Oliver EvansIf you’re an avid skater, we’ve got great news! Vancouver is teeming with skate parks that cater to every age, skill level, and gravity-defying aspiration!
On this list, you’ll find everything from wide-open bowls and wicked half-pipes to jibs that’ll push your ollies, nollies, and everything in between. Let’s get rolling through the kick-flippin best skate parks in and around our beloved VanCity. So read on!
- The Plaza Skateboard Park
- Leeside Skatepark
- Kensington Skatepark
- China Creek Skateboard Park
- Mount Pleasant Park Skateboard Park
- UBC Skatepark
- Hastings Skatepark
- Kirkstone Skatepark
- Richmond Skateboard Park
- Strathcona skatepark
- Nick Volkow Skate Park
- The Courts – Skateboard Park
- Parkgate Skatepark
- Quilchena Skateboard Park
- Confederation Skatepark
The Plaza Skateboard Park
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/downtown-skateboard-plaza.aspx
Address: Quebec St & Union St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
The Plaza Skateboard Park showcases massive bowls, long rails, and inventive obstacles that are sure to get your heart pumping. It’s also a regular host for local skate events and competitions, so don’t be surprised if you run into some big names!
Skating codes are pretty chill here, with no over-the-top restrictions or anything( just the usual: exhibit good skate etiquette and watch out for fellow skaters).
| Pro tip: The park doesn’t offer any rentals, so don’t forget to bring your gear. Also, the nearby Railtown Café serves some killer sandwiches and is open till midnight, and it’s the bomb-diggity for a post-skate snack. |
Leeside Skatepark
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/leeside-tunnel-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: Cassiar Connector & East Hastings St and Highway 1, Vancouver, BC V5K 2C8, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Hidden underneath the Hastings Street Overpass, Leeside is a skateboarding mecca built by the community. It’s covered in stunning graffiti art and has all the bells and whistles—from curved wall rides to quarter pipes—that make it great for every skater.
Moreover, Leeside is always evolving, with new additions and alterations made over time by the skaters themselves. Just remember, it’s an unsanctioned park, which means there are no specific rules, but respect the space and the skaters.
| Pro tip: Rain or shine, Leeside’s got you covered, quite literally, thanks to the overpass. Oh, and there’s a McDonald’s just two blocks away for some quick grub. |
Kensington Skatepark
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/kensington-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: Knight St, Vancouver, BC V5P 3A2, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-718-6200
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Kensington Skatepark is a mix of both street-style and transitional platforms, including a dreamy flow bowl and clean-cut rails. This place is ideal for beginners and seasoned vets alike.
Some dos and don’ts while cruising Kensington: helmets are mandatory (especially for the youngsters), no bikes are allowed, and it’s strictly a dawn-to-dusk spot. No rentals again, so BYOB (bring-your-own-board).
| Pro tip: There’s plenty of street parking around, and it’s free. If you’re ravenous after all that shredding, check out the Italian Garden Pizzeria nearby for some tasty slices! |
China Creek Skateboard Park
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/china-creek-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: 1260 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5T 1Y7, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
China Creek Skateboard Park, or “China Banks,” as locals call it, is a little slice of skating history. One of the oldest in Vancouver, it makes up for its lack of modern design with heaps of nostalgic charm, especially with its classic big bowl.
This skate park might not boast super polished rails or perfect ledges, but it certainly has a sense of community that’s pretty hard to beat. Just keep in mind, it’s old-school, no staff, no rentals—just pure, unadulterated skateboarding.
| Pro tip: China Creek is open 24/7, so you can skate around the clock, but try to find parking on side streets, you’ll thank me later. The Basil Pasta Bar nearby offers some delicious carbs to reload after a day of skating! |
Mount Pleasant Park Skateboard Park
– Media credit: seanpettit
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/mount-pleasant-park-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: 3161 Ontario St, Vancouver, BC V5T 2Y9, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Mount Pleasant Skateboard Park takes things up several notches with something for everyone. It offers small bowls for beginners, street elements for intermediates, and a big, beautiful bowl for pros.
