Skateparks are not all the same. Only a great design, vision, location, and diversity of features and obstacles make a sidewalk surfing arena iconic and exciting to ride.
Skateparks should always be designed by skaters. Or, at least, by architects and planners who once ollied the streets of their towns.
These concrete wave arenas can change lives and propel skateboarders into global stardom.
However, only a few stand the test of time and truly make a skater want to come back ever and ever again.
Take a look at our carefully curated list of iconic and legendary world skateparks.
1. Venice Beach Skatepark, California, USA
The Venice Beach Skatepark in California is arguably the world's most iconic public skatepark, situated in the vibrant Venice Beach area of Los Angeles.
Originally known as the Dennis "Polar Bear" Agnew Memorial Skatepark, it is 16,000 square feet and is located near Windward Avenue and Ocean Front Walk.
Launched in 2009, the park has since become a mecca for skaters from all around and firmly rooted Venice Beach to its rich skateboarding legacy.
One of the most influential places in the development of skateboarding has been Venice Beach.
The early 1970s saw skaters like Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Stacy Peralta experimented with modern-day skateboarding tricks and methods in impromptu skate spots around town.
These early wheelsmen, often associated with the Z-Boys, helped popularize the sport and made Venice Beach a legendary skateboarding hub.
The idea for the construction of Venice Beach Skatepark was launched following a community effort spearheaded by local skater Jesse Martinez.
The project was funded by the sale of surplus city property and cost $3.4 million to carry out.
The playground was designed to reflect the area's rich skateboarding history, featuring a variety of steps, rails, and bowls inspired by backyard pools where some early skaters used to ride.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the park briefly became a focal point of public health measures when it was covered in sand to discourage gatherings.
2. Southbank Skate Space, London, England
The Southbank Skate Space beneath London's Queen Elizabeth Hall is a legendary skate spot.
The birthplace of British skateboarding, the place has been a skateboard sanctuary since the early 1970s.
Originally an unused, dimly lit space, the site was adopted by skateboarders attracted to its unconventional man-made concrete landscape consisting of ledges, banks, stairs, and pillars.
Southbank Skate Space has a history of defiance and togetherness.
The spot was threatened with demolition several times during the 1990s and early 2000s as developers eyed it for redevelopment.
That led to the establishment of a campaign group called Long Live Southbank in 2013, and that movement eventually won out over developers.
The movement not only saved the skate area but also led to its renovation in 2017.
Sections that had been closed off for years were restored, and the spot was enhanced with new lighting and concrete repairs.
The undercroft's layout, with its smooth floors and varied obstacles, creates a perfect street-skating environment.
It's a space where skaters can come at any time during the day or night and skate without having to worry too much about other people disturbing them.
The spot is also renowned for its lively graffiti, making the city much more moving.
3. Le Bowl / Bowl du Prado, Marseille, France
The Bowl du Prado, also known as Le Bowl, is a famous skatepark located in Marseille, France, on the picturesque Prado beaches at Escale Borély.
Built in 1991, this one designed by Jean-Pierre Collinet is probably the most important skatepark of its kind Europe-wide, if not worldwide.
It is designed with five rounded cavities that resemble a clover, each shaped like a bowl.
You have bowls from 1.80 meters up to the deepest bowl at a depth of whooping 2.70 meters, making it great for beginners or more advanced riders chasing various challenges during their sessions.
Additionally, a spine section composed of two half-pipes and a street-style skating mini-bowl area is part of the design.
The assorted design variation is meant to suit all sorts of different skateboarding styles, turning it into an extremely versatile spot for both rookies and veterans.
The Bowl is also a favorite of BMX riders.
It's free access and equipped with nighttime lighting for full-on shredding 24/7.
The skatepark hosts numerous international competitions, including the prestigious Quiksilver Bowlrider, Red Bull Bowl Rippers, and the Orange Massilia Freestyle Cup.
The iconic riding arena is already a vital part of Marseille's urban landscape.
4. Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park, George Town, Cayman Islands
The largest outdoor skatepark in the western hemisphere and second largest in the world is located at Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park in George Town, Cayman Islands.
It covers a giant 62,000 square feet area.
The park, opened in 2005 by the greatest skateboarder of all time, Tony Hawk, was designed with quarter pipes, half pipes, rails, stairs, and bowls for plenty of adrenaline-fueled sessions.
The facility, run by the Cayman Islands Skateboard Association (CISA), also hosts a standing wave machine, all conveniently located just 15 minutes from George Town, behind the Grand Harbour Shopping Centre in Red Bay.
Are you a foreign visitor? No problem. Black Pearl also offers equipment rentals, including skateboards, scooters, and safety gear.
5. GMP Skatepark, Guangzhou, China
The GMP Skatepark, located in the district of Panyu in Guangzhou, China, is the world's largest skatepark, covering an enormous 168,000 square feet.
The venue, which opened in 2015, was a pricey investment for the city.
The project was a collaboration between local authorities and renowned skatepark designers Brad Shaw, founder of Sk8scapes, and Eddie Liao of B&E Actionsports.
