Everything You Want to Know About Metro Detroit's New Skate Parks

Did you know that Tony Hawk opened two new skate parks in Michigan this Summer? These new built-to-skate spaces were laid out and funded by the Tony Hawk Foundation, a non-profit that has built over 600 different free skate parks in communities all over the US. Tony understands how important it is for kids to get out and skate with their friends so he is making sure that no matter where you are, you can do that. He gave Ferndale and Detroit each a $250,000 grant to build a park and that is exactly what they did.

The Ferndale skate park features 11,000 square feet of smooth cement that is laid out so that you can drop in anywhere and just keep going. There are a few rails built into space and no harsh edges. A lot of people can skate the park at the same time and the space is set up so that family and friends can hang out while you do so. There are 7 shaded picnic benches surrounding the skate park, as well as two playgrounds and a covered area around 50 feet away. The only that is missing is a bathroom. So you need to make sure that you have a plan if you decide to bring the family to hang out for the day. Helmets are required to ride in the park and space is completely unsupervised so you are riding at your own risk. The Ferndale skate park is located at 1198 Earle Blvd., Ferndale, MI 48220

The Detroit skate park is even bigger than the Ferndale location, clocking in at around 15,000 square feet. It has the same built to ride design, but there are a lot more amenities at this park. This includes soccer fields, a basketball court, a playground, restrooms, a softball field, and a picnic shelter. They also recently opened a dog park so pooches are welcome to come to hang out too. The Detroit skate park is located inside West Riverfront Park, located in Southwest.

Both parks are 100 % free to skate at your own risk. Helmets are required, pads are recommended. Skateboards, roller blades, BMX bikes, and scooters are all allowed to come roll.

Photo at the Detroit location by Camera Jesus

~S