“I’m going try something 15 times and I won’t land it 14 times; but when I land it, people are going to lose their shit.” That’s the kind of thing that skateboarders say, according to Jason Moran, co-curator of last September’s ‘Finding A Line: Skateboarding, Music, and Media’ at the Kennedy Center. In skateboard culture, if you’re not covered in bruises, you’re not trying. “It’s an addiction,” said Brian Tucci, a local legend that set the bar for the D.C. skate scene. “I can walk right out the door, take three steps and put my board down, and I’m instantly having fun once I roll, like, five feet. So that’s all it is for me. It’s just the exhilaration of being free to do what you want.”
Washington D.C. skate culture has always had a rich heritage. When Tony Hawk donated his skateboard, a 1975 fiberglass Bahne model, to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, it cemented the sport’s legitimacy. When the city built the Maloof Skate Park, with design input from the world’s top professionals, it was built to be enjoyed by skateboarders of all ages for years to come. And, the skate park landscape continues to evolve. Here are eight of the best skate parks in the D.C. area. —James Houser and Sean Michael Hayes
Photo by Dave Salovesh
MALOOF SKATE PARK: What was once just a parking lot at RFK Stadium is now arguably the top skate park in the D.C. area. The 15,000 sq. ft. facility is open daily from dawn to dusk. Designed by professional skateboarder Geoff Rowley, it was D.C.’s first major skate park. Taking inspiration from local skate spots, the Maloof Skate Park includes replicas of the Freedom Plaza ledges and urban architecture on Pennsylvania Ave. The inaugural Maloof Money Cup skating tournament was held in September 2011. The venue is host to all ages and skills and offers a family-friendly vibe.
Maloof Skate Park is located at RFK Stadium, 2400 E Capitol St. SE
GREEN SKATE LAB: A transition skaters dream, this park is essentially one big bowl. It features real “pool coping” with a 9 ft. deep end section, which faces a smaller 6 ft. section on the other side. In the middle is a 3.5 ft. roller that separates the two sides. The shallow section is 3-4 ft. deep, with a beginner-style mellow transition—perfect to learn how to drop in. The volunteer project was built above ground using stacked recycled tires as the foundation. A Tony Hawk Foundation Grant helped build the project. Other amenities include a recreation center, playground and performance space. The smooth bowl rides like butter.
Green Skate Lab is located at 2901 20th St. NE
Photo by Victoria Pickering
SHAW SKATE PARK: Open year-round daily from dusk to dawn, this 11,000 sq. ft. concrete park was renovated by the Department of Parks and Recreation in 2011. It’s famous for its precast concrete ramps, stairs, grind boxes and half-pipes. The vibe is chill and the people are friendly, according to a Palace 5ive skate shop employee. It is free to skateboard, but since it is an unsupervised site users are warned to skate at their own risk. The city recommends that all skaters use safety equipment. Don’t miss the Shaw Dog Park on the same block.
Shaw Skate Park is located at 11th St and Rhode Island Ave. NW
(Courtesy of Arlington Parks & Recreation)
POWHATAN SPRINGS SKATEPARK: Located just outside the metro area, the Powhatan Springs Skatepark is worth the short drive. One of the most popular features of Powhatan Springs Park, the 15,000 sq. ft. skate park features an 11 ft. and 8 ft. deep bowl, vert extensions, stairs with railings, picnic table, grate gap, hubba ledge and many other street-style elements, bowls and halfpipes. It opens at sunrise and closes at 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Friday and Saturday). Helmets are required but not provided and helmet rental is not available. A new concept design is in the final stages and will add a street course and bowl for beginners, among other features.
Powhatan Springs Skatepark is located at 6020 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, VA
Photo by Victoria Pickering
FREEDOM PLAZA: Warning: Skateboarding is publicly banned. Some of D.C’s best spots for skating are also off limits; Freedom Plaza is one of them. It has become one of the District’s most famous skate spots due to its smooth architecture and long, stone barriers. There are also oversized saucer-shaped metal planters, which skaters use as natural launch ramps. But any skating on them is at your own risk. There have been reports of skaters having their boards impounded and getting a $50 ticket. If you want to skate Freedom Plaza ledges without hassle, try the Maloof Skate Park’s replicas.
Freedom Plaza is located at 1455 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Courtesy of Spohn Ranch Skateparks
WOODSIDE PARK SKATEPARK: If you’re in the mood for a more peaceful ambiance and a place to relax with friends, plan an afternoon skate session in Montgomery County. The 3,500 sq. ft. spot at Woodside Park has a handful of skateable elements and sculptural features. Built in 2010 by Spohn Ranch, the skate park is an integral piece of the Woodside Urban Park. It provides youth in the community enhanced play opportunities. Considered a skate ‘spot’, it features street-style ledges and embankments. Look for it between the gymnasium and basketball court.
Woodside Park Skatepark is located at 8818 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD
Courtesy of Fairfax County
WAKEFIELD SKATE PARK: This family-friendly skate park is Fairfax County’s first, and offers recreation opportunities for kids and adults of all ages. From skateboarding and inline skating to BMX courses, Wakefield Skate Park is a fun place to spend the day. The park features bank ramps, a 4 ft. quarter pipe, grind rails, grind box, euro gap, and other skate and bike park elements. Camp out at one of the picnic tables and enjoy the action. Admission is free. Helmets, elbow pads and knee pads are all required. Equipment rental is available onsite. Public and private classes and camps are available.
Wakefield Skate Park is located at 8100 Braddock Rd. Annandale, VA
ROCKVILLE SKATE PARK: When the City of Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks built this one-of-a-kind skate park, they turned to local skaters for input. Because the community designed the park, it’s become a destination for skaters across the area. Features include: 24×4 ft. mini ramp, 3x4x20 micro ramp with escalator and extension, hubba ledges, euro-gap, quarter pipes, rails, funboxes, and manual pads. Even if you aren’t a skateboarder, it’s worth the trip to check out the murals painted by local artists. Rockville Skate Park is free and open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. All ages are welcome, and a summer camp for kids ages 6-14 is available.
Rockville Skate Park is located at 355 Martins Lane Rockville, MD
