Ten important skateboard spots in Morgantown, West Virginia
1. Morgantown Skatepark
Located near Hazel Ruby McQuain Park, Morgantown Skatepark is the most popular skateboarding spot in the city. This concrete skatepark offers a wide variety of obstacles, including ramps, ledges, rails, and a bowl, making it suitable for skaters of all levels. The park is well-maintained and serves as the main hub for local skateboarding events and community gatherings. Whether you’re practicing grinds, flips, or transitioning, Morgantown Skatepark provides a dynamic environment for every type of skateboarding.
Pros: The park is free to use, easily accessible, and provides a comprehensive layout that suits both street and transition skaters. It’s also centrally located, making it convenient for locals and visitors. The park hosts regular skating events, which add a sense of community.
Cons: Due to its popularity, the park can become crowded, especially during weekends and events. On busy days, it might be difficult to find space for solo sessions. Additionally, there are limited shaded areas, which can be uncomfortable during summer months.
2. Deckers Creek Trail
The Deckers Creek Trail is a scenic path that runs through Morgantown, offering smooth, paved roads that are perfect for cruising. While not a dedicated skateboarding spot, the trail provides an excellent space for longboarding or casual skating. The route stretches over several miles, with plenty of open space and beautiful views of the surrounding nature, making it an ideal location for a relaxing skateboarding session. The path is wide and smooth, providing a safe environment for skaters of all skill levels to enjoy the outdoors.
Pros: The trail is well-maintained, and its length offers skaters the chance to cover long distances while enjoying the scenery. The quiet atmosphere makes it great for leisurely skating without the hassle of urban obstacles.
Cons: It’s not suitable for skaters looking to do tricks or street skating. The trail can become crowded with pedestrians and cyclists, which may limit your ability to skate freely at times. The surface can also be slippery in wet conditions.
3. Suncrest Town Centre Plaza
The Suncrest Town Centre Plaza is an urban shopping center with a clean, open design that includes smooth concrete surfaces and ledges, making it a prime spot for street skaters. Skaters can enjoy grinding on ledges, practicing flat-ground tricks, and finding unique spots throughout the plaza. The open layout gives skaters the freedom to explore different areas of the plaza and create their own lines. The location is ideal for a quick skate session, especially for those who live near or work in the Suncrest area.
Pros: The plaza provides a variety of street skating opportunities, with ledges, rails, and smooth surfaces for skating. It’s conveniently located near shops and cafes, making it easy to grab a snack or drink between sessions.
Cons: Security can be an issue, as the plaza is a commercial space, and skateboarding is typically discouraged. The area can also be crowded, particularly during busy shopping hours, making it difficult to skate without interruptions.
4. West Virginia University (Downtown Campus)
West Virginia University’s downtown campus is an urban skateboarding haven, filled with ledges, handrails, and stairs scattered throughout the campus. Skaters can find a wide variety of obstacles, from the classic city-style ledges to more challenging handrails and stair sets. This spot is known for its gritty, urban environment that offers skaters an opportunity to push their limits. It’s a popular destination for local skaters who thrive on street-style skating, though it comes with its own set of challenges.
Pros: The campus offers a wealth of street spots, with different types of obstacles for all skill levels. It’s popular among local skaters, which adds to the vibrant atmosphere. The variety of spots allows skaters to stay creative and try new tricks.
Cons: Skateboarding is technically prohibited on campus, so skaters risk being asked to leave or face fines. It’s also a busy area with heavy foot traffic, which can make it difficult to find an uninterrupted spot to skate, especially during class hours.
5. Hazel Ruby McQuain Park
Hazel Ruby McQuain Park is a beautiful riverside park located in the heart of Morgantown. The park offers wide, smooth pavements, making it an excellent spot for casual cruising or practicing beginner-level tricks. While it lacks the variety of obstacles that some other locations offer, the park is great for skaters who enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. Its riverside location provides a scenic environment for skating, making it a popular hangout spot for skaters looking to unwind.
