You might have heard the term “golden era” referred to in other things or even when skaters reference the golden era of skateboarding but without a doubt, we are living in the golden era of skateparks.
“I wish I had skateparks like this when I was growing up,” says Spencer Wise, one of our skate instructors in South Carolina. “Especially with a skate coach, I would have gotten better much, much faster. But I’m glad these parks are around for the next generation.”
With skateboarding reaching every corner of the globe and countries committing to an Olympic skateboarding future, more and more skateparks are appearing in parts of the world than before. With this skatepark revolution has come some new and unique approaches to design and construction, including things like hybrid skateparks in urban areas, glow in the dark skateparks, to commissioning local artists for skateable art installations.
No matter what the case may be, in this article we will first detail what makes a skatepark unique compared to a more contemporary skatepark and then break our list into two groups:
Most Unique Skateparks in the World
Most Unique Skateparks in the USA
Whether you’re in the USA or traveling overseas, GOSKATE is here to continue providing the most comprehensive skatepark directory you can find online, complete with reviews from our instructors, students and sourced quotes we’ve researched for over a decade plus.
So without further ado, here are the Most Unique Skateparks in the World brought to you by GOSKATE.
What Makes A Skatepark Unique?
This is a great question. It’s as great as asking “What Makes A Skateboarder Unique?” but with a bit more objective truth than opinion. There’s essentially two ways a skatepark is even eligible for being considered a unique skatepark – either on purpose or on accident.
Truth be told, a skatepark doesn’t necessarily have to be a ‘good’ skatepark to be unique or certainly not beginner or kid friendly like some other skateparks we’ve highlighted. But what makes a skatepark unique? Well for one, a skatepark has to be fun and that can mean something different to each skater.
Skateboarding legend, Eric Koston famously called Chevy Chase Skatepark in Los Angeles, California, “The modern-day boring skatepark.”
A park many skaters consider to be fun and engaging. In comparison to one of his favorite skateparks Frogtown, highlighted on our list below, only has a handful of basic obstacles.
However, it comes down to factors of skatepark design and how rare the skate obstacles or skatepark design can be.
The next factor is the location of the skatepark, this itself can make the skatepark unique. Comparing this factor with personal preference or trending skate practices can make all the difference to why a skatepark is unique or general.
The last factor is something the skatepark has that can’t be anticipated, maybe it’s unique skate history, skateboarders, relative artwork or skater experience. Nonetheless, each one of these skateparks on this list represent what makes a skatepark unique and by the end of this article, you’ll have an expert’s understanding on why.
Tony Hawk once said,
“If you’re in L.A. then go to Venice Skatepark because that’s always buzzing – there’s always good skaters there.”
With zero mention of any of the park obstacles or design. But he also mentioned, in the same breadth, Linda Vista Skateboard Park in San Diego, as “the premier park in San Diego in terms of size and variety.”
Exemplifying how many factors go into why a skatepark is unique, with not all always applying all the factors to what makes them unique or worth visiting.
Here is our list of the most unique skateparks in the world divided up into two groups: Most Unique Skateparks in the World and Most Unique Skateparks in the USA.
The skateparks appear in no particular order.
Most Unique Skateparks in the World (Outside the USA)
This skatepark is not for the weak. The Pura Pura Skatepark in La Paz, Bolivia is a 3,600+ square foot skate DIY formed in 2014 through a collaborative effort of local skaters and brands. It took over 100 volunteers and Bolivian legends like Milton Arellano and Kenny Davalos and sits a whopping 3,500 meters above sea level. Built in just over three weeks and located in the highest city in the world, Red Bull Skateboarding called this skatepark, “A DIY Skate miracle.” With pool coping quarter pipes, raw ledge constructions with volcanos, spine transfers and all types of incredible one-of-a-kind obstacles, the Pura Pura Skatepark in La Paz, Bolivia is surely one of the most unique in the entire world.
Glow in the Dark Skatepark –Otro Skate Bowl, Beaumont-du-Lac, France
This skatepark’s uniqueness shouldn’t need an introduction as a glow-in-the-dark skatepark but we thought it would make the perfect skatepark to kick off our list. Designed by Koo Jeong and located on Vassiviére island in France, this fully functioning skatepark was built with the intention of eliminating the challenges of skateboarding at night. Although the strategy has not particularly eliminated all the challenges of skating at night, the park has withstood as one of the most unique in the world and coolest skateparks to visit.
SMP Guangzhou Skatepark –Guangdong Province, China
(The Largest Skatepark in the World)
You might have heard of the SMP Guangzhou Skatepark before as at the time of this article being written, it is the largest skatepark in the world. At a total of 182,000 square feet, (168,000 of actual skate obstacles) the skatepark opened in 2015 and cost the city upwards of $25 million dollars. The project took two years to complete and was built in partnership with legendary skate architect Brad Shaw. Since 2017 after some renovations, the skatepark has hosted several world-class skate contests attracting skaters from all continents.
