Skatepark Cities – Liverpool Our newest entry in the skatepark series highlights Liverpool. Known for The Beatles, a vibrant football scene, and numerous bars and clubs, Liverpool also boasts a lively skate culture.
Liverpool is a central hub for northern skating and has been the birthplace of numerous skilled skaters over the last twenty years. Among them, Geoff Rowley stands out as the most renowned, often considered the Godfather of Liverpool's skateboarding community.
Rowley's fame rose to such heights that a trick was named in his honor: The Rowley-Darkslide. It's a twist on a darkslide, where the back foot is placed inside the truck throughout the slide. It looks something like this:
If you aim to follow in Rowley's footsteps and explore where he developed his skills before winning the prestigious Thrasher Magazine's Skater of the Year award in 2000, Liverpool's skateparks are your destination. Here are our top recommendations.
1. Evertro - Everton Park
Initially, Everton might resemble a glowing volcano nestled inside Everton Park. Actually, it’s the first glow-in-the-dark skatepark in the UK. It opened on October 5th, 2015, and stands as a piece of permanent public artwork created by Korean artist Koo Jeong A, in partnership with local skaters and Wheelscape Skateparks.
Open to all skaters and BMX riders, it blends skating and BMX elements with a minimalist design. The park merges familiar skating forms with new sculptural elements, creating a novel and stimulating space for experimentation – nothing else like it exists in Liverpool or the UK. According to the artist, it has something for everyone, including "extremely steep, sharp angles, which would be a challenge to the most courageous and skilled skaters." It truly needs to be seen to be appreciated.
• Opening times: Unsupervised access 24 hours a day
• Charge: Free
• Address: Everton Park, Prince Edwin Street/ Roscommon Street, Liverpool, L5 3NG
• Website: https://www.biennial.com/collaborations/wheels-park
2. Otterspool Skatepark
Referred to as a "sporting haven for skateboarders," Otterspool is a new skatepark in Liverpool.
More than 1,000 young individuals were consulted to determine the needs for the £185,000 park, which is designed as a dedicated facility for developing skating skills. Built around a tree positioned atop a circular transition, Otterspool offers plenty of fun. This state-of-the-art park includes various ramps and slides within a concrete bowl. There are numerous transitions on one side, with street features on the opposite side.
Primarily designed with children in mind, it's an excellent place to learn the basics. It also hosts competitions for schools and youth organizations. If you're eager to learn, there's no better place than Otterspool.
• Opening times: Unsupervised access 24 hours a day
• Charge: Free
• Address: Otterspool Park, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 5AR
• Website: http://liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-events/parks-and-greenspaces/otterspool-park
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3. Rampworx Skatepark
Rampworx opened its doors in 1997. Spanning 70,000 sq ft., it’s the largest indoor skatepark in the UK. It features a street section, transition section, a bowl, and a foam pit, offering something for everyone.
The transition section occupies the main room, covering over 40,000 sq ft. It’s divided into areas, allowing you to visit the jump box section, focus on grinds, or explore the space dedicated to funboxes, flat banks, and step ups. The bowl is one of the biggest in the UK and is divided into three depths. Beginners can start at 5ft, while advanced skaters can enjoy up to 9ft of adrenaline-pumping excitement. For those seeking more height, there's a 1ft vert extension in the deepest part of the bowl.
The street section, also known as “the backroom,” offers a wide range of obstacles for skaters of all skill levels. It's a great option if you prefer a quieter skate away from the busier areas. The park also boasts the UK’s largest foam pit. It has three entry points: a large ramp at the front, a quarter pipe on the left, and a roll-in on the right. It’s a safe place to practice any trick.
Seeing really is believing at Rampworx, and there's nothing else like it in the UK, so make sure to visit.
• Opening times:
o Tuesday to Friday: 4pm-10pm
o Saturday and Sunday: 10.30am-7.00pm
• Charge:
o Membership is required but free.
o Tuesday to Friday: €6.50 for 2 hours / €7.50 for the whole day
o Saturday and Sunday: €7.50 from 10.30am to 12.30pm / €8.50 from 12.45pm to 3.45pm / €8.50 from 4pm to 7pm / €12 for the entire day
o Weekly Pass €23
o Opening hours may differ during school holidays.
• Address: Rampworx Skatepark, 1-3 Leckwith Road, Netherton, Liverpool, L30 6UE.
• Website: http://rampworx.com
4. Knowsley Leisure Centre Skatepark
Knowsley Leisure Centre Skatepark is a vast outdoor skatepark with a transition area and a multi-level plaza-style street section. The bowl area features a lengthy bowl with varying depths and vert extensions, while the opposite side opens up to the street section. Another part of the park includes a kidney-shaped old-school pool, complete with concrete pool coping. Where the pool opens, you’ll find a small transition section with a flat bank, rollover, and a very tall vert wall. Knowsley is the largest outdoor park in Liverpool and offers a lot of fun for skaters. It attracts people from far and wide due to its incredibly smooth concrete.
• Opening hours: These vary, but you can find a complete list here.
• Fee: €4 per session. Alternatively, become a member for €6 annually and enjoy the skatepark for just €1.15 per session.
• Address: Longview Drive, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 6EG
• Website: n/a
5. New Bird Skatepark
New Bird Skatepark is a significant part of Liverpool’s cultural heritage and the northern skating scene. This DIY concrete skatepark was constructed by local skateboarders in 2010. The local council has attempted to sell the land several times, but local skaters have successfully resisted the proposals. It includes bowled corners, pump bumps, float banks, hips, and grind bars, as well as open-sided bowls. While it may not offer the smoothest ride or the most challenging course, its significance makes it worth visiting.
• Opening hours: Unsupervised access is available 24 hours a day.
• Fee: Free
• Address: New Bird Street/ Jamaica Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 0AF
• Website: n/a
From world-renowned skateboarders to local DIY skatepark projects, Liverpool offers something for everyone. Be sure to explore some of these incredible spots.
Image courtesy of iStock.