Skating sees a resurgence in popularity. Here’s 4 parks in Lexington to take your board
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Those hoping to break out the skateboard this season are in luck, as the city of Lexington has four dedicated skate parks.
Beyond fun places to cruise on your board and practice, these parks have some aesthetic appeal — perfect for those looking to capture their latest trick for TikTok or another social media platform. So whether you dig horses, sculpture gardens or simply the streets, there’s a skate park for you.
The practice of skateboarding has been revived since the pandemic. The sport has become popular on social media sites and debuted at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, further boosting interest. One important component of the resurgence is increased diversity of skaters, including people of various genders, ethnicities and backgrounds.
For those who picked up a skateboard for the first time during stay-at-home orders to longtime veterans of the sport, here’s four skate parks maintained by Lexington Parks and Recreation.
They close daily at sundown and are free to use.
Kirklevington Skate Park
This park has equipment designed for newbies and those with more skating experience. It aims to offer more urban, “street elements,” while blending with existing facilities, according to Lexington Parks and Recreation.
At Kirklevington, you can take your board up on benches, concrete boxes, jersey barrier and grinding rail.
Location: 369 Redding Road, Lexington, KY 40517
Woodland Skate Park
Coming in at 12,000 square feet, Woodland Skate Park is decked out with platforms, ramps, bowls and pipes, a city description of the facility notes.
No bikes are allowed in this Lexington skate park.
Location: 600 E. High St., Lexington, KY 40502
Berry Hill Skate Park
This facility pays homage to Lexington’s equestrian culture through its horseshoe-stamped concrete and metal railing featuring thoroughbreds, according to parks and recreation.
The park is 18,000 square feet, and listed skate amenities include a snake run, street section, flow bowl, stairs and rails.
Location: 3489 Buckhorn Drive, Lexington, KY 40515
Valley Park Skate Spot
The newest of Lexington’s skate parks, Valley Park was finished in 2016. Its skate amenities are in line with Kirklevington’s, the city’s says in a description of the facility.
The 6,200-square-foot facility is styled like a sculpture garden, though you’ll still find angled banks, rails, ledges and hump ramps.
Location: 2077 Cambridge Dr., Lexington, KY 40504
Lexingon’s skatepark rules
While these skate spots are free and open to the public, park rules apply. Here’s what to know:
- Children (age 17 and younger) should be supervised by a parent.
- Know your abilities and skate at your own risk.
- Skating is permitted during park hours only.
- Horseplay, shoving and fighting are not tolerated.
- Skaters are encouraged to wear a helmet and knee/elbow pads.
- Items not intended for skating (benches, tables etc.) may not be used as ramps or jumps.
- You may not bring glass containers into the fenced skating area.
- Do not proceed down a ramp until it is clear of other skaters.
- Do not skate against the traffic flow on ramps or pipes.
- Certain weather conditions such as snow, ice or rain can affect safety conditions.
- Avoid overcrowding the facility.
- Smoking, eating and drinking are not allowed onsite.
- Spectators are not allowed in the skating area.
A Kentucky recreation statute applies to skate park users. The law is designed to mitigate liability of landowners in cases of injury or death on the premises.
Do you have a question about recreation in Lexington for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out the form below or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Skating sees a resurgence in popularity. Here’s 4 parks in Lexington to take your board."