They aimed to develop an internationally renowned skatepark that could cater to the global market and host riders from near and afar.
The GMP Skatepark features everything a sidewalk surfer dreams of.
There's a street area that mimics urban environments, with stairs, handrails, ledges, and benches.
The transition area has a range of ramps, mini ramps, snake runs, and bowls, including a massive cradle that challenges skaters to perform advanced tricks.
Last but not least, the vert section features a full pipe and a vert ramp.
While the skatepark is massive and had grandiose intentions, authorities have not been able to keep up with taking care of their facilities.
Some areas of the park were unofficially closed to skaters by 2017 after mishaps in a deep 12-foot bowl, prompting concerns over maintenance and safety.
6. Stapelbäddsparken, Malmö, Sweden
Stapelbäddsparken in Malmö, Sweden, is one of the largest and most significant in Scandinavia and Europe.
Finished in 2005, the park is a product of a collaboration between Malmö City and Swedish riders from Bryggeriet, the local skaters' club.
The joint venture was set to create an area of dedicated skateboard space, as well as make a shipyard-area derelict site into a dynamic social hub for young people.
The name "Stapelbäddsparken" reflects the area's historical roots as part of the Kockums shipyard, where ships were once constructed and launched.
Occupying almost 3,000 square meters of real estate, the arena features a range of skatable zones that include a bowl landscape, street-inspired sections, and a series of rideable metal sculptures added in 2014.
The park is open to the public year-round and is completely free to use.
Its design, led by Stefan Hauser and his company Placed To Ride, has made it suitable for casual riding and international competitions.
7. Pura Pura, La Paz, Bolivia
Pura Pura Skatepark, located in La Paz, Bolivia, is a remarkable skate venue that stands out for its altitude and the spirit of community that brought it to life.
It is located some 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level and happens to be the highest skatepark in the world.
Interestingly, the abnormally high location makes riding physically challenging due to the thin air.
The skatepark was constructed in 2014 through a collaborative effort led by the non-profit organization Make Life Skate Life, with the help of over 100 volunteers from 15 different countries.
In just under five weeks they - including local skaters Milton Arellano and Kenny Davalos - were able to build the 1,200-square-meter (approximately 21,500 square feet) park.
The project was a huge DIY effort, proving just how good for skateboarding (and the world) coming together can be.
Pura Pura also serves as a community hub, especially for the youth in La Paz and the neighboring city of El Alto.
The Ayni organization operates a youth center at the venue, offering free skateboard equipment loans and weekly classes for at-risk youth.
8. Kona Skatepark, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Kona Skatepark is a historic skatepark that has been pivotal in shaping the progression of skateboarding.
It was founded in 1977 by the late Martin Ramos II and his wife, Helen.
After some years of financial difficulties and two bankruptcies in 12 months, the local Ramos family efforts reopened Kona in 1979.
The park has since been dedicated to the youth of Jacksonville, providing a safe and healthy sports space for skaters from toddlers to 40-year-old shredders.
Kona Skatepark is famous for building some of the first vert ramps and half-pipes with a flat bottom.
It played home to several landmark events over the years, including the 1978 U.S. Open of Skateboarding that pitted East Coast skaters against West.
The park has also been a breeding ground for elite-level pro skaters, with more than 20 pros emerging from Jacksonville over the past decades.
During its brief closure in 1978, it was the site of legendary skate sessions and became a symbol of skaters' resilience and creativity.
The park's influence extended to the media as well.
In the early 1980s, the Ramos family contributed to the growing skate culture by publishing the "Skateboard" magazine.
Kona Skatepark is still operating today thanks to Martin Ramos III after his father passed away in 1995.
Over the years, additional elements like a street course and mini-ramps have been added to give it new life.
9. Livingston Skatepark, Scotland
Livingston Skatepark, in West Lothian, was the first skatepark in Scotland to be listed as a historic structure.
The iconic park, often referred to as "Livi" by locals, has been one of the Highlanders' favorite skate hubs since it opened in 1981.
Architect Iain Urquhart, who was influenced by his skater wife Dee Urquhart, drew his inspiration for the design and construction from American skateparks.
The place received the seal of approval from Tony Hawk, who famously lit up the bowl in 1991 and described it as a "legendary place."
10. Gratitude Trails, Andros, Greece
Situated high up in Kakosouli Mountain, the Gratitude Trails is an unconventional, out-of-the-box skating zone.
This skate paradise is a relatively short walk from the BluEnigma Hotel run by park founder Nikos Garyfallos, and overlooks the Aegean Sea offering breathtaking views.
Garyfallos, a passionate skater and engineer, built the Gratitude Trails as a labor of love.
The park showcases a series of gently sloped, interconnected bowls and pump tracks that resemble a yellow moonscape.
The trails offer ample challenges for riders but are a work in progress as Garyfallos adds new features and tweaks others.
One of the best things about this magical place is the scenic hike visitors are invited to embrace to reach the sports playground.
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com