Venice beach skatepark

Venice Beach Skatepark, located at the iconic Venice Beach in Los Angeles, opened in October 2009 after decades of advocacy by the local skateboarding community. This 16,000-square-foot park was designed by renowned skatepark architect Zack Wormhoudt in collaboration with RRM Design Group and input from local Venice skaters, including notable figures like Christian Hosoi and Jesse Martinez. The park cost $3.4 million to build, with funding secured through the sale of surplus city property in Venice.

The skatepark, officially known as the Dennis "Polar Bear" Agnew Memorial Skatepark, features a variety of elements suited for skaters of all levels. These include a deep bowl, a snake run, and a street section equipped with stairs, rails, and ledges, offering a mix of old-school and modern skating environments. The design reflects Venice’s deep connection to the roots of skateboarding, particularly its ties to the "Dogtown" era of the 1970s when surfers transitioned to skateboarding.

Construction of the park took about 10 months, with the skatepark replacing a former, less formalized skate space. The current facility is celebrated as one of the few skateparks globally situated directly on the beach, making it a top destination for skaters from around the world. Since its opening, the park has become a symbol of Venice’s skateboarding culture, offering both a place for professionals and beginners to hone their skills in an inspiring setting​.

The park continues to be free and open to the public, with rules enforcing helmet and pad use for safety. Its development marked a significant win for the local skate community, which had lobbied for years to create a safe and dedicated space for skateboarding​.

Photos courtesy of Octavio Scholz