Gratitude Trails, Andros, Greece
Every once in a while a skatepark pops up on our radar we can’t believe exists. The Gratitude Trails skatepark in Andros Greece is one of those skateparks you could never draw on a design board and say, “that looks good.” Because it looks more like something out of a BMX or snowboarding park but with cement. In addition to basically being a living art piece, the skatepark with its waves and waves of skate mounds and hills, makes a skater really in touch with the surfing roots of skateboarding. It’s also one of the most highly photogenic skateparks in the world, with skaters and their sponsors flocking to shoot editorial and skate ads. This skatepark might not be the most beginner friendly but all skaters should check out this skatepark just to witness some amazing grounded skateboarding unique to this skatepark design.
Livingston Skatepark, Scotland
When you think of skateboarding, you might not think of Scotland but the Livingston Skatepark or “Livi” as it’s known by locals –is going to change that. The skatepark is something out of a time capsule, representing the era of United Kingdom skateparks that sprouted after the 80s and 90s skate boom. With unique obstacles like a skate-loop, pocketing corners of banks, quarter pipes and ride on rails, the skatepark has become a community hub for action sports enthusiasts. The skatepark is home to the Livi Pure Fun Skate Party, one of the longest-running skate events in skateboarding history. Weather permitting, the Livingston Skatepark is one of the most fun and unique skateparks on the planet.
Bowl du Prado, Marseille, France
For decades the word “Marseille” has been synonymous with skateboarding. In fact, the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game features Marseille as a level for a skate gold medal contest. That is because this skatepark’s bowl or transition section has hosted a legendary contest for decades, where skaters competed as a proving ground for park skating. Skaters like John Cardiel, Dylan Reider and Tony Trujillo or some legendary pros that have skated the contest. Covered in graffiti and boasting a design from a simpler time, the proving ground that is the Bowl du Prado in Marseille, France endure as the embedded symbol of legendary bowl contest skating.
You hear “this skatepark looks like something out of a time capsule” or you’ve heard “this skatepark looks like something out of a video game.” Well, the Skate Church in Kaos Temple, Spain, “is something out of a dream.” Literally built inside an old cathedral, the skatepark is a giant mini-vert-ramp that fits perfectly under the large tall ceilings. Originally abandoned and taken over the only way skaters can, the big windows and natural acoustics create one of the most unique atmospheres a skater can experience. Honestly, words fall short in describing this unique skatepark, here check out this video:
La Duna Skatepark, Juarez, Mexico
Mexico is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, so it makes perfect sense they would call home to some of the most beautiful skateparks. That being said, the construction and architectural masterpiece of La Duna Skatepark in Chihuahua, Mexico, has one of the most unique (and perfect) skatepark layouts. With trees sprinkled throughout the park on skateable hips, the switch back style downhill ledge lines leading to flat bars, banks, quarters and petite stair sets, this skatepark has one of the best flows ever constructed. Is it really possible for a skatepark to have zero flaws? If so, La Duna Skatepark in Juarez Mexico is that unique skatepark.
Stapelbäddsparken Malmö Sweden
Malmó Sweden has since exploded as a destination for skateboards to travel to from around the world. But most skaters will pleasantly be surprised that the Stapelbåddsparken skatepark has a longstanding heritage for supporting the Swedish skateboarding community. That being said, the skatepark is certainly unique in its own right, boasting unique quarter pipe snake runs and street course obstacles all painted to create a living art piece. This skatepark is a design marvel, having existed generations prior to where skateboarding has evolved to now with a more complex and technical design typically absent for skateparks designed at this time. So when you and your friends are planning your next trip to Sweden, don’t forget Stapelbäddsparken Malmö Sweden.
Most Unique Skateparks in the USA
St. Helena Skatepark, St. Helena, California, USA
St. Helena Skatepark sounds like it is nestled beneath a volcano but it is actually nestled in the bay area of Northern California. This skatepark’s close proximity to skate havens like San Francisco and Sacramento can sometimes cause it to be overlooked but real skaters for years have been flocking to this amazing skatepark for its unique features and design. Built in 2009, the skatepark was vastly ahead of its time. It is largely regarded as the perfect blend of street and transition sections and the perfect blend of traditional and unique can’t-find-anywhere-else obstacles.
Ritchie Valens Skate Plaza, “P-Rods Park” Pacoima, California, USA
Could you imagine what it would be like to be able to skate all of Los Angeles’ most iconic skate spots all in one place? Well, skaters can look no further with the Ritchie Valens Skate Plaza in Pacoima, California. Built by legendary skater Paul Rodriguez, the San Fernando Valley skatepark features replica skate spots made famous by decades of skate videos. The DWP ledges in downtown L.A., the griffith park bank, Sylmar handrails and the L.A. High Shootout rail are just some of the iconic skate spots present at this park. P-Rod wanted to give back to his SFV community and with the help of Nike SB built one of the most legendary and unique skateparks in the world. Check out this video from opening day.
Des Moines Lauridsen Skatepark, Iowa, USA
When you think of amazing skateparks, you might not think of the more rural states like Iowa. But the fact of the matter is, Des Moines Iowa has one of the most amazing skate parks in the Lauridsen Skatepark. We’re first putting this skatepark on the list because it’s unique by being in the state of Iowa but also because it’s a huge skatepark with a complex design of street, transition and vert obstacles that attracts skaters from all across the USA. It was also originally designed to host skate contests and famously opened by hosting Mountain Dew’s DewTour.
