Ten important skateboard spots in Stillwater, Oklahoma
1. Boone Pickens Stadium (OSU Campus)
Location: 1702 W Hall of Fame Ave, Stillwater, OK
Boone Pickens Stadium, located on the campus of Oklahoma State University, is a renowned location not only for college football but also for skateboarders. The stadium's surrounding area offers a number of skateable features, including smooth concrete plazas, ledges, and stair sets. These elements provide plenty of opportunities for street skating and are ideal for skaters looking to practice their tricks in a relatively quiet location.
The stadium area, especially around the front and the east side, has areas that provide both challenge and flow for skaters looking for variety. The smooth surfaces around the stadium make it great for a long session, while the open spaces allow skaters to avoid obstacles and traffic. The parking lots also offer spaces with ledges and rails for skaters to practice their grinds and slides.
2. Stillwater Skatepark
Location: 1100 E 8th Ave, Stillwater, OK
The Stillwater Skatepark, often referred to as "The Stillwater Plaza," is an essential part of the local skateboarding scene. Located in the heart of Stillwater, this small but well-maintained park provides a variety of elements for skaters to enjoy, including bowls, ramps, and flat ground spaces. It’s perfect for beginners and intermediate skaters but also offers more technical features for advanced skaters.
The park features a mix of street-style obstacles such as grind rails, funboxes, and ledges, as well as vert-style elements like half-pipes and quarter pipes. The combination of street and ramp obstacles allows skaters to vary their tricks throughout the session. The atmosphere here is relaxed, and it’s a great place for locals to meet up and skate together.
3. The Mill at St. Michael's
Location: 1000 S Perkins Rd, Stillwater, OK
While this might not be a typical skatepark, The Mill at St. Michael's offers a few spots that are quite skateable, especially for street skaters looking for ledges and rail opportunities. The property has a number of architectural features that lend themselves well to creative street skating, such as low walls, stairs, and rails. Skaters can often be found skating around the well-manicured grounds, making it a great location to hit when looking for a casual session in the city.
Due to the property’s semi-public nature, skaters should be respectful of the area’s tenants and businesses to ensure they don’t draw unwanted attention. However, if you're looking for a diverse set of street spots, this location has much to offer in terms of variety.
4. The OSU Student Union Courtyard
Location: 1201 N Hester St, Stillwater, OK
The Oklahoma State University Student Union Courtyard is a favorite spot among students and skateboarders alike. This open-air courtyard features smooth concrete and wide open spaces, making it perfect for skating. The surrounding areas offer wide ledges, low walls, and a variety of other elements that cater to both street and technical skaters.
Because it's located on campus, this area gets a lot of foot traffic, so skaters may need to be mindful of pedestrians. However, it’s still a great place to session if you’re looking for a low-key but technically demanding environment.
5. Post Oak Mall Parking Lot
Location: 1400 S Main St, Stillwater, OK
The parking lot at Post Oak Mall is a popular spot for skaters in Stillwater, thanks to its wide-open space and smooth concrete surfaces. It’s an excellent location for those looking to practice freestyle tricks, technical street skating, and flatground maneuvers. Additionally, the lot's perimeter features a number of low ledges, curbs, and rails that are perfect for grinding and sliding.
Since the lot is typically open, with few cars parked in the area, skaters can take full advantage of the space without worrying too much about obstacles. However, like many open parking lots, it can sometimes be busy, so it's important to watch for any changes in the parking lot layout or traffic flow.
6. Will Rogers Park
Location: 700 S Duncan St, Stillwater, OK
For skaters looking to enjoy a more scenic spot, Will Rogers Park offers an excellent combination of natural beauty and skate-friendly infrastructure. The park has a few ledges, benches, and smooth paths that make it a solid choice for street skaters. Additionally, the park's wide-open spaces provide room for beginners to learn basic tricks without worrying about running into too many obstacles.
As one of Stillwater's more peaceful parks, it's a great place to skate with friends, relax, and practice tricks in a natural environment. The calm atmosphere makes it a good location for skaters who prefer a more serene environment.
7. Eskimo Joe's Parking Lot
Location: 501 W Elm Ave, Stillwater, OK
Eskimo Joe’s is one of Stillwater’s most iconic locations, and its parking lot is often frequented by local skateboarders. The lot itself is large, with smooth concrete and a range of obstacles to skate, such as ledges, rails, and curbs. While it’s not an official skatepark, the proximity to the restaurant and the bustling atmosphere make it an exciting location for skaters looking to add a little flair to their session.
Skaters should be mindful of the busy restaurant and bar crowd, especially during peak hours, but it’s still a prime spot for local skaters to meet up and enjoy a session together.
8. Pioneer Square (Near OSU)
Location: 200 N Washington St, Stillwater, OK
Pioneer Square, located in the heart of Stillwater, is a great urban spot for skaters looking to experience a variety of technical street features. The square is home to several small ledges, steps, and rails, which offer endless opportunities for creative street skating. The urban environment allows for a diverse set of tricks, from grinds and slides to flip tricks.
Due to its location in the city center, Pioneer Square can get crowded, so skaters should be prepared to navigate around pedestrians. However, it’s a great spot to explore if you're looking for more of an urban street skating experience.
9. Tumbleweed Dancehall Parking Lot
Location: 5211 S Perkins Rd, Stillwater, OK
While primarily known for its nightlife and country dancing, the Tumbleweed Dancehall has a large parking lot that is sometimes used by local skateboarders. The wide expanse of smooth pavement makes it perfect for practicing all sorts of skateboarding tricks, and there are a few natural features around the lot, such as curbs and small ledges, that add variety to the skating experience.
This location is best visited in the morning or early afternoon, as it can get crowded in the evening when people arrive for events. The open space makes it an ideal spot for those wanting to work on their flatground tricks or film a video part.
10. Country Club Road Skate Spot
Location: 1500 Country Club Rd, Stillwater, OK
Country Club Road offers a variety of street spots, including curbs, ledges, and rails scattered along the length of the road. The terrain is smooth and well-suited to street skating. While the area is primarily residential, it’s a quieter spot where skaters can skate without too much foot traffic or distractions.
This location offers a more traditional street skating experience, with plenty of spots to session in an urban setting. Skaters can take advantage of the low traffic to hone their grind and slide techniques, and the nearby streets provide the perfect opportunity for street skating.
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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