Do you realize that Tony Hawk turns 49 this year?  Back in the day, we didn’t have the X-Games, so we’d gather in parking lots to watch our friends perform ollies, kickflips, and 360’s. Skate parks are definitely a step above skating in a parking lot, the driveway, or the sidewalks, with their ramps, rails, fun boxes, and bowls. Skate parks are where the professionals learn new tricks and teens go to socialize with their friends in nice weather. Whether you skateboard, BMX, scooter, or inline skate, there are plenty of places to learn how to nail that new trick, or parents can embarrass the kids by attempting to skate as well.

Kids today have many more options, and in Lake County there are many skate parks where your kids can achieve new heights in skateboarding.

Please note, many locations are unsupervised; participation is at your own risk. Proper protective equipment, e.g. helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, etc. is strongly recommended.  Hours and policies may be subject to change at any time, visit the location website or call ahead before you go.

Skate Parks in North and Northeastern Lake County

Williams Park
741 Main St., Antioch | (847) 395-2160
Outdoors, unsupervised, open daily, dawn to dusk, FREE
Ramps, rails, and concrete surfaces will entice and challenge your skater at Williams Park. Afterwards stop by the Antioch Aquatic Center right on site to cool down.

Warren Township Skate Plaza & Trail
17801 W. Washington St., Gurnee | (847) 244-1101
Outdoors, unsupervised, open 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., FREE.
Bikes ONLY: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
Skateboards ONLY: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday

The Warren Township Center has both a skate plaza and a skating trail for community use. The skate plaza consists of 20,000 square feet of concrete and three bowls. The skating trail is a 600 linear foot concrete trail with ramps and rails.  The center also has a disk golf course for you to use if you need a break from skating.

The Haven
2200 Grass Lake Road, Lindenhurst | (847) 356-6011
Outdoors, unsupervised, open sunrise to sunset, FREE.
Located at Engle Memorial Park and Lippert Community Center and open for skateboarding, inline skating and BMX.  Closed December – March.  The design and name of this park were created by local youth who also assisted in obtaining a grant for its construction through The Department of Natural Resources. This is one of the few parks that allows BMX bikes as well as skateboards and inline skates.

Waukegan Skate Park
Bowen Park, 1815 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan | (847) 360-4700
Outdoors, unsupervised, closes at sunset. FREE.

The Waukegan Skate Park features three separate areas — one for  beginners, intermediate skaters and advanced skaters. There are 17,000 square feet of skate-able concrete. In addition there is a half-pipe, an elevated launch deck, vertical and grinding walls, ledge fun boxes and grinding rails for your skating pleasure.  While skateboards and inline skates are allowed, bikes and anything motorized are not allowed.  After dropping off your skater, stay with the younger siblings to play at Bowen Park  that was featured in our list of Jaw-Dropping Playgrounds; read Loralie’s review here for more details.

 Zion Skate Park
3309 21st Street, Zion | (847) 746-5500
Outdoors, unsupervised, open daily, dawn to dusk, FREE
Located at David Park in Zion, this small skate park is the perfect place to learn new skills.

Veteran’s Park
301 S. Rt 59., Fox Lake | (847) 587-2151
Outdoors, unsupervised, open daily from dawn to dusk, FREE.
Call the Village of Fox Lake for more information (phone number listed above).

Skate Parks in Central Lake County

Daniel Barry Memorial Skate Park
100 Library Lane, Grayslake | (847) 223-8515
Located across the street from the Grayslake Area Public Library
Outdoors, unsupervised, closes at dusk, FREE.

With its 7-foot tall start boxes with 12- to 18 foot wide ramps, this skate park is one that will soon become one of your skater’s favorites. Located near the public library and within walking distance of the Grayslake Aquatic Center, you can drop off your teen to skate, and then head for a splash in the pool right after to cool off.  The skate park is open for all ages and abilities, however no bikes are allowed.

Lions Field Skateboard Park
E. Noel Drive and Countryside Avenue, Mundelein | (847) 566-0650
Outdoors, unsupervised, 0pen daily from dawn to dusk, FREE

Newly redesigned and reopened in 2014, Lion’s Field Skateboard Park was built with industry-leading design by American Ramp Company. It features a large expanse of land, a skateboard park, and a horseshoe pit. All ages and abilities are welcome.