Denver Skatepark “D Park” –Denver, Colorado, USA
One of the ways a skatepark can be unique is its ability to remain relevant even when being built decades before popular skate trends. Denver Skatepark, sometimes referred to as Downtown Denver or D-Park, was built in 2001 and coming in at an impressive 60,000 square feet, is one of the largest skateparks in the USA. The skatepark features both designs no longer typically found at skateparks and designs that were way ahead of its time. For example, the park features ice-cream scooped bowls or ponds throughout the park, which make for interesting obstacles unfound in other parks. However, the park also has a mini pump track and slappy curbs not typically found at skateparks built in 2001. A sprawling street section, huge bowls with cut wedges and elevated coping, this massive skatepark also has a pink hue, making the skatepark an instant icon when appearing in any footage. The author of this article considered this his favorite skatepark, which is worth the stop if you’re in the Denver area alone.
Skateable Art Skatepark – Famu Way, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
As we mentioned in our opener, some skateparks will hire an artist to create skateable art installations in a skatepark’s design. While in most instances these installations are more cosmetic, there are some rare instances where the installations are a main skate obstacle. Famu Way Skatepark in Tallahassee, Florida, has an incredible art installation of a skateable dragon-like snakehead, spawned down a snake run covered in mini quarter pipes and bulbous mounds. Not only is it a marvel to look at but it’s much more skateable than some other installations and truly makes the Famu Way skatepark unique.
Venice Skatepark, Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California, USA
There’s an argument that Venice Beach skatepark is the most iconic skatepark in the world and how can you ever leave Venice skatepark off a list about skateparks. That being said, this skatepark is often overlooked in terms of its uniqueness. It’s unique for several reasons, the most obvious being that it is such a high profile skatepark that any time you skate there, there’s always a healthy crowd of onlookers and skaters putting on a show. The next would be how the skatepark is literally right on the sand with a breathtaking view of the pacific ocean and the surrounding quarter pipes being shaped like waves, making you feel like you’re surfing concrete waves. Being here at sunset is honestly one of the best experiences any skater can have and we highly recommend coming at this time even if it’s just to watch the amazing skaters.
Marsh “FrogTown” Skatepark, Atwater Village, California, USA
Marsh Skatepark, also known as “FrogTown” in Atwater Village, is one of the most unique skateparks in the world and it represents a growing conversation among aging skaters –are all skateparks becoming too similar? As we stated in the opener, legendary skateboarders like Eric Koston love FrogTown and criticize more contemporary skateparks like Chevy Chase. Many of today’s skateparks (especially in California) are built by the same designers and feature obstacles made popular by street league and the Olympics. Older skateparks like FrogTown, which features a simple box, a perfect flat bar, a metal mini ramp, and an interesting funbox pyramid surrounded by large metal ramps, homages the old saying, “unique skateparks produce unique skaters.” There’s a video below which perfectly explains the current conversation and what makes a skatepark like FrogTown so unique.
Haulover Skate Park, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Pump tracks are one of the hottest trends in skatepark design in today’s newest skateparks. Partly because it allows new skaters a great way of developing the skill of pumping which often escapes beginner skaters. That being said, have you ever seen a skatepark basically entirely a pump track? As if being nestled right next to the ocean isn’t unique enough, the Haulover Skatepark in Miami Beach is an entire pump track painted in unique colors to get skaters zooming and booming around corners and over bumps to catch massive airs. Step into the pump track of a lifetime and test your skill level at this unique skatepark in South Florida.
Kailua-Kona “Kona” Skatepark, Hawaii, USA
What makes the Kailua-Kona skatepark in Hawaii so unique? How about the fact that this skatepark is known by one name “Kona.” As the second skatepark to appear on this list, Kona was featured in a Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game franchise and checks several boxes we’ve discussed that make the skatepark so unique. This skatepark first opened in 1977 and has hosted some of the most legendary skate contests of all time. Skaters like Tony Hawk and Steve Caballero were blasting into the air, literally inventing tricks before our eyes. Additionally, the skatepark predates modern design with unique tombstones and bowls that would never appear in contemporary skateparks. Last but not least, this skatepark is in Hawaii, where skateboarding comes from surfing, connecting skating to the deepest roots of board sports.
Lot 11 Skatepark, Miami, Florida, USA
We wanted to end this list with a special, special skatepark. The Lot 11 skate park in South Florida is one of the highest caliber skate parks the world has ever seen. Built with the best construction in terms of harnessing a street section with transition elements and also in homaging famous Miami skate spots, this skatepark just doesn’t have any cons. Without a doubt, a thriving skate scene is present at this skatepark and surely will produce some of the best skaters out of South Florida the skate world has ever seen. When we talk about the golden era of skateparks, Lot 11 is the crown jewel of that statement.
![Everything You Need to Know about Go Skate Day 2025 [Events List]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MTM1NToxNTM4-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTUwIDE1MCIgd2lkdGg9IjE1MCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNTAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+ "Everything You Need to Know about Go Skate Day 2025 [Events List]")
