Top 6 free outdoor skateparks in Metro Detroit

Currently two free outdoor skateparks are on the drawing board for Detroit.  One in Hamtramck Ride It Sculpture and one in Roosevelt park Roosevelt Park. So for now you have to venture out of the city to find any type skatepark designated strictly for skateboarders to use.  Often times these places are crowded and with a lack of money from local governments and can be poorly designed and unmaintained.  However, in Detroit we make due with what we got and here are the top 6 skateparks that I like to skate in Metro Detroit.  These are in my opinion the better ones in the area.

#1.  Riley Skatepark.  Founder's Sports Park, 35500 Eight Mile Road.  Located in Farmington Hills and built two years ago, Riley is the largest all cement skatepark in Michigan. At 29,000 square feet there is no shortage of space or obstacles to skate.  George Riley got the ball rolling with a $500,000 donation which covered about half of the cost to build the park.  Obviously, from the amount of money spent, this is one of the better outdoor parks in the area.  This park has  everything from bowls with pool coping to manual pads, hips, and ledges.  The only thing this park needs is lights for some late night sessions.  Sometimes it does get a little crowded after kids get out of school or on weekends.  So go early and stay late.

#2.  Auburn Hills Skatepark.  Squirrel Road and M-59.  This is a really small outdoor skatepark located right by Oakland Community College.  Very small but a fun little park to cruise around at.  All the ramps are built by Woodward and the ground is smooth.  There is even a little stream you can go fishing in, if your up for it.  Usually never crowded, but can get very hot in the summer with limited shade.

#3. Huntington Woods Skatepark.  11 Mile Road and Coolidge.  This is another free outdoor park that is made entirely out of cement.  There is a four foot mini that feeds into a six foot bowl in the shape of a snowman.  Surrounding the park is a circular street course that is really fun to cruise through.  Very smooth, but because of its limited space can become crowded very quickly.  Also the city does not open the park before April 1st.  Do not go over the fence if it is locked, you will be ticketed (I have gotten one).

#4. West Bloomfield. 14 Mile Road and Drake Road.  This park is located way out there in West Bloomfield.  Another free out door park with smooth ground with wooden/plastic ramps brought in.  Variety of small street obstacles from flat bars, benches, hips, quarters, and even a pole jam.  The best thing at this park is the spine/mini ramp.  This three foot mini totally takes the cake and will keep you shredding for hours.  If I could build one of these in my backyard I totally would.

#5. Birmingham Skatepark.  2300 East Lincoln Between 14 and 15 Mile Road.  This is one park I used to frequent quite often but haven't been skating lately.  The park itself is laid out really well and is similar to the West Bloomfield skatepark in size, layout, and ramp construction.   With a five foot mini ramp and no shortage of street obstacles this park is definitely worth it.  Management is great too.  The park is well policed and the Ice rink next door will open the park up as long as there is no snow or ice in the park.  With this mild winter we just had the park was open almost every single day from Fall right through till spring.

#6. Kennedy Park.  On Schroeder between Nine mile and Ten mile in Eastpointe.  This is new park built by the city of Eastpointe via a Federal grant to the City of Eastpointe.  With a estimated cost of around $220,000 the money was well spent.  The park has metal ramps built by American Ramp Company ARC.  They have a marble ledge and a cement jersey barrier.   Two things no other parks in the Detroit area have.   The park is very popular with local neighborhood kids, so the best sessions are in the morning.  Also, checkout Pigeon Skateshop 5 blocks away, owned by a good friend of mine.

Stop reading and Go Skate!!!!