaters of all levels.
8. Wright Brothers Park
Located in the heart of Montgomery, Wright Brothers Park is a lesser-known but excellent location for skaters looking for a relaxed, low-key environment. The park’s paved paths and small hills make it an ideal spot for cruising and casual practice.
Features:
- Paved paths for cruising
- Gentle hills for downhill practice
- Relaxed atmosphere
Wright Brothers Park is a hidden gem for skaters who prefer a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The smooth paths are perfect for beginners looking to practice their balance or more experienced skaters wanting a laid-back session.
9. Paterson Field
Paterson Field, located near downtown Montgomery, is known for its open spaces and smooth pavement, making it a prime spot for skaters looking to practice their flatground tricks. The large parking lots and walkways around the field provide plenty of room for skaters to spread out and work on their skills.
Features:
- Large open spaces
- Smooth pavement for flatground tricks
- Quiet, laid-back environment
Skating at Paterson Field is ideal for those who prefer wide-open spaces without the distractions of a typical skatepark. The smooth surfaces make it easy to practice ollies, kickflips, and other flatground tricks in an unhurried setting.
10. Old Alabama Town
Old Alabama Town is a historic district in Montgomery that has become a popular destination for skaters who enjoy unique urban landscapes. The cobblestone streets and wooden walkways provide an unconventional skating experience, making it a favorite for skaters looking for something different.
Features:
- Historic urban setting
- Cobblestone streets and wooden walkways
- Unique atmosphere for creative skating
While the terrain at Old Alabama Town may be a bit more challenging, it offers skaters the opportunity to try tricks in a completely different environment. The mix of old architecture and modern skating styles creates a distinctive atmosphere that attracts adventurous skaters.
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