Now, I’m telling you, standard rules apply here, like sharing the space, no bikes, and remember, there’s no shame in sportsmanship. Plus, this spot does provide board rentals, so you’re sorted even if you’re travelling light!
| Pro tip: If you’re riding on a weekend, early mornings are blissfully less crowded. If you get peckish, make your way to “Burgoo Bistro” for some comfort food! |
UBC Skatepark
– Media credit: 1lanny
Website: https://skateparktour.ca/skateparks/ubc-skatepark-vancouver-bc/
Address: 6066 Thunderbird Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
UBC Skatepark is the University of British Columbia’s contribution to four-wheeled adventures. This place is a welcome respite from the halls of academia.
It serves up a fun blend of street and transitional features, with slick ledges, gaps, rails, and a nice little bowl thrown in for good measure. Helmets are recommended here, but not enforced, and there’s no rental available here; just show up with your board.
| Pro tip: Parking can be a pain on campus, opt for the Rose Garden Parkade or the West Parkade. And if you need to grab a bite, The Loop Cafe nearby is perfect for re-energizing yourself with a sandwich or sweet treat! |
Hastings Skatepark
– Media credit: gabz.gii
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/hastings-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: Renfrew St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Hastings Skatepark is located in a tropical paradise style alongside the PNE and Playland. This legendary spot has everything you could ever ask for—gnarly ramps, perfect rails, a mondo-sized bowl, and a sweet snake run to boot.
The rules here are pretty standard: be respectful, share the space, and no bikes are allowed. Rentals are a no-show, so BYOB (bring-your-own-board) is the way to go.
| Pro tip: Hastings Skatepark is open until 10 p.m., with abundant parking within the PNE grounds. Plus, just a few blocks away is the Red Wagon Café, which is known for its killer pulled pork pancakes! |
Kirkstone Skatepark
– Media credit: geoffgulevich
Website: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=124100440999523
Address: Kirkstone Park, Kirkstone Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3M5, Canada
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Situated in the lush Kirkstone Park, Kirkstone Skatepark has a perfect flow-oriented layout with a mix of street and park features. Oh, and let’s not forget the silky smooth surface, which makes for the perfect rolling experience.
Helmets are mandatory for anyone under eighteen. Plus, bikes aren’t allowed, and the park follows a first-light-till-dusk schedule.
| Pro tip: For parking, there is plenty of free street parking available nearby. Meanwhile, the epic Burgoo Bistro in Lonsdale is the go-to comfort food spot after a day of shreddin’ at Kirkstone! |
Richmond Skateboard Park
– Media credit: sarahnaomityrrell
Website: N/A
Address: 5360 River Rd, Richmond, BC V7C 1A1, Canada
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Richmond Skateboard Park, with its diverse set-up, promises tons of fun, whether you’re rockin’ the bowl or simply cruisin’ street-style. There’s a little bit of everything here, including hips, a halfpipe, stairs, and a super fun snake run.
When you’re rollin’, practice good skate etiquette, and give fellow shredders some room to do their thing. Richmond Skatepark enforces helmets ’til dusk, so gear up, or better yet, wear it all the time—safety first!
| Pro tip: Don’t forget to visit the nearby Tino’s Pizza for some seriously delish slices if hunger strikes after your skate sesh! |
Strathcona skatepark
– Media credit: tim.birchard
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/strathcona-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: 889 Prior St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2G9, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Located in the beloved Strathcona Park, this rad spot has something special. With a unique design, it offers a variety of fun elements—smooth ledges, a gap for manuals, and a mellow little bowl area that’ll make you feel like you’re skatin’ in paradise.
