Ten important skateboard spots in Pasadena, Texas
1. Strawberry Park Skatepark
Strawberry Park Skatepark is arguably the most well-known skate spot in Pasadena. Located within the larger Strawberry Park, this skatepark has become a go-to for local skateboarders since its opening. The park features a variety of elements, including a flow bowl, ledges, rails, and quarter pipes, catering to both beginners and experienced skaters. The layout of the park allows skaters to easily transition from one obstacle to another, making it a favorite for those looking to chain together lines and tricks. The smooth concrete and well-maintained features of Strawberry Park are what make it a standout.
Skateparks like Strawberry Park are essential for fostering local skateboarding communities. They offer a safe and dedicated environment where skateboarders can hone their skills. For many skateboarders in Pasadena, Strawberry Park serves as a central hub, not only for skateboarding but also for social gatherings, competitions, and community-building events. Its accessibility and well-rounded design make it the number one spot in Pasadena.
2. Burke Crenshaw Park
Another popular spot among skateboarders in Pasadena is Burke Crenshaw Park. While not an official skatepark, the smooth paths and open spaces around the park provide an excellent place for flat-ground tricks and cruising. Skaters who enjoy longboarding or simply practicing their balance can benefit from the long, uninterrupted stretches of concrete. Additionally, the park’s landscaping creates a relaxed and scenic environment, which makes it a great spot for casual sessions.
While it lacks ramps or rails, the park is frequented by local skaters due to its friendly atmosphere. It is especially popular among younger skaters and those who are just starting out, as it offers a mellow environment with minimal pressure from more experienced riders.
3. Memorial Park Skate Spot
Located near Pasadena's Memorial Park, this small but versatile skate spot has become a hidden gem for locals. While it’s not as expansive as Strawberry Park, it offers an intimate and low-key environment for skaters who prefer a quieter place to practice. The park features a few essential obstacles, such as a mini ramp and a couple of grindable ledges, making it a good spot for intermediate skaters.
Memorial Park Skate Spot has the advantage of being located within a larger park, so skaters can enjoy the other amenities like picnic areas and shaded spots, which is perfect for taking breaks during a long skate session. Its central location also makes it easily accessible to residents throughout Pasadena.
4. Pasadena High School (Street Spot)
For skateboarders who prefer the raw feel of street skating, Pasadena High School is a legendary spot. Schools have long been popular locations for skateboarders due to their architecture, which often includes ledges, stairs, handrails, and other elements ideal for street skating. Pasadena High School is no exception. Its grounds feature several spots that are perfect for street skating, including stair sets with rails, banks, and smooth ledges.
Like many street spots, skaters should be aware of the risks associated with skating on school property, as it can lead to security concerns or being asked to leave by school staff. However, when it comes to street skating in Pasadena, few places offer the versatility and challenge of this spot.
5. Pasadena Town Square Mall (Parking Garage)
Parking garages are a staple of urban skateboarding, offering smooth surfaces and a variety of banks and ledges. The parking garage at Pasadena Town Square Mall has long been a favorite for local skaters, particularly those who enjoy skating in the cooler evening hours. The garage offers multiple levels, providing a mix of flat ground and sloped surfaces for skaters who like to get creative with their tricks.
The main appeal of the Town Square Mall garage is its shelter from the elements, making it a popular choice during rainy or hot weather. While skaters must remain cautious about cars and security, the garage has remained a staple spot for skateboarding over the years, especially for those looking to film lines and tricks in an urban setting.
6. City Hall Ledges
City Hall in Pasadena offers a more technical street spot with smooth granite ledges that skaters love for grinds and slides. The clean architecture of the area provides sharp edges and ideal surfaces for skaters to practice their more technical flip-in, flip-out tricks. The smooth ground and wide open space make it a perfect place for technical lines and manual tricks.
Though this spot is public property, skateboarders should be aware of the potential for security issues, especially during working hours. Nonetheless, the City Hall ledges remain one of the most desirable street skating spots for skilled skaters who enjoy precision and clean lines.
7. Deepwater Elementary School (Bank Spot)
Deepwater Elementary School features another street-style skate spot with its banked walls and slopes. Though elementary schools aren’t always known for having complex skating architecture, this spot stands out due to its large, gradual banks, which allow for flowing transitions and a more surf-like style of skateboarding. These banks provide a great place for skaters to practice their transition skills, as well as more technical tricks like wall rides.
Local skaters have long appreciated this spot for its versatility. Deepwater's banked walls offer a different challenge from traditional ramps and bowls, making it a must-visit for skaters who want to improve their ability to ride banks and transitions.
8. Pasadena Rodeo Grounds (DIY Spot)
Pasadena Rodeo Grounds is not an official skateboarding spot, but it has become a DIY spot for local skaters over the years. DIY skate spots are built by skaters for skaters, often using found materials like concrete, wood, and metal. These spots tend to have a raw, gritty feel, which adds to their underground appeal. Skaters at the Pasadena Rodeo Grounds have created several makeshift ramps and obstacles that give this place a unique charm.
The DIY nature of this spot means that it is constantly evolving, with skaters adding new elements over time. While it may not be as polished as a skatepark, the creativity and community effort behind the Rodeo Grounds DIY spot make it one of the most interesting skateboarding locations in Pasadena.
9. Spencer Highway Plaza (Abandoned Lot)
The abandoned lot at Spencer Highway Plaza has gained a reputation as one of the more rugged spots to skate in Pasadena. While it lacks the refined design of an official skatepark, the cracked pavement and decaying structures offer a gritty aesthetic that many street skaters appreciate. The lot features several makeshift obstacles, including ledges, manual pads, and even a few rails that skaters have set up over time.
This spot is especially popular among skateboarders who like to film their sessions, as the urban decay provides a unique backdrop. Skaters who visit this spot should be prepared for rough surfaces, but for those who thrive on street skating, it’s a perfect place to test their skills.
10. Clear Lake City Skatepark (Nearby)
While not technically within Pasadena city limits, Clear Lake City Skatepark is a short drive away and well worth mentioning. It offers a well-maintained skatepark with a wide variety of features, including bowls, banks, rails, and stairs. This skatepark caters to all skill levels, making it a great spot for beginners to learn the basics or for advanced skaters to refine their tricks.
The park’s proximity to Pasadena makes it a popular destination for local skateboarders looking for a more expansive skateboarding experience. The park’s smooth surfaces and well-planned layout allow for seamless transitions between obstacles, making it easy to develop flow and build up momentum.
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