If homemade ramps in the driveway are no longer cutting it or you’re worried your freewheeling tyke is going to get run over, check out some of Des Moines’ best skate parks. Your little Tony Hawk can master some sick tricks in no time and you may just find a sweet new hangout.
Prairie Ridge Skate Park
1400 NW Prairie Ridge Drive, Ankeny
Located near the Prairie Ridge Aquatic center in Ankeny, this park offers a 15 foot skate bowl, fit for riders of all abilities. With plenty of grass and benches, all you have to do is pick a spot and cheer from the sidelines. When your little skater gets tired, let the skills and tricks of the older crowd entertain you.
Skate Park
1000 Venbury Drive, Altoona
This killer skate park, located in Altoona, has stairs, ramps and ledges and is worth the trip. Aspiring skaters can try out some new moves or sit along the edge and watch the older kids practice their sick tricks. After skating you can cool off with a swim at the nearby Altoona Aquatics center.
Four Mile Skate Park
3711 Easton Boulevard, Des Moines
The City of Des Moines’ first skate park is located at the Robert Scott Four-Mile Community Center and Park. The Four Mile Skate Park is a small park perfect for beginners but challenging enough for advanced riders, featuring transition, ledges, banks and pads that all flow together.
Indianola Skate Park
North G Street, West Euclid Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125
Little daredevils can practice their moves on ramps, waterfalls, half-pipes and stairs at the skate park in Indianola’s Memorial Park. There are no scooters or bikes allowed on the track, just skateboards and in-line skates are permitted to show off their mad skills.
Walker-Johnston Skate Park
9000 Douglas Avenue, Urbandale
You really can’t go wrong at a park that offers a skate park with twists and turns, perfect for the Littles to work on their nosegrinds and fakies. In addition to this super fly skatepark, the park boasts a playground suitable for the small and big crowd. Pack a lunch and plan on staying for the afternoon.
Crossroads Skate Park
5205 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
A skate park, playground, covered picnic tables, and trail access will make for a day packed full of fun at Crossroads Park. This park also offers tennis courts so you can work on your back hand while your skater carves and grinds his way around the park. With all these amenities, it’s easy to see why this park is a West Des Moines fave.
Do you have a budding skate boarder in your house? Which skate parks are your family’s favorite? Let us know in the Comments below.