Celebrate Go Skate Day at one of these Triangle area skateparks.
Once considered a pastime for rebels and derelicts, sports like skateboarding, BMX biking and inline skating are becoming more popular among teens and young adults, as well as some adults. So in honor of Go Skate Day, which occurs on June 21, throw on a helmet and some knee pads and check out these local skateparks in the Triangle area where you can learn to ollie or practice your kick flips.
Sk8-Cary
Managed by the town of Cary, Sk8-Cary is located in Robert V. Godbold Park and can accommodate skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX bikers. This expansive park features a 12,000-square-foot street course, ramps, a pro shop, concession area and a covered viewing area. For safety reasons, bikers and skaters can’t use the facilities at the same time, so make sure to check Sk8-Cary’s website to view the complete schedule. Fees to use the park vary and generally depend on whether or not the user is a resident of Cary or a member of the park, but expect to pay around $10.00 per session if you’re not a member.
Where: 2040 Northwest Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27513
Wheels Family Fun Park
A veritable all-in-one park, the 8.5-acre Wheels Family Fun Park has a skatepark that welcomes bikers, rollerbladers and skateboarders. Here, you’ll find a mini half-pipe and a street course with rails, spines and other obstacles. Patrons can also enjoy go-karts, miniature golf, batting cages, video games, a snack bar and Internet. Admission is $5.75 for a two hour session or $7.00 for an all-day pass.
Where: 715 North Hoover Road, Durham, NC 27703
The Factory Skateboard Park
Owned and operated by Delicious Skateboard Shop, the Factory Skateboard Park offers 25,000 square feet of skateable space and includes an outdoor concrete park that includes a variety of challenging obstacles like manual pads, ledges, a snake run and bowl. The indoor skate area features two separate areas, one downstairs for advanced skaters, which features a bank, pyramid, six-foot and nine-foot ramps and a seven set stair with a handrail, as well as one for beginners, which includes three-foot banks and quarters, a three set stair, manual pad and ledges. Admission is $8.00 for non-members.
Where: 1839 S. Main St., Building 500, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Chapel Hill Skatepark by Vertical Urge
Located in Chapel Hill’s Homestead Park, the Chapel Hill Skatepark is also the home of the Vertical Urge pro skateboarding shop, where you can pick up the latest gear. Admission to the park is $7.00 for Orange County residents and $8.00 for non-residents.
Where: 100 Northern Park Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Project 58
If you want to skateboard but can’t stand the summer heat, head to Project 58, an indoor skatepark with 10,000 square feet of climate-controlled space. Once you’ve burned off some calories, cool off in the arcade, concession stand or at the espresso bar. You’ll also find a 7,000-square-foot Vertical Urge skate shop at this location.
Where: 7409 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
Photo credit: iStockphoto/Dizzo