Robert W. Rolek Community Center
814 Hart Road, Round Lake | (847) 546-8558
Outdoors, unsupervised, closes at dusk, FREE.
Located behind the community center.  Call the Round Lake Area Park District for more information at the number listed above.

Round Lake Beach Skate Park
2041 N. Orchard Lane (Hook Drive and N. Orchard Lane), Round Lake Beach | (847) 546-8558
Outdoors, unsupervised, closes at dusk, FREE.
This skate park is in North Shore Park near the Teen Center, Child Development Center and Ranger Police Station.

Asylum Skate Park
29850 N. Skokie Hwy Unit B, Lake Bluff | (847) 578-5103
Indoors, visit Asylum Skatepark website for current admission fees and hours.
You can skateboard for FREE on your birthday and any girl on a skateboard is ALWAYS FREE!

Asylum Skate park was built in 2010 and is currently the only indoor skate park in Lake County. It looks like something straight out of a Tony Hawk video game, and is a great place for your tween or teen to go on a rainy day to learn how to master that kick-flip.  BMX bikes, scooters, roller skates, inline skates, and of course skateboards are allowed. Asylum Skate Park also offers camps, lessons, a full skate shop, and even “old man” skate hours just in case Dad wants to take up skating as well.

Skate Parks in Southern Lake County

Lagendorf Park – Bash Skate Park
235 Lions Drive, Barrington | (847) 381-0687
Outdoors, unsupervised, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., FREE.

The Bash Skate Park is located at Lagendorf Park which is also home to the Aqualusion Pool, batting cages, and indoor golf. Your tween will be entertained for hours at this park.

Mike Rylko Community Park Skate Park
1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove | (847) 850-2100
Outdoors, unsupervised, open daily 8:00 a.m. to dusk, FREE.
Located in the heart of Buffalo Grove, this skate park is one that your local skateboarder will love.

Deerfield Skate Park
836 Jewett Park Dr., Deerfield | (847) 945-0650
Outdoors, unsupervised, open dawn to dusk, FREE.

Located in Jewett Park near the corner of Deerfield and Waukegan Roads.  One of the first public skate parks in Illinois with 11,000 sq. ft. open to skateboarders and inline skaters.

Sunset Woods Skate Park
1801 Sunset Rd., Highland Park | (847) 831-3810
Outdoors, unsupervised, open dawn to dusk, FREE.

Located on the east side of Sunset Woods Park, this skate park is one that the whole family won’t mind tagging along to. Your skater can skateboard at the skate park while the rest of the family plays at the shady park that was featured in our list of Jaw-Dropping Playgrounds. The skateboarding area is unsupervised and no bikes are allowed in the park.  Check out Little Lake County’s review of Sunset Woods Park.

Paulus Park
200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich | (847) 438-5146
Outdoors, unsupervised, closes at dusk, FREE.
Call the Village of Lake Zurich Parks and Recreation office for more information (phone number listed above.) This is a great place to skate and then hang out at the beach.

Northbrook Skate Park1750 Techny Road, Northbrook | (847) 291-2960
Outdoors, unsupervised (children younger than 12 must be supervised by a parent), open daily from sunrise to 10:00 p.m., FREE.

With ramps, bowls, grinding ledges and rails, the 22,000-square-foot skate park welcomes skateboarders and in-line skaters of all ages and ability levels from beginning to advanced skaters. What is unique about this park is that there are lights available at night so there is no need to stop the fun when the sun goes down. Bikes are not allowed at this skate park, helmets are required, and children younger than 12 years old must be accompanied by a parent at all times.

Vernon Hills Skate Park
Sullivan Community Center Parking Lot, 635 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills | (847) 996-6800
Outdoors, unsupervised, open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., FREE.

This skate park is hidden in the Sullivan Center parking lot. I have been back there a few times and never knew it existed. The skate park features kicker wedges, quarter pipes, fun boxes, grind wheels, prison benches, half pipes, and more.  It was designed for skateboards and in-line skates only, and bikes are not permitted.

Editors note: Little Lake County Writer Loralie also contributed to this article.

Did we miss your tween’s favorite skate park? Tell us in the comments below.