The vibe is ultra-chill here, so keep it friendly and cruise at your own pace. Strathcona Skatepark is open from dawn to dusk, but no bikes are allowed. Bear in mind that you’ve got to bring your wheels!
| Pro tip: Around the park, you’ll find a ton of free street parking. Now, the Finch’s Market Café is nearby to satiate your appetite, and frankly, their baguette sandwiches are out of this world! |
Nick Volkow Skate Park
– Media credit: mark_mtb
Website: https://www.burnaby.ca/things-to-do/outdoor-facilities/metro-skate-park.html
Address: 42 Central Blvd, Burnaby, BC, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-294-7450
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Friday – 8 AM to 4:45 PM
- Thursday – 8 AM to 8 PM
Burnaby’s own Nick Volkow Skate Park—a snug place slingin’ smooth lines and sharp inclines. Yeah, it’s not the biggest skate park, but it has earned bragging rights with its classic street setup boasting ledges, rails, and stair sets.
The park buzzes with vibes that are laid-back and inclusive, perfect for honing your skills or stretching your creativity. And, just like we like it, the rules are chill: helmets are recommended, no bikes, and be cool to other skaters.
| Pro tip: If your stomach starts growling in the middle of a skate session, hit up Pho Century Fine Vietnamese Cuisine for some pho-nomenal grub! |
The Courts – Skateboard Park
Website: http://www.britanniaskateboardcommittee.com/
Address: 1490 Venables St, Vancouver, BC V5L 4X6, Canada
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 6 AM to 10 PM
The Courts, squirreled away in Queensborough, New Westminster, is a true skateboarder’s haven. It’s got a sick spread consisting of rad manual pads, clean-cut ledges, quarter pipes, and a dreamy mini ramp.
This place is about chill vibes—riders carving lines at their own pace. It’s a first-light to last-light spot with balls-to-the-wall awesome amenities—lights for night skating, washrooms, and even a water fountain!
| Pro tip: Apart from the ample free parking lot, there’s a Tim Hortons nearby for your caffeine and snack fixes! |
Parkgate Skatepark
– Media credit: yvrbmxnight
Website: https://skateparktour.ca/skateparks/parkgate-skatepark-north-vancouver-bc/
Address: 3625 Banff Ct., North Vancouver, BC V7H 2Y4, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-983-6350
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 9 AM to 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 9 AM to 11 PM
Parkgate Skatepark in North Vancouver is nothing short of a spectacular dreamland. Nestled right by the Parkgate Community Centre, this joint features rails, ledges, stairs, and a sick mini ramp for some air-catching action.
You gotta bring your board here, as rentals aren’t in the picture. As usual, rules apply here: be a friendly rider, share the space, and no bikes on the sly!
| Pro tip: Street parking and an onsite lot make getting there easy. And to top it all off, the Bluehouse Market & Café nearby is perfect for a post-skate chill-out with a hearty sandwich or warming coffee! |
Quilchena Skateboard Park
– Media credit: therealjoedionbuffalo
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/quilchena-skateboard-park.aspx
Address: 1850 W 30th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 3A3, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 6 AM to 10 PM
Quilchena Skateboard Park in the gorgeous Quilchena Park strikes the perfect balance between a park and street-style setup, pumping up its appeal to riders of all stripes. Keeping the peace while shredding is key.
Here, well-rehearsed etiquette should be observed, and the place tunes down at 10 p.m. Unfortunately, board rentals also aren’t a thing, so show up with your trusty partner and get to riding!
| Pro tip: There’s lots of free parking available, and Minato Sushi nearby is an excellent spot to replenish your energy with some authentic Japanese cuisine! |
Confederation Skatepark
– Media credit: gojourneygo
Website: https://www.burnaby.ca/Things-To-Do/Outdoor-Facilities/Confederation-Skate-Park.html
Address: Penzance Dr, Burnaby, BC, Canada
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Confederation Skatepark is your go-to for an epic wrap-up session. Tucked in Confederation Park in Burnaby, this concrete wonder boasts a unique snake-run feature, along with quarter pipes, ledges, and rails.
Like anywhere else, respecting fellow skaters, no bikes allowed, and helmets for under-19s also apply here. It’s open all hours, but remember, there are no board rentals, so show up locked and loaded!
| Pro tip: Ample parking is available onsite, and for a well-earned meal after your session, try Cotto Enoteca Pizzeria for some of Burnaby’s best pizzas! |
