Rockaway Skatepark
Rockaway Beach Skatepark is a 16,000 square-foot outdoor concrete skatepark in Far Rockaway, New York that was remodeled and reopened in 2020. The skatepark is packed with features, including ledges, curbs, rails, hubbas, and a snake run section.
Details
Location | Queens, New York |
Address | 8601 Shore Front Parkway Far Rockaway, New York 11693 |
Coordinates | 40.584124, -73.813372 |
Features | Long winding snake run, minibowl, street plaza, hubbas, ledges, curbs, and rails |
Size | 16,000 square feet |
Riding Allowed | Skateboards, scooters, in-line skates |
Construction | Concrete and Shotcrete |
Hours | Dusk until Dawn |
Lights | No direct lighting |
Fence | Yes |
Fee | No |
Phone | (718) 318-4000 |
Opened | 2011 then fully remodeled and opened in 2020. |
Design/Build | Spohn Ranch Skateparks |
Rockaway Beach Skatepark Overview
The Rockaway Beach Skatepark provides stunning scenery for skaters as it is on an island nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Some skaters have described the park as having a West Coast Venice Beach vibe due to where the park is located.
The park itself contains a long and narrow layout complete with several rails, hubbas, ledges, and curbs. There is also a long and winding snake run that has quickly become the highlight of the park.
The snake run is an excellent place for skaters to build up momentum, practice lip tricks, catch some front-side air, stick some hand plants, grind the coping, and transition out of the snake run into the street section.
The Rockaway Skatepark is designed for skaters of every level and skating style. It is recommended that beginners go earlier in the day to avoid larger crowds and to allow them some extra space to practice their skills.
The skatepark is open and accessible to skateboarders, in-line skaters, and scooter riders who wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and who sign a liability waiver provided by the Department of Parks & Recreation.
Individuals under the age of 18 who would like to use the park will need a signature from a parent or guardian before they can use the facility. Also, anyone under the age of 18 will need to wear wristguards in addition to all of the other required padding.
Another perk of the park’s location is that any skater looking to tear up the park only has to make a short commute from Brooklyn, Queens, or Long Island.
The Rockaway Beach Skatepark first opened in 2011, however, after Hurricane Sandy tore through the area in late October 2012, the park became greatly damaged. Many skaters still braved the semi-dilapidated skatepark and made the best out of an unfortunate situation, however, some serious repairs needed to be done.
It was then in March of 2015 that a design project headed by the Spohn Ranch team was commissioned by the New York Department of Parks and Recreation.
Construction began in September 2019 after more than 3.4-million dollars was secured to fund the project. The construction project lasted just over one year and was completed in October of 2020.