Safety

• Skate parks provide a safe, controlled environment for children to use their skateboards. Kids who skateboard in the street are at risk of being injured by street traffic and may cause injury to others. Unskilled skateboarders can be seriously hurt if they fall in areas that are inappropriate for skateboarding. Additionally, skateparks often have requirements for use which includes the use of helmets, knee and elbow pads and proper shoes. Kids who skateboard on their own may not be as likely to wear protective gear.
  
  

Avoiding Property Damage

• Kids who have a passion for skateboarding will use any available surface for their activities. Those surfaces might include low concrete and marble structures in office parks, public benches, public buildings and playgrounds, which are not built to withstand heavy skateboard activity. Concrete and marble can chip and crack under the abuse of steady continuous impact from skateboard wheels, requiring extensive and costly repair.
  
  

Learning and Practice

• Skate parks offer children who are seriously interested in learning to skateboard or those who want to improve their skateboard skills an appropriate environment in which to learn and practice. Well-planned skate parks provide structures for both experienced and novice skateboarders. Skate park managers may also offer coaching and training classes from professionals.
  
  

Community Building

• Skateboarders with access to designated skate parks have the opportunity to meet other local kids interested in the sport. Shared activities build and strengthen friendships. In addition, skate parks provide a place for skateboard enthusiasts to enjoy the activity without disruption from those who object to the noise and constant motion of energetic skateboarders. Skate parks may sponsor special events and competitions as well.