Beginner and kid-friendly skateparks near Phoenix, AZ
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 near Phoenix, AZ earns the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.
Great for beginners
- Foothills Skatepark, Glendale, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; a low manual pad; small speed bumps
Worth a look with a grown-up
These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:
- Kids That Rip Skatepark, Mesa, AZ ยท low ledges; lit at night; restrooms on site; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Hudson Skatepark, Tempe, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; a low manual pad; lit at night ยท watch out: has ledges down stairs; has a spine (two ramps back to back); has handrails
- Pecos Skatepark, Phoenix, AZ ยท low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; restrooms on site ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has handrails; has ledges down stairs
- The Bridge Skatepark, Chandler, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; a low manual pad; a low, gentle half-pipe ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has ledges down stairs; has round rails
- McDowell Mountain Ranch Skatepark, Scottsdale, AZ ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; restrooms on site ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has handrails; has ledges down stairs
- Eastmark Skatepark, S Carver Mesa, AZ ยท lit at night; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly ยท watch out: has a set of stairs
- Mitchell Skatepark, Tempe, AZ ยท low ledges; a low manual pad; staff on site ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Nueve Skatepark, Phoenix, AZ ยท a small kicker ramp; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; restrooms on site; staff on site ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has handrails; 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.
