Carlsbad Skatepark
The Vision for the Past
Carlsbad Skatepark was the world’s first skateboard park, and now bulldozed. Despite efforts to purchase the land from the owner and officially establish it as the historic landmark that it is, it ultimately languished to the blade.
After closing in the late 70s, Carlsbad Skatepark’s lower snake run and bowl area was used as a fishing pond for a couple years before becoming the foundation for Mike McGill’s Skatepark, a collection of wooden ramps set around the two bowls. But the coveted mogul area of the old park remained buried on the bluff above the ramps.
Carlsbad Skatepark was built on the edge of the Carlsbad Raceway property, an off-road auto and motorcycle track and drag strip that operated for about 30 years. The area has long been ignored by developers, but with the eastward expansion of North San Diego County, the raceway and the old Carlsbad Skatepark property have been sold to a land developer that intends to grade and remove the raceway and skatepark.
Imagine—the first skatepark EVER resurrected and skateable for a whole new generation, as well as the older generations for whom this hallowed ground has existed only in mythology. Doh!
What we envisioned as the future of the World’s First Skateboard Park:
- Restoration of original park and designation as historic site.
- Addition of a modern street plaza and vert bowls around the original park.
- Skateboarding museum.
- An historic and educational interactive experience.
- Modern photo and art exhibits.
- Office space for skateboarding organizations (IASC, USA Skateboarding)
- Meeting/party facilities
- Theater area
- Pro Shop