The First All Access Skatepark, Watts Skatepark in LA is Now Open

Originally posted on TransWorld SKATEboarding
By Blair Alley | Last updated Feb 24, 2025 3:06 PM ET

This skatepark opening is huge for several reasons: Amid the delays in getting it built and opened, the skatepark was designed to accommodate adaptive skateboarding, "The delays, however, allowed the California Skateparks design team to include several adaptive-friendly features, making the skatepark more accessible to WCMX and other adaptive skaters. Thus, the 14,000-sq. ft. Watts Skate Park is the first All Access Skatepark, a design approach developed by California Skateparks that’s inclusive of adaptive skaters and WCMX athletes without impacting the park’s flow or skateability."—CA Skateparks

More below from a man who's dedication to opening skateparks around the world is second to none: Mr. Miki Vuckovich.

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A post shared by Miki Vuckovich (@mikivuckovich)

"Yesterday I got to celebrate a couple of major personal milestones with a bunch of my friends. It was really fantastic! I spent much of the past two years learning from some of the world’s top adaptive skaters and WCMX athletes about their experiences using skateparks—effectively skateparks that were not designed for them. It’s been illuminating and inspiring to hear their stories. Their input has resulted in the All Access Skateparks design philosophy, which includes adaptive athletes and their needs in the process of designing recreational skateparks. @small_wave incorporated the All Access approach in his design of the Watts Skate Park, which opened on Saturday. The park was well received by both traditional skaters (including some very discerning pros) and adaptive athletes. Which leads to my second milestone—the 15-year effort to get a skatepark in Watts. Some thought it would never happen. Some of us knew better! Persistence prevails."

Heartwarming, reassuring, and some gnarly Cordano Russell footage in there too!

This article first appeared on TransWorld Skateboarding and was syndicated with permission.

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