We got the kids skateboards this spring, and while they've been happy zooming down the small hill in front of our house, I know they're stoked by the possibility of learning some sick moves (mommy's been practicing her skater talk) at some of the skate parks near us. Here are some of the most exciting options we've scouted out for lessons, clinics, and other skating adventures in Fairfield County.
The Greenwich Skatepark at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park - Greenwich
is a safe and supervised facility for kids age 6 and over. They hold a Go Skate Festival in June. The park allows both skateboarding and inline skating and is supervised whenever the park is open. Skaters must wear full protective gear and children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older). Only Greenwich residents may buy annual memberships, but non-residents may register for camps and clinics. (The Go Skate Festival is open to non-residents as well.)
Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, 100 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT
Graham Dickinson Spirit Skate Park - Ridgefield
People of all ages are invited to join the fun at this park build in 1998 as a result of a grassroots effort to provide a fun place for skaters to congregate and socialize in a safe, friendly, and supportive environment. Annual memberships are available for purchase by both residents and non-residents, but daily drop-in passes are also available, as well as camps and clinics throughout the spring, summer, and fall. The park hosts its own Go Skate Day, which offers free admission for all skaters.
Graham Dickinson Spirit Skate Park, 60 Prospect Street, Ridgefield, CT
Jennings Beach Skate Park - Fairfield
There is no admission fee for this park right on the beach, but you must have a beach sticker (or pay the daily fee of $20 on weekdays and $50 on weekends) to park. The park is supervised and allows both skateboarding and inline skateboarding, but all skaters must wear helmets (while not required, elbow and knee pads are recommended).
Jennings Beach, 880 South Benson Road, Fairfield, CT
Compo Beach Skate Park and Roller Hockey Center - Westport
This supervised park on the beach is open to both Westport residents and non-residents for a fee. It offers rails, ramps, and two half pipes, as well as a blacktop area for those looking to learn to skate, children age 10 and under are required to have adult supervision and to wear helmets, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads. Older skaters who have an appropriate waiver on file do not have to wear wrist guards and elbow pads. Week-long camps that run from 9 am to 1 pm are available for kids ages 8 and up throughout the summer (see website for details).
Compo Beach Skate Park, 60 Compo Beach Road, Westport, CT
Scalzi Park - Stamford
This is the only no-fee skate park in Fairfield County with plenty of (also free) parking. Constructed in 2007, the park features ramps and several bowls. The skate area is gated during the winter and after wet weather, but it is not routinely supervised.
Scalzi Park, 100 Bridge Street, Stamford, CT
Skate Park at Calf's Pasture Beach - Norwalk
It's open from 8 am to 9 pm (weather permitting). Admission is free, but you must pay for parking if you do not have a beach sticker ($20 during the week; $25 on weekends; $5 after 5 pm). On Friday evenings during the summer, they host an open skate with a trick competition and a DJ from 4:30-9:30 PM. During the summer they also offer full and half-day skate camps where kids age 7 and up learn how to skateboard or inline skate (for information about registration visit the Parks and Recreation website.)
Calf's Pasture Skate Park, Calf's Pasture Beach Road, Norwalk, CT
Groton Skate Park - Groton
If you feel like making a day trip out of your skateboarding adventures, check out this park in Groton. Once named by Yahoo! as one of the best places to skateboard outdoors in Connecticut, the Groton Skate Park is free and open year round from sunrise to sunset. skaters can perfect tricks on flat bars, ramps, and bowls. During the summer, they offer a skateboarding camp (register through Groton's Department of Parks and Recreation) for kids age 6 and up.
Sutton Park 185 Fort Hill Road, Groton, CT
Originally published 5/14/15.