Kanis DIY skatepark

The Kanis Skatepark is a renowned DIY skatepark located in Little Rock, Arkansas, at Kanis Park Road, Little Rock, Arkansas AR 72204. Established in the late 1980s, it began with the construction of a deep peanut-shaped bowl, one of the earliest city-sanctioned skateboard structures in the area.

Starting around 2006, local skateboarders, inspired by the DIY skatepark movement exemplified by parks like Burnside in Portland, Oregon, began adding features to the existing bowl. This grassroots effort led to the creation of various obstacles, including quarter pipes, ledges, and banks, transforming Kanis into a dynamic skateboarding venue. In 2016, with a $150,000 grant from the Coca-Cola Company, the skatepark underwent a significant expansion. Hunger Skateparks collaborated with the local skate community to add approximately 9,000 square feet of new terrain. This addition introduced a continuous line of corner pockets, hips, long straight walls, a love seat morphing into a spine, a volcano, a two-level tractor seat, and a steep, curved bank wall known as 'The Throne.' The design harmoniously integrated with the existing DIY zone and historic bowl.

The Kanis Skatepark is maintained by a dedicated group of local skateboarders known as the Kanis Crew. Operating without a formal structure or corporate entity, they have formed a partnership with the city of Little Rock to oversee the park's development and upkeep. Their efforts have transformed Kanis into an inclusive space where individuals from different walks of life engage in various activities, including skateboarding, playgrounds, pickleball, and walking paths.

The skatepark hosts the Kanis Bash, an annual fundraising event featuring live music, art, merchandise, skateboarding demonstrations, and food. This event supports the maintenance and further development of the park, fostering community spirit and engagement.