Vergie Hassig

Skating and skateboarding is a very popular activity in the central part of Minnesota where I live. My grandsons, as well as the neighbor kids all enjoy this sport, especially when the weather is warm and they can be outside for hours at a time. There are a number of skating and skateboard parks here in the center of Minnesota. Some of them are small like the one that is located just a couple of blocks down street from my home, and some of them are huge and are located inside a building that can be used for other activities. I will give you a guide to some of what I consider to be the best skating parks here in central Minnesota.

1. Maple Grove Skate Park, 12800 Arbor Lakes Pkwy. N, Maple Grove, Mn. This park is located in the city of Maple Grove, where one of my brother lives, so we have taken our children and grandchildren their a number of times. It’s an aggressive skate park for in-line skaters as well as skateboarders. The park features half pipe, wide bump banks, ground rails, mini spine, a launch box and much more for the avid skater. Helmets are required and there is no age limit, but children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free here, which makes it nice.

2. Overpass Skate Park,100 Washington Ave. S., Hopkins, Mn. This is one of the newer skate parks here in Minnesota and it is unique in the fact that it located directly under the 169 bridge, where it crosses Excelsior Blvd. It’s a 6ft. spine with a pump-dump and big street course. It offers aggressive skating, piano banks, kinked rails, fun boxes and also a staircase. The Overpass Skate Park spans 18,000 sq. ft. and has 14 pieces of spine ramp, pyramids, rails and jumps. The hwy. overpass protects skaters from the rain and operates as weather permits.

3. Showcase Skate Park, 20401 Cty. Rd. 81, Rogers, Mn. This is one of the largest skate parks in Minnesota with a 22,000 sq. ft. floor. This facility can be used for concerts, parties and wedding receptions, which is how I discovered it, as it was the site for a nephews wedding reception. For skating it has an 11 foot half pipe bowl. It also has a foam pit. It has a concession stand, pro shop, and an observation deck where you’re able to view the entire skate park. For rates and info., go to www.showcase skate park.com.

4. YMCA Tri City Skate Park, 7355 York Ave. S., Edina, Mn. Three cites in the Twin Cities Metro area joined forces with the YMCA to build this first in-ground, all concrete skate park in the upper Midwest. It has 17,000 sq. ft. of skate-able surface. with ranges in depth from 4ft. to 12 ft.. It requires full pads and helmets. It’s owned by the YMCA but is open to non members as well. Rates vary by membership or non-membership status. Info: www.YMCATwinCities.org.

5. 3rd Lair Skatepark, 850 Florida Ave., Golden Valley, Mn. One of Minnesota’s finest indoor skate parks which has 22,000 sq. ft. with a vert ramp, mini ramp, bowl and tight street course. It has concessions, a party room, pro-shop, and music concerts several times a year. It offers skate camps, skate lessons and rentals. My grandsons have enjoyed this skate park on a number of occasions, including an all night party. It’s a safe, drug free facility. 3rd Lair owns a couple of other skate parks in the Minneapolis area. Info. www.3rd Lair.com

The above skate parks are some of the larger skate parks in Minnesota, but there a number of smaller skate parks located in the smaller towns throughout Central Minnesota including Mora, Pine City, Big Lake, Buffalo, and Hutchinson, just to name a few. Their ideal for the beginning skaters as well as someone who just wants to get out and get some exercise and have fun.

Sources: Minnesota Skate Parks.Com
Maple Grove Community Center.Com
Showcase Skate Park.Com
YMCA Twin Cities.org
3rd Lair.Com
personal experience

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