Beginner skateparks in Florida
A skatepark is good for a first visit when it has low, gentle ramps, wide flat ground to practice pushing and turning, and few big features (tall ramps, handrails, deep bowls) that experienced skaters fly off. A fence between the park and the street and lights for evening visits help too.
We score every park from the features it lists. Gentle features such as a mini ramp (a small ramp to learn on), low banks and quarter pipes (short curved ramps) add points; lights, a fence, restrooms and staff on site add a little more; big features such as stairs, handrails, deep bowls and vertical ramps take points away, and a park with a handrail, vertical ramp, pool or large half-pipe is never labelled great. Parks that owners or skaters have marked beginner-friendly come first. Labels are great for beginners, mixed, or advanced. 6 parks in Florida earn the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.
Great for beginners
- Downey Park Skate Park, Orlando, FL ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night
- Bushnell Skatepark, Bushnell, FL ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; described as family-friendly
- Barber Park Skate Park, Orlando, FL ยท curbs to practice on; low ledges; a low manual pad; restrooms on site; staff on site
- Fernandina Beach Skatepark, Fernandina Beach, FL ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; described as family-friendly
- Royal Palm Beach Skatepark, FL ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages
- Reiter Park, Longwood, FL ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; restrooms on site; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly
Worth a look with a grown-up
These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:
- Artist Walk Skate Park, Jacksonville, FL ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed); quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night ยท watch out: has handrails; has ledges down stairs
- Marathon Skatepark, Marathon, FL ยท lit at night; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; described as family-friendly; described as all ages
- Key Largo YMCA Skatepark, Key Largo, FL ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; lit at night; staff on site; smooth surface ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Suwannee County Skate Spot, Silas Drive Live Oak, FL ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Apopka Action Sports Park, Apopka, FL ยท a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed); staff on site; described as good for kids ยท watch out: has gaps to jump
- Candyland Skatepark, Longwood, FL ยท low ledges; a low manual pad; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed); quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night ยท watch out: has a full pipe; has ledges down stairs
- Weston Regional Skatepark, Weston, FL ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Youth Center Skatepark, FL ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); staff on site; smooth surface; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Hamilton Upchurch Neighborhood Park, FL ยท staff on site; described as family-friendly; described as all ages
- Haulover Skatepark, Miami Beach, FL ยท staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages; smooth surface
- Ramp48 Skatepark, Fort Lauderdale, FL ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; staff on site; described as family-friendly; described as all ages ยท watch out: has a set of stairs
- Lot 11 Skatepark, Miami, FL ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
Tips for a first visit
- Go on a weekday morning or early afternoon: the park is quiet and there is room to practice.
- Wear a helmet, and knee and wrist pads for the first few visits. Most falls land on hands and knees.
- Watch for a minute before you roll in, so you can see how skaters take turns, and let faster skaters pass.
- Start on the flat ground and the smallest ramp. Rolling, stopping and turning come before any trick.
