Alan ‘Bo’ BorensteinSince the ’70s, Vancouver’s been all about that skate life, flaunting some of Canada’s oldest skateparks and shops. It really took off in the ’90s, hitting the big leagues with the Slam City Jam debut.
Join us as we roll into the heart of the action, exploring the best skateboard parks that define the city’s vibrant skate scene. Grab your board and dive into the pulse of Vancouver’s skate culture!
- Do an Axle at China Creek Skateboard Park
- Grind at the Plaza Skateboard Park
- Carve through Concrete Curves at Hastings Skatepark
- Shred Lines at Kensington Skatepark
- Defy Gravity at the Leeside Tunnel Skateboard Park
- Master New Tricks at Mount Pleasant Skateboard Park
- Kickflip with Style at Quilchena Skateboard Park
- Do Some Gnarly Tricks at Strathcona Skateboard Park
- Bash through UBC Skate Park
- Maneuver through Griffin Bowl
- Tips for a Safe Skateboarding Experience
Do an Axle at China Creek Skateboard Park
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/china-creek-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: 1260 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5T 1Y7, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
You can find China Creek Skateboard Park over at East Broadway and Clark. They got two skate bowls that are good to go from sunrise to sunset. This spot’s been around since ’79, making it the oldest skatepark in Vancouver.
The two skate bowls have enough space around them for skaters to perform tricks and maneuver freely. It’s free for anyone to use, and guess what? It’s still that way today.
Pro tip:
It’s a great place to do a “boneless” because the skatepark has smooth ramps and a supportive community of skaters.
Grind at the Plaza Skateboard Park
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/downtown-skateboard-plaza.aspx
Address: Quebec St & Union St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Just by the southeast corner of Andy Livingstone Park, you’ll hit up Plaza Skateboard Park chilling right under the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts. It’s a pretty massive skate spot, rocking rails, ledges, and a big, flat area.
If you’re just starting out, it might not be your jam, but let us tell you, the folks who’ve been shredding here—especially the intermediate and advanced crew—they’re absolutely killing it.
Pro tip:
This place is perfect for you if you enjoy sitting on stairs and skating ledges.
Carve through Concrete Curves at Hastings Skatepark
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/hastings-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: Renfrew St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
This concrete skate park is just at Renfrew Street and Pandora Street. It’s the Hastings Skatepark, or you might hear folks call it Hastings Bowl. This spot is legit, with ramps that have a smooth flow, welcoming all kinds of wheels.
They’ve got three bowls all linked up, going from 5 to 11 feet deep—serious business. And if that’s not enough, there’s a separate street course with loads of coped ledges and wall rides to keep the session interesting.
Pro tip:
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can head to the mini street area behind the bowl.
Shred Lines at Kensington Skatepark
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/kensington-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: Knight St, Vancouver, BC V5P 3A2, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-718-6200
Operating hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Right behind the Kensington Community Center, you’ll stumble upon the Kensington Skatepark. They’ve got this rad retro-style bowl that’s like an old-school empty swimming pool, plus some cool rails, ledges, and banks.
Just a heads up, it’s not exactly beginner-friendly because that bowl is on the steeper side. But hey, if you’re into practicing ollies and carves, it’s a fun little skatepark with a legit pool-style bowl.
Pro tip:
It’s an excellent location for heavy snowfall, with a nice hill next to the park and jumps suitable for urban skiing and snowboarding.
Defy Gravity at the Leeside Tunnel Skateboard Park
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/leeside-tunnel-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: Cassiar Connector & East Hastings St and Highway 1, Vancouver, BC V5K 2C8, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
The Leeside Tunnel Skateboard Park is an iconic skatepark with one-of-a-kind graffiti that’ll catch your eye, all tucked away in a tunnel that brings some intense, ominous acoustics.
Inside that 49-meter tunnel, you’ll find about a dozen hand-built obstacles, from mini-ramps to grind poles and quarter pipes. To hit this spot, just slide under the Cassiar St. Connector at the crossroads of East Hastings St and Highway 1.
Pro tip:
The artwork here changes all the time, so it’s a very cool place to photograph graffiti.
