Ten important skateboard spots in Norfolk, VA
1. Northside Skatepark
Northside Skatepark is the largest and most popular skateboarding facility in Norfolk. This 16,000-square-foot outdoor concrete park is a favorite among both beginners and advanced skaters. The park features a variety of bowls, half-pipes, ledges, rails, and stair sets. There is also a street course that mimics real-world urban environments, with ledges, manual pads, and rails that allow skaters to work on technical street tricks.
The park’s smooth concrete surface and variety of obstacles make it ideal for all skill levels. Northside Skatepark is well-lit, so skaters can enjoy it well into the evening. With its open layout and a balance of both street and transition elements, Northside Skatepark attracts a diverse crowd of skaters and frequently hosts local competitions and events.
Key Features:
- Size: 16,000 square feet
- Multiple bowls, ledges, rails, and stair sets
- Street course for technical tricks
- Well-lit for night sessions
2. Williams Farm Skatepark (Virginia Beach)
Though technically located in nearby Virginia Beach, the Williams Farm Skatepark is a short drive from Norfolk and worth the trip for any skater in the area. The park spans 25,000 square feet and offers one of the most professionally designed skateboarding facilities in the region. It features a large snake run, a deep bowl with smooth transitions, quarter pipes, and a vast street section filled with ledges, rails, and stair sets.
Williams Farm Skatepark also stands out for its state-of-the-art design, with smooth concrete and an efficient flow that allows skaters to link tricks seamlessly from one obstacle to another. It’s also one of the few parks with a skate-friendly pool, providing skaters with a unique challenge.
Key Features:
- Size: 25,000 square feet
- Snake run, deep bowl, and pool
- Street section with ledges, rails, and stairs
- High-quality concrete and flow
3. Lafayette Park
Lafayette Park is a well-known multi-use park in Norfolk that has become a hotspot for local skaters. While not an official skatepark, the smooth pathways, wide-open spaces, and low-lying ledges have been adopted by the skateboarding community as a prime location for practicing flat-ground tricks and basic technical maneuvers.
Skaters often use the park’s benches, low walls, and stairs as improvised obstacles for grinds, slides, and manual tricks. Lafayette Park’s informal setting makes it a favorite for beginners or those looking to practice in a relaxed, uncrowded environment. The park’s scenic backdrop, featuring trees and walking paths, adds to the laid-back vibe.
Key Features:
- Informal skate spot with smooth paths
- Benches and ledges for technical tricks
- Scenic, relaxed environment
- Ideal for beginners and casual skaters
4. Ghent Neighborhood
The historic Ghent neighborhood in Norfolk is a popular spot for street skaters who prefer urban settings to skateparks. Known for its charming architecture and brick-paved streets, Ghent offers a number of ledges, stair sets, and handrails scattered throughout the neighborhood that skaters have repurposed for street skating.
The wide sidewalks and smooth concrete sections near local businesses and restaurants provide ideal spots for practicing street tricks, though skaters should be mindful of pedestrians. Ghent’s blend of urban and historic elements makes it a unique spot to skate, especially for those looking to capture some creative footage for skate videos.
Key Features:
- Urban, street-skating environment
- Ledges, stair sets, and handrails
- Historic neighborhood with a blend of old and new architecture
- Great for filming skate videos
5. Ocean View Beach Park
Ocean View Beach Park is a scenic location along the Chesapeake Bay, but it's also become a popular skateboarding destination due to its smooth concrete walkways and beachfront setting. While the park is primarily known for its recreational amenities, skaters flock to the wide-open spaces and smooth surfaces perfect for cruising and practicing flat-ground tricks.
The park’s benches and railings have been adopted by street skaters for grinds and slides, and the laid-back beach atmosphere makes it an appealing spot for a relaxed skate session. While it’s not an official skatepark, Ocean View Beach Park is a favorite for skaters who want to combine their love for skating with a day at the beach.
