Penn Valley skatepark facts for kids
The Penn Valley Skatepark is a cool place in Kansas City, Missouri, where people can skateboard. It's also known as the Kansas City Skate Plaza. This is because it looks a lot like a "plaza-style" skatepark, which means it has features like stairs, ledges, and rails, similar to what you'd find in a city square.
The skatepark first opened in late 2005. Since then, it has hosted many exciting events. Companies like Escapist Skateboarding, Zero Skateboards, Circa Shoes, and Toy Machine have held awesome skateboarding demonstrations here.
What Makes the Skatepark Special?
When it first opened, the Penn Valley Skatepark wasn't fully finished. The city had big plans for a much larger park, but they ran out of money. The original budget of $380,000 wasn't enough to build everything they wanted.
Even so, the park was still a great place to skate. It quickly became one of the most popular skateparks in Missouri. People from both sides of the Kansas border often visit because it's easy to get to.
Good news! The park is now completely finished. This happened thanks to a generous donation from professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his Street League Skateboarding organization.
Exploring the Park's Features
The skatepark has different areas for all kinds of skaters. On the east side, there's a "Street Course" or Plaza. This area has three smaller ramps that lead into one larger ramp. It's perfect for practicing street tricks.
The southern part of the park has a set of stairs and a small, foot-tall square rail. This was the area that was once unfinished, but now it's ready for action.
The most amazing part of the park is on the west side: the Bowl. This Bowl is super cool! It starts at 6 feet deep and then drops down to a deeper end that's 9 feet deep. The Bowl is built really well, with real concrete pool coping and tiles on one side.
This deep Bowl attracts "old-school" skateboarders. These are skaters from the 1970s and 80s who loved bowl skating. They bring a unique style that you don't often see in today's skateboarding.
Where is the Skatepark Located?
The Penn Valley Skatepark is part of a larger area that also has tennis courts and a basketball court. It offers amazing views of Downtown Kansas City.
The park is right next to the parking lot of One-Park Place. This is a very famous building that stands out in the Kansas City skyline. The park is also close to Penn Tower.
The skatepark sits on the same grassy hill as the famous Kansas City Scout Statue. From the park, you can see other important landmarks like the Liberty Memorial and the Federal Building.
