Lauridsen Skatepark the Largest Open Park in the Nation
Opening on May 22, 2021, the Lauridsen Skatepark will be the largest open park in the nation. The skatepark is centrally located at the north end of the Principal Riverwalk next to the Des Moines River. The 88,000 square feet attraction will showcase Olympic caliber park and street courses. Thrilling features include a promenade, flow bowl, amoeba pool, snake run, and a skateable art piece entitled WOW.
First proposed by AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy) in 2004, the skatepark is on 2 acres of land donated by the city of Des Moines. Polk County is running the construction project, managed day to day by California Skateparks. The county will own the facility. Polk County Conservation, manager of the Lauridsen Skatepark, along with Catch Des Moines (the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau), Skate DSM (local non-profit), Subsect (local skateboard shop), and Polk County Iowa are excited to bring this new recreational, opportunity to Des Moines.
Philanthropists Nix and Virginia Lauridsen donated $1.6 million to lead fundraising. Leaders in the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the state’s Community Attractions and Tourism program also allocated hundreds of thousands of dollars for the project, which has drawn many local donations.
The facility is expected to draw many major events. Skateboarding was added as an Olympic sport for the Tokyo Olympics, which was delayed in July due to the coronavirus and now are scheduled for 2021.
Dew Tour Coming to Des Moines
Recently, the Adventure Sports Network Group announce its annual summer Dew Tour skateboard competition and festival is moving to Des Moines, Iowa, and will be held May 20-23, 2021 at the brand new Lauridsen Skatepark. The event will include World Skate sanctioned men’s and women’s skateboarding Street and Park competitions, serving as the only U.S.-based global Olympic skateboard qualifying events for 2021.
More than 300 of the world’s top male and female skateboarders will compete in individual Park and Street events for a chance to win the Dew Tour title while earning valuable points toward their country’s Olympic skateboarding team. As in the past, Dew Tour competitors exemplify the best in each sport.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic, details around hosting public spectators are being evaluated amongst Dew Tour, World Skate, and local and state event partners as it pertains to the safety and health of athletes, staff, and potential fans. More information surrounding this will be announced at a later date. Fans are asked to follow social media and the Dew Tour’s website to keep updated about the event.
Following the Dew Tour’s departure, the skatepark will be open from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. seven days per week free of charge. Skate DSM will be offering programs and clinics for the public. Keep up-to-date about these programs and other skatepark news by following Facebook and the Lauridsen Skatepark’s website at www.dsmskatepark.com.
