Chances are your child has expressed interest in doing something dangerous. Most kids do. But of all the dangerous things that a child could be doing, skateboarding is one of the more constructive: It improves stability and balance, takes patience and repetition and there is nobody to blame when something goes wrong but yourself.
From a gimmicky hobby that was chastised as a trend to being an integral part of the 2024 Summer Olympics, skateboarding has spread far and wide. Though it has its risks, skateboarding can be done responsibly with proper safety measures. Here is a list of the top five skateparks in the Pittsburgh area for kids who want to start shredding from square one.
McKinley Skatepark
McKinley is unfortunately a little worse for the wear after many decades of use, but that doesn’t mean it’s useless. The good news is that most of that damage affects the park’s more expert features, leaving lots of open (while admittedly not A1) pavement for everything from figuring out if you stand goofy (right foot forward) or regular (left foot forward) to pushing to throwing down your board. Starting here will give you a chance to catch skaters of other skill levels in action, make some friends and have a little bit of room to yourself to get started.
Switch and Signal Skatepark
Switch and Signal has some of the best facilities in the region and is a hotspot for some of Pittsburgh’s best skating talent. Staff also have lots of experience working with beginners, though. Whether you are asking for a tip from a staff member or signing up for a beginner class, Switch and Signal will help you blossom into whatever skater you want to be. It can be easy to be intimidated by someone doing a trick you can’t even fathom, but that’s one of the best parts about skateboarding: Generally, it’s a very welcoming sport.
Polish Hill Bowl Skatepark
As another one of the oldest parks in Pittsburgh, Polish Hill Bowl park has been around forever, and there’s a reason it’s still standing. With a mellow, shallow bowl in the middle of the park, it’s the perfect place for rookies to practice dropping in and pumping. The park also has a variety of wedges, curbs and banks for those who are ready to test their street skills. The park is free, open to the public and easily accessible, but there isn’t much parking or a bathroom nearby. All-in-all, if you have learned to push off, turn and slide to a stop and want to spend some time learning to drop in, this is the place to do it.
Sheraden Skatepark
Sheraden Skatepark is ideal for a family that is already spending a day at the park and wants to give skateboarding a try. Sheraden Park, south of McKees Rocks, is a great spot for a day trip or just a morning or afternoon, and part of that is because of its diverse offerings. The skatepark at Sheraden is as classic as it gets, with well-worn features and plenty of skaters cruising around on a nice day. If you’re just looking for clean pavement and a handful of other things to do if your skateboarding plan falls through, try Sheraden.
Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark
Pitcher Park, like Polish Hill, has a bowl, however this one is larger, more varied and newer. If your little skater has progressed to the point of trying a gradual slope, like the one on a bowl, this is a great place to try their hand at the new challenge. It can get crowded, but that can be a good thing, too. Camaraderie and mutual instruction are crucial elements of skateboarding, even if it is an individual sport! Plus, if they happen to progress rapidly, there are lots of good moderate features here, too.