Pros: The park offers an open space with plenty of smooth pavement, making it ideal for beginners or those wanting to practice basic tricks. It’s located in a picturesque setting near the river, providing a calming atmosphere.
Cons: There is a lack of obstacles or features designed for advanced skating. The park can also become crowded with pedestrians and families, especially during warmer months, which may interfere with skating.
6. Walnut Street Bridge
The Walnut Street Bridge, an iconic pedestrian bridge spanning the Monongahela River, is an excellent spot for flat-ground skating and casual cruising. The smooth surface of the bridge allows skaters to practice tricks or simply enjoy the view while skating. The location provides unique photo opportunities, thanks to its picturesque setting with views of the river and cityscape. It’s a low-pressure spot that appeals to skaters who prefer quiet, scenic places.
Pros: The bridge offers a smooth, uninterrupted surface for practicing flat-ground tricks. It’s open 24/7, making it an accessible spot for late-night skating. The views and atmosphere provide an enjoyable skating experience.
Cons: The bridge can be slippery when wet, and it’s not designed for street-style tricks. Additionally, there’s limited lighting at night, which may make it difficult to skate after dark.
7. Mountaineer Mall Parking Lot
The Mountaineer Mall parking lot is a vast, open asphalt space that provides a perfect environment for beginners to practice basic skateboarding skills. The flat surface is ideal for learning new tricks, while the curbs and gaps offer challenges for more experienced skaters. While it’s not a skatepark, it’s a quiet, low-pressure spot that doesn’t see much traffic, making it an excellent location for casual sessions.
Pros: The lot offers a large, open space with few distractions. It’s free to use, and there’s plenty of room to practice without interruption. The lot is great for learning tricks or skating at your own pace.
Cons: The surface isn’t as smooth as other dedicated skateparks, with some areas showing wear and tear. The lot lacks advanced obstacles or transitions for more experienced skaters looking for a challenge.
8. Marilla Park
Marilla Park is a peaceful community park that offers smooth pathways and ample open space for skating. The park has some mild inclines and natural drops, which makes it suitable for casual downhill skating. Though the park doesn’t have ramps or rails, it’s a great place for those looking to practice tricks on flat ground or enjoy a simple skate through the park’s serene environment.
Pros: The park’s peaceful environment makes it ideal for beginners and skaters looking for a low-pressure experience. The smooth pathways are great for cruising, and there’s plenty of space to move around.
Cons: The park lacks specific obstacles for advanced street or transition skaters. It’s better suited for casual skating and practice rather than technical tricks or complex maneuvers.
9. DIY Spot – The Quarry
The Quarry is an underground, DIY skateboarding spot created and maintained by local skaters. This makeshift skatepark is filled with hand-built ramps, rails, and ledges that cater to street and transition skaters alike. The community-run spot offers a raw, authentic skateboarding experience that you won’t find at traditional skateparks. It’s perfect for skaters who enjoy a bit of a challenge and want to contribute to maintaining a DIY scene.
Pros: The Quarry provides a unique and evolving skateboarding environment, perfect for those looking for a creative and grassroots skate scene. The DIY nature of the spot allows for personal expression and a sense of community among local skaters.
Cons: Because it’s a DIY spot, the ramps and obstacles may not be as polished or well-maintained as those in professional skateparks. The location can also be a bit hard to find for newcomers, and skaters should respect the space and the work put into it by the community.
10. White Park
White Park is a quiet, suburban park that offers a mix of smooth pathways and natural terrain, including small hills and downhill areas that are ideal for longboarding or cruising. The park’s winding paths and open spaces are perfect for skaters who enjoy scenic, leisurely rides. While there aren’t many obstacles for trick-oriented skaters, White Park is a fantastic place to enjoy a casual, laid-back skate session.
Pros: The park is peaceful and away from the city’s hustle and bustle, providing a relaxing environment for skating. It’s a great spot for longboarding or practicing downhill skills, and it’s free to use.
Cons: White Park doesn’t have features for street skating or transition-oriented maneuvers. It’s more suited to cruisers and beginners than those looking for a technical challenge.
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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