Longboarders and skateboarders are becoming more and more popular, cruising around the city’s parks, cycling paths, and winding streets. You won’t believe how active the skateboarding community is in Amsterdam. Every sort of skater can find a place here, from dedicated bowl skaters to inline and street skaters. Continue reading for the best skateparks in Amsterdam, including Roller Dream, Zeeburgereiland, Skatepark NOORD, and more.
A Brief History Of Skateparks
The popularity of the sport is shown throughout skatepark history. Skatepark entrepreneurs built retail skateparks in the 1970s as urethane wheels increased skateboarding’s popularity in order to profit from the sport’s expansion. Few sites could match the distinctive terrain provided by these facilities, and skaters appeared content to pay for access to them. The majority of the sector was dominated by commercial skateparks. However, there were a few free outdoor “skate runs” throughout the nation. Everyone agreed that skateparks were “pay-to-play” establishments.
A flood of liability lawsuits in the late 1970s forced insurance underwriters to place more stringent limitations on the types of claims they would accept. Skateparks had, up to that moment, only been modest businesses with meager resources, and as insurance costs increased, they had to close. In 1980, there were only a few skateparks remained in the nation. Skateboarders used the streets to practice their stunts.
Skateboarders also turned their enthusiasm for ramp construction. In little time, skaters were erecting concrete structures in abandoned neighborhoods and backyards. They banded together and established credibility in order to defend their advancements. They established businesses that built and designed skateparks. Almost all of those businesses are still operating today.
Municipalities started to appreciate the usefulness of public skateparks and the advantages they had for young people. Cities resorted to skateparks as a solution as skaters continued to cause a nuisance by grinding ledges across the town.
As the number of public skateparks grew across the nation, new businesses saw an opportunity to profit from the expansion in the sector. The “terrain artistry” of skating terrain was experimented with by landscape architects. At the same time, playground equipment manufacturers created ramp-style products that they could sell to towns alongside their jungle gyms and swing sets. Small skateboarder-run skatepark businesses failed to compete without substantial marketing expenses. As they emphasized the need for only experienced enterprises with established portfolios to be qualified to develop their local skatepark, skateboarders themselves served as the impetus for good change. Their cities took note, and over time, an increasing number of top-notch skateparks were built.
Today, almost all of the greatest skatepark design and construction firms in the world work with a landscape architect who also skateboards. Only a few ramp-style businesses are still operating, and no playground businesses are involved in any significant way. The moment is right for skateparks!
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Skateparks In Amsterdam
Skatepark near Olympiaplein, Amsterdam
Olympiaplein is one of the most well-liked skating locations in the Netherlands, largely because of its sizable, open space and its varied collection of ramps and rails that are appropriate for skaters of all skill levels, from beginners to specialists. There is a lot of level ground, as there is throughout the Netherlands as a whole. The park also offers a super-smooth surface, which is ideal for practicing tricks before applying them to the death box.
At Olympiaplein, there is an evident sense of community; you frequently see skaters of various ages and backgrounds skating together, exchanging tips and tricks, and generally having fun. This is what skateboarding is all about. Skateboarding is one of the friendliest and most inclusive sports, and Olympiaplein’s vibe wonderfully captures this idea.
Urban Sports House
The Amsterdam skate scene is greatly improved by the presence of the House of Urban Sports. You can continue skating here no matter what the Dutch weather has in store for you. This area’s smooth wooden floor is ideal for stunt steppers, BMX riders, inline skaters, and skateboarders. There are numerous opportunities for seamless transitions between the launch and street areas and onto the tiny ramp, regardless of your speed or skill. Urban Sports House is much to do here on the half-pipe and two-quarter pipes, the grind box, and the rail, even though there isn’t a ton of space. There are inline skating classes available in addition to a super session that takes place every Thursday with a different sport featured each week. Tired? To keep going, refuel in the cafeteria next door.
