Beginner skateparks in New York
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. 5 parks in New York earn the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.
Great for beginners
- Breaking Free Skatepark, Rochester, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages; lessons offered
- East Rome Skatepark, Rome, NY ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as beginner-friendly; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Tanner Park Skatepark, Amityville, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; described as all ages; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Seneca Falls Skatepark, Seneca Falls, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as all ages; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Ives Skatepark, Tonawanda, NY ยท low ledges; described as beginner-friendly; described as family-friendly; described as all ages; a place to learn
Worth a look with a grown-up
These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:
- Evans Skatepark, Angola, NY ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages ยท watch out: has a set of stairs
- Red Hook Skatepark, Red Hook, NY ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Bullard Skatepark, Albion, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; described as all ages; smooth surface ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Geneva Skatepark, Ada Street (Ridgewood Park) Geneva, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; described as all ages ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Honeoye Falls DIY Skatepark, Honeoye Falls, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; described as all ages ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Lancaster Skatepark, Lancaster, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Poland Skate Park, Village of Poland, NY ยท low ledges; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Valley Stream Skatepark, Valley Stream, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages; smooth surface ยท watch out: has a spine (two ramps back to back); has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Boonville Skatepark, NY ยท low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); smooth surface ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Montauk City Park, S. Ely St. and Essex st, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as family-friendly ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- North Hempstead's Skatepark, Port Washington, NY ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as family-friendly; described as all ages; a place to learn; smooth surface ยท watch out: has a set of stairs
- William S Kelley Skatepark, Kent St. and Ralph St, NY ยท low ledges; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
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 New York
Nearby states
- Beginner skateparks in Connecticut (1 park)
- Beginner skateparks in New Jersey (3 parks)
- Beginner skateparks in Pennsylvania (1 park)
- Beginner skateparks in Vermont (1 park)