Master New Tricks at Mount Pleasant Skateboard Park
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/mount-pleasant-park-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: 3161 Ontario St, Vancouver, BC V5T 2Y9, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 9pm
If you’re on the hunt for the Mount Pleasant Skateboard Park, head over to Mt Pleasant Park near 16th Ave, Ontario St, and West 15th Ave.mThis skate spot packs 260 m2 (430 ft2) of beginner-friendly, plaza-style setups.
It has a bank to the ledge, pump bump/hip, a fun box with all the goods (wedge, ledge, slappy), a steel rail, a transition feature with roll-ins, and a smoothly curved ascending transition.
Pro tip:
The park is good for highly experienced skaters who simply want to perform fire runs. If not, it is too little to share by five or more skaters.
Kickflip with Style at Quilchena Skateboard Park
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/quilchena-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: 1850 W 30th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 3A3, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6am to 10pm
The Quilchena Skateboard Park features a spacious rectangle-shaped setup with some killer features. You’ve got down ledges, flat bar rails, a long ledge, a quarter pipe, a manny pad, and some fun boxes to spice things up.
You can track it down at the North East corner of Quilchena Park, hanging out at 4590 Magnolia Cres. Fair warning, it might not be the biggest skatepark in town, but trust us, it’s still a solid spot to shred.
Pro tip:
There’s also a park right next to this skatepark, as well as a small walking trail, making the park easily accessible.
Do Some Gnarly Tricks at Strathcona Skateboard Park
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/quilchena-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: 1850 W 30th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 3A3, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6am to 10pm
For beginner skaters, the Strathcona Skateboard Park is an awesome spot to practice your skills. It doesn’t have too many features but it’s a great spot when you’re just starting out.
This 2,500 square feet park has an asphalt deck, concrete boxes, hubbas, ledges, a bench, a long box, and a round rail to help skaters learn and improve their tricks.
Pro tip:
The ledge coping here works great, making it a fun park for connecting grinds and slides. It’s also ideal for getting comfortable with smaller ramps and kickers!
Bash through UBC Skate Park
Website: https://skateparktour.ca/skateparks/ubc-skatepark-vancouver-bc/
Address: 6066 Thunderbird Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
Operating hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Throw it back to 2013, and you’ll spot this skatepark right where Thunderbird Boulevard meets the Health Sciences Mall. This spot’s got some size to it, boasting solid ramps, rails, ledges, and a sweet stair set.
In the mornings, you’ll catch a mix of skaters making moves, but heads up—it tends to pick up in the afternoon and gets a bit bustling.
Pro tip:
It draws a diverse crowd in the mornings but tends to get busier in the afternoons.
Maneuver through Griffin Bowl
Website: https://skateparktour.ca/skateparks/griffin-bowl-north-vancouver-bc/
Address: W Queens Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 2M8, Canada
Operating hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Nestled right next to the William Griffin Rec Centre at 851 West Queens Road, the Griffin Bowl is a concrete skate park with a snake run that wraps up with a slick bowl, boasting awesome transitions.
What makes it stand out? Those hips for ollieing take the crown. Plus, it’s all free, concrete, and out in the open. Picture it—a snake run vibe, starting off with a shallow squared-off halfpipe up top and winding its way down into the bowl.
Pro tip:
It features ramps, a bowl, ledges, and rails, offering ample space for both skateboarders and bikers.
Tips for a Safe Skateboarding Experience
Skateboarding is an awesome way to get ‘round town and have fun. It provides a thrilling experience as you glide through streets and perform tricks and maneuvers.
But hold up! With great fun comes great responsibility. Here are a few safety tips you may wanna read through before heading out on your board:
- Protect Your Noggin: wear a helmet to safeguard your head in case you fall.
- Check Your Board: inspect your skateboard for any loose screws or issues.
- Gear Up: wear elbow and knee pads for added protection.
- Skate Where You’re Supposed to: stick to skating on designated skateboarding spots.
- Stay Visible: wear reflective clothing if you’re planning to skate out at night.
- Mind Traffic Rules: look left and right before skating to the other side of the road.
- Stick With What You Know: gradually progress in your skills and avoid tricks that could lead to accidents.
- Stay Hydrated: bring a water tumbler (with actual water) to keep you hydrated throughout skate sessions.
- Be Your Best Self: be friendly towards other skaters, pedestrians, and bikers.