Nelson Mandela Park
One of the biggest skateparks in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area is located at Nelson Mandela Park (formerly Bijlmer Park). The park’s two vibrant pools are its main draws; the smaller one is 5’9 (1.8m) high, while the larger one has a coping that slopes from 5’9 (1.8m) to 7’9 (2.4m). Because the pools are so close to one another, you occasionally see the more daring skaters—and more frequently the BMXers—transfer between them. A form of street skating area is also present in Nelson Mandelapark, with a variety of banks, hubbas, and rails that are accessible to both beginners and experienced skaters. For those skaters who just skate the streets, this short bit of roadway breaks up the park well. At the park’s entrance, there are a few stair sets with handrails, although they are too big for the average skater and more resemble the kind of barrier Luan Oliveira would throw himself down in a Street League Super Crown.
Skatepark NOORD in Amsterdam
Unquestionably, one of the most popular hangouts in the city is Skatepark NOORD. This park, which is truly geared toward skateboarding and has plenty of open space to capture the spirit of the city, is unlike others that try to appeal to a wider audience. Skatepark NOORD is a park indoors with concrete that is smooth but not slick. Obstacles are made from actual roadway components, right down to the materials. For instance, the LOVE Park trashcans in Philadelphia and the MACBA ledges in Barcelona are only a couple of the renowned urban designs that the park significantly references.
The flow is significantly superior as a result of the park’s meticulous attention to detail. Tricks may be performed all over the place thanks to the abundance of ledges, rails, steps, and tiny ramps. The wheelie table and ledge’s height adjustability makes it even more unique and ensures the kind of uniquely customized experience that is hard to come by. Skate on the replica “synagogue rails” of Miami and take a break at the pizza place right next door. On occasion, the skatepark also hosts special BMX evenings.
CONS Project Amsterdam
Converse granted the Amsterdam creative community, including skateboarders, painters, and photographers, the chance to DIY-build a special skatepark in the Amsterdam Noord neighborhood through CONS Project Amsterdam. Boy, did they deliver: the park is a beautifully built concrete walkway lined with a variety of kickers, quarter pipes, and transfers. It was inspired by Holland’s back gardens and “The Wizard of Oz.” There are several ramps and gaps that are excellent for beginners, but there are also more difficult obstacles for more seasoned skaters.
The kicker gap, which has a wrecked automobile in between the kickers, is evocative of the opening stages from the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games. However, the DIY-style obstacles that give this park an opulent vibe continue there as well. Examples include a shipping container that only the bold dare to stall on and a garage-like shelter for those rainy Amsterdam days. Overall, there is something for everyone in this park. It’s worth a trip, even if you’re not into skateboarding or extreme sports, to see what the local creative culture in Amsterdam is capable of, both visually and in terms of skateboarding prowess.
The largest skatepark in the Netherlands is Urban Sport Zone Skatepark Zeeburgereiland
Enter Skatepark Urban Sport Zone Zeeburgereiland, one of Europe’s largest outdoor skate parks and the largest in the Netherlands. 3100 square meters of concrete offer lots of bowl skating-friendly zones where you may let go. Skaters of all skill levels will enjoy the terrain, but keep an eye out for kids riding scooters who may suddenly become a hazard.
Skatepark Zeeburgereiland is also a street zone. However, Skatepark Zeeburgereiland is much smaller and might not be enough if you don’t like swimming pools. The elevated platforms allow for easy transitions from the roadway to the park’s river and pool areas. Stan Postmus came up with the idea for the Skatepark Zeeburgereiland, created by the Danish firm Glifberg+Lykke and meant for skateboarders, BMX riders, and inline skaters.
SkateCafe
You’ve spent the entire day wreaking havoc on the city’s skate parks, so now you want to unwind a little. Don’t worry; Noord’s SkateCafe is the ideal rest area for skaters. The SkateCafe checks off all the skate-friendly requirements. There isn’t a finer place for skaters to unwind than this.
Roller Dreams
Roller Dream is one of the best places for skaters in Amsterdam. Wondr’s newest shimmering pop-up roller skating rink is the perfect location if you’re seeking a good dance floor and skating combination. Bring out your flared jeans, lace on your skates, and demonstrate your prowess while the DJ spins dance music in Roller Dream. Let’s spend your weekend going to the Roller Dream.
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