Beginner skateparks in Illinois

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. 1 park in Illinois earns the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.

Great for beginners

1. Sunset Skatepark, Lake in the Hills, IL · a low box; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); staff on site; smooth surface

Worth a look with a grown-up

These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:

1. Highland Skatepark, Highland, IL · staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; described as family-friendly; described as all ages
2. Kiwanis Skatepark, Normal, IL · restrooms on site; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; smooth surface
3. Batavia Skatepark, Batavia, IL · restrooms on site; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly
4. Krush Skatepark, Tinley Park, IL · lit at night; staff on site; indoors, out of the weather
5. Skank Skates, Springfield, IL · lit at night; staff on site; indoors, out of the weather
6. Audubon Skatepark, Elk Grove Village, IL · lit at night; staff on site
7. Bensenville Skatepark, Bensenville, IL · lit at night; staff on site
8. Camera Park Skatepark, Glendale Heights, IL · lit at night; staff on site
9. Chillicothe Skatepark, Chillicothe, IL · lit at night; staff on site
10. Country Side Skatepark, Countryside, IL · lit at night; staff on site
11. Geneva Skatepark, Geneva, IL · staff on site; described as all ages
12. Naragansett Skatepark, Bedford Park, IL · lit at night; staff on site

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.

More around Illinois

• All Illinois skateparks
• Parks with lights in Illinois
• Skateparks near me
• Beginner parks in other places

Nearby states

• Beginner skateparks in Wisconsin (5 parks)