Ten important skateboard spots in Shreveport, Louisiana
1. Stoner Avenue Skate Plaza
Overview:
The Stoner Avenue Skate Plaza is undoubtedly the most famous skateboarding location in Shreveport. Located in Stoner Hill, this public skate park was designed by skaters for skaters. It opened in 2012 after several years of advocacy from the local skating community. The park offers a comprehensive layout for skaters of all skill levels, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the local skateboarding scene.
Features:
- Multiple ramps, quarter pipes, and bowls for a variety of tricks.
- A street section with rails, ledges, and stair sets for technical tricks.
- Smooth concrete surface, ideal for both beginners and experts.
- A welcoming community, with frequent events and contests for local skaters.
Why It’s Popular:
The Skate Plaza’s versatility and location make it a central hub for Shreveport skaters. Its design incorporates feedback from the local skateboarding community, ensuring that it caters to all skill levels and skating styles.
2. Betty Virginia Park
Overview:
Though not a traditional skate park, Betty Virginia Park is a hidden gem for street skaters. Located in the Highland neighborhood, this urban park offers an array of obstacles that skaters love to incorporate into their tricks. Its spacious design and laid-back atmosphere make it an excellent spot for those who prefer street skating over structured parks.
Features:
- Smooth sidewalks, perfect for practicing flat ground tricks.
- Multiple benches, rails, and ledges that offer ample grinding opportunities.
- Natural landscape, providing varied terrain to skate.
Why It’s Popular:
Betty Virginia Park is ideal for skaters looking for a more laid-back, street skating experience. The park’s features cater to creativity, and the open space gives skaters the freedom to explore different types of tricks.
3. Duck Pond Park
Overview:
Duck Pond Park is a scenic spot that attracts families and nature lovers, but it's also a prime location for skateboarders. With its wide, flat sidewalks and pathways, skaters can enjoy a peaceful setting while practicing flat ground tricks or cruising through the park. It’s also close to the LSU Shreveport campus, making it a popular choice for college students.
Features:
- Flat pathways, perfect for longboarding and beginners learning basic tricks.
- Rails and ledges scattered throughout the park.
- Plenty of open space for practicing without crowds.
Why It’s Popular:
Duck Pond Park combines beautiful scenery with an ideal setting for cruising and practicing tricks. It’s a go-to spot for skaters who want to relax while improving their skills.
4. Southern Hills Skate Park
Overview:
The Southern Hills Skate Park, located near the Southern Hills Community Center, is another well-established skate spot in Shreveport. This concrete park was built to offer a more secluded alternative to Stoner Skate Plaza, with a focus on a smaller, neighborhood feel. It’s a great spot for locals who want to avoid the larger crowds at more popular parks.
Features:
- A selection of ramps and small bowls.
- Rails and stairs for street-style skating.
- A quieter, more intimate atmosphere for practicing tricks.
Why It’s Popular:
Southern Hills Skate Park is perfect for skaters who want a more relaxed, less crowded environment. The park is great for working on skills without the pressure of a larger audience.
5. Cargill Skate Park
Overview:
Located within Cargill Park, this skate park is another favorite for Shreveport skateboarders. Though it may not be as large as Stoner Skate Plaza, Cargill Skate Park offers a compact but well-designed space for skating enthusiasts. It’s also conveniently located near other recreational facilities, making it a multi-use destination.
Features:
- Basic ramps, quarter pipes, and rails for intermediate skaters.
- Located next to a BMX park, which attracts a crowd of action sports enthusiasts.
- A community feel, with many local skaters frequenting the spot.
Why It’s Popular:
Cargill Skate Park’s community feel and proximity to other recreational facilities make it a convenient and enjoyable place to skate. It’s especially favored by locals who frequent the park.
Overview:
Shreveport's Riverfront Park, located downtown along the Red River, is not a designated skate park, but its wide, smooth pathways make it an attractive option for skateboarders who enjoy cruising and practicing tricks in an urban setting. The park offers stunning views of the Red River and the Shreveport skyline, adding to its allure.
Features:
- Long, smooth pathways perfect for longboarding and cruising.
- Open spaces that allow skaters to practice tricks without interference.
- Scenic views of the river, making it a relaxing skate destination.
Why It’s Popular:
Riverfront Park is popular for its accessibility and scenic setting. It’s a great place to take a leisurely skate and enjoy the downtown atmosphere, combining skating with sightseeing.
7. East Kings Highway Park (The Duck Pond)
Overview:
East Kings Highway Park, commonly referred to as "The Duck Pond," offers a casual atmosphere for skaters. Its pathways, open spaces, and surrounding nature make it a great spot for both skaters and non-skaters. The park's proximity to residential areas also makes it a convenient skate destination.
Features:
- Wide sidewalks for flat ground tricks.
- Open areas that allow for more advanced skaters to experiment with freestyle skating.
- Plenty of shade, which is ideal for the warmer months.
Why It’s Popular:
East Kings Highway Park is a favorite due to its easy accessibility and laid-back ambiance. It’s ideal for beginners, casual skaters, and anyone looking for a peaceful spot to practice.
8. Cedar Grove Park
Overview:
Cedar Grove Park may not be on every skater’s radar, but it is a prime spot for street skaters looking to explore new terrain. The park offers a mix of urban and natural environments, with ledges, steps, and pathways that are perfect for creative skaters.
Features:
- Ledges, rails, and curbs that cater to street skaters.
- Open pathways for cruising and flat ground practice.
- A more off-the-beaten-path feel for those looking to avoid crowded areas.
Why It’s Popular:
Cedar Grove Park is ideal for skaters looking for a more secluded street skating environment. The park’s combination of natural and urban features makes it versatile for different types of skating styles.
9. Independence Stadium Grounds
Overview:
The grounds surrounding Independence Stadium offer a mix of open spaces and urban structures that skaters have been drawn to for years. While not a designated skate park, the area’s large paved lots and various stair sets, ledges, and rails make it a popular skateboarding spot.
Features:
- Large paved areas for cruising and practicing flat ground tricks.
- Multiple stair sets and handrails for advanced street skaters.
- A quiet, under-the-radar spot for skaters looking for new challenges.
Why It’s Popular:
The Independence Stadium Grounds provide a perfect environment for street skaters seeking creative obstacles. Its urban setting offers a variety of ledges, rails, and steps that challenge skaters of all levels.
10. Louisiana Boardwalk (Bossier City)
Overview:
Though technically located in Bossier City, just across the river from Shreveport, the Louisiana Boardwalk is a prime skate spot worth mentioning. The Boardwalk's smooth pavement, long pathways, and scenic riverfront views attract skateboarders looking to cruise in style. Skaters must remain mindful of the crowds, as it’s a bustling retail and entertainment area, but when it's quiet, it’s a favorite for longboarders and cruisers.
Features:
- Long, smooth pathways for cruising and longboarding.
- Riverfront views that add a scenic element to the skating experience.
- A mix of open areas and retail spaces to explore.
Why It’s Popular:
The Louisiana Boardwalk is a great spot for skaters who enjoy longboarding or cruising in a lively, urban setting. Its location near shops and restaurants also makes it a convenient place to spend a day.
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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