Key Features:
- Scenic beachfront location
- Smooth paths for cruising and flat-ground tricks
- Benches and railings for street-style tricks
- Relaxed beach atmosphere
6. Old Dominion University Campus
The campus of Old Dominion University (ODU) offers a variety of spots for street skaters looking for new challenges. With its modern architecture and sprawling layout, the campus features smooth concrete walkways, stair sets, and ledges that skaters have claimed as unofficial skate spots.
ODU’s campus is especially popular among local skaters for its stair sets and handrails, which provide great opportunities for advanced tricks. However, because it’s an active university, skaters should be cautious of security and respectful of students and faculty. Despite this, the university’s urban layout and varied terrain make it a prime location for street-style skating.
Key Features:
- Smooth walkways, ledges, and stairs
- Urban, street-skating environment
- Popular among advanced street skaters
- Campus setting requires discretion and respect for the university
7. Military Circle Mall
Military Circle Mall, though not a traditional skateboarding spot, has become a well-known street-skating location. The mall’s sprawling, semi-abandoned parking lots and nearby stair sets provide skaters with ample space to practice without the interference of heavy pedestrian traffic. The wide-open spaces allow skaters to film tricks or set up small DIY obstacles like ramps and boxes.
While technically skating here is not officially sanctioned, the lack of crowds and abundance of urban features make it a hidden gem for street skaters looking for a quieter, less-policed area to practice. The raw, gritty atmosphere adds to the appeal for skaters who prefer a more authentic street-skating experience.
Key Features:
- Semi-abandoned parking lots with stair sets and open spaces
- Great for DIY obstacles and street skating
- Low foot traffic makes it ideal for filming
- Not an official skate spot, so caution is advised
8. Virginia Wesleyan University
Another college campus that has caught the attention of street skaters, Virginia Wesleyan University, located near Norfolk, offers a variety of ledges, rails, and stairs perfect for practicing street tricks. The campus has wide, open walkways and smooth concrete, which allows for easy cruising and technical tricks.
Because of the university's tranquil environment, it’s a great spot for skaters who want to practice without being rushed or dealing with crowds. The variety of obstacles and the clean, open space make it an ideal street-skating spot. However, as with any university campus, skaters should be mindful of security and respectful of the area.
Key Features:
- Ledges, rails, and stairs for street skating
- Wide, smooth walkways for cruising
- Quiet, low-traffic environment
- University setting requires discretion
9. Norfolk Scope Arena
The Norfolk Scope Arena, a large multi-purpose arena in downtown Norfolk, is surrounded by smooth concrete walkways, low-lying walls, and stair sets that have become a draw for local street skaters. While skating here is not officially encouraged, the large open spaces and variety of street features make it an attractive spot for skaters looking to film or practice.
The wide, open spaces around the arena provide a great location for beginners to practice basic tricks and for more advanced skaters to hit stair sets and ledges. The downtown location gives the area an urban, gritty vibe that appeals to street skaters, but as with other unofficial skate spots, skaters should be cautious of security and pedestrian traffic.
Key Features:
- Urban, street-skating environment
- Stair sets, ledges, and low-lying walls
- Large open spaces for skating and filming
- Caution advised due to security and pedestrians
10. Town Point Park
Town Point Park, located along the waterfront in downtown Norfolk, is primarily known as a gathering spot for festivals and community events, but it has also gained a reputation as a casual skating spot. The park’s smooth pathways, wide-open spaces, and scenic views of the Elizabeth River make it a popular location for cruising and practicing flat-ground tricks.
Although it’s not a traditional skatepark, the relaxed atmosphere and scenic setting make it a favorite for skaters looking for a mellow session. The park’s benches and low curbs are occasionally used by street skaters for grinds and slides. Town Point Park is also conveniently located near downtown shops and restaurants, making it a great spot to end a skate session.
Key Features:
- Scenic waterfront location
- Smooth paths for cruising and flat-ground tricks
- Low curbs and benches for street-style tricks
- Relaxed, family-friendly environment
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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