Ten important skateboard spots in Newark, Delaware
1. White Clay Creek State Park (Skatepark)
White Clay Creek State Park is one of Newark’s most popular outdoor destinations, and it offers a small, but well-maintained, skatepark. The skatepark is not as expansive as some larger urban parks, but it makes up for its size with solid features. The park includes a few ledges, a pyramid, a funbox, and some small rails that are perfect for street-style tricks. What sets this location apart is its peaceful and scenic surroundings—skaters can enjoy the park’s natural beauty, with trees and trails nearby, while still getting in some practice on smooth concrete. The park tends to get crowded during weekends, but during the week, it’s a fantastic spot to work on both technical and transitional skating.
2. The University of Delaware (UD) Campus
The University of Delaware (UD) campus is a skateboarding haven in Newark, providing various spots that are perfect for street skaters. The campus features a number of stairs, ledges, and rails scattered around its buildings, making it a go-to location for skaters looking to do some serious trick grinding. The iconic “Buchanan Hall” stairs and ledge area, for instance, are particularly popular among advanced skaters due to the size and challenge it presents. The smooth pavement throughout the campus allows for a comfortable skateboarding experience, and there are plenty of benches and public areas to rest. Skaters are advised to be mindful of campus regulations, as some areas can get busy with pedestrians or security presence.
3. Ivy Hall Skate Spot
Located near the University of Delaware, Ivy Hall is a hidden gem for skaters seeking a more low-key and less crowded experience. This urban spot is characterized by several long ledges and curbs, perfect for grinding and technical tricks. Ivy Hall also offers a few mellow stair sets that are ideal for practicing your ollies or kickflips. The parking lots around the area provide ample space for cruising and even some mini-ramp setups if you're feeling creative. Ivy Hall has a great balance of spots that cater to skaters of all levels, from beginners to those looking for more challenging spots. The fact that it’s off the beaten path means it’s a bit quieter and less likely to attract attention, which is perfect for getting in a long session.
4. Newark Skatepark
Newark’s main public skatepark is a cornerstone of the local scene, offering a wide variety of ramps, bowls, and street features. This well-rounded park is suitable for skaters of all disciplines, whether you prefer street skating, vert, or bowls. The skatepark includes a concrete bowl, perfect for transition skaters looking to work on their carves, as well as ledges, rails, and funboxes that street skaters can enjoy. The park’s smooth surface and well-designed layout make it easy to flow from feature to feature. Since it’s a public park, there is no fee to skate, and it’s an ideal place for people to meet fellow skaters. On weekends, the park can get crowded, but there’s plenty of room for everyone to find their own space.
5. Kirkwood Highway Ledges
For skaters who are looking for a more urban environment, the ledges along Kirkwood Highway provide the perfect challenge. These ledges, located on both sides of the highway, are ideal for grinding and practicing tech tricks. The area is a busy commercial stretch, so skaters need to be mindful of traffic and pedestrians, but the ledges themselves are smooth and low enough for intermediate skaters to navigate. The location offers a somewhat street-style vibe, which makes it an appealing choice for those looking for a classic, gritty spot to test their limits. Be sure to check the area for any no-skateboarding signs or business hours to avoid getting kicked out.
6. M.O.T. Skatepark (Middle of the Town Skatepark)
This indoor skatepark is located just outside of Newark in the nearby Middletown area. M.O.T. Skatepark is one of the region's most well-known indoor spots, drawing skaters from both Newark and surrounding areas. The park includes a large half-pipe, mini-ramp, and street-style elements like rails, ledges, and a flatbank. What makes this park particularly special is the community vibe—skaters often come here to socialize and push each other’s limits. The indoor setup is great for year-round skating, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate outside. Since it’s indoors, you’ll need to pay a small entry fee, but the park's consistently good condition and the opportunity to skate uninterrupted by weather make it worth it.
7. Loch Raven Park (Street Plaza)
Loch Raven Park, located a short drive from Newark, is home to an excellent street plaza setup. This area offers various street features, including ledges, rails, and gaps that challenge even the most experienced skaters. The plaza has wide-open spaces with smooth concrete, which makes it perfect for practicing your lines, and its design closely mimics urban city skate spots. Loch Raven Park is usually less crowded than the main skateparks, which makes it a great place for skaters who want to practice their tricks without interference. It also provides a great opportunity to work on both technical tricks and bigger, more challenging skateboarding maneuvers.
8. Newark High School Courtyard
Newark High School’s courtyard offers an under-the-radar location for local skaters looking for a street spot. The area is a combination of flat ground and ledges, with a set of stairs to work with. The benches and railings around the school are prime for grind tricks, and the relatively quiet atmosphere of the school’s courtyard makes it a good place to skate without much interference. The concrete is generally smooth, making it easy to get in some good runs, and there’s enough variety in the features for skaters to challenge themselves. Like other school locations, skaters should be mindful of school hours and avoid skating when students are around.
9. Delaware Park Casino Lot
While not traditionally known for skateboarding, the Delaware Park Casino parking lot is an expansive and relatively flat area that offers a good variety of spots for skaters. There are some curbs, ledges, and small railings along the perimeter, and since the area is not overly crowded, it offers a great opportunity for some solo skating or small group sessions. The large parking lot is perfect for cruising or practicing tricks like manual pads or kickturns. Since this is a more public area, it’s advisable to skate during the hours when the casino is less busy to avoid attracting attention.
10. Iron Hill Park
Iron Hill Park is another Newark spot that offers a mix of natural beauty and man-made features. The park has long paths and smooth asphalt, which is ideal for cruising, while the rolling hills provide an added challenge for downhill or carving skaters. The park also offers some flat-ground areas for practicing tricks, as well as a few subtle ledges and rails that can be spotted along the paths. While the park doesn’t feature any large skateparks or bowls, it’s still a great spot for skaters who like to explore and find hidden nooks and crannies for fun tricks.
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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