Oxhey Skatepark (Watford) — Attraction in Watford

Clearly a lot was invested in this skatepark. It's unique in the UK in the sense that it has individual areas that could be considered separate skateparks in themselves a lot like modern American skateparks today. I like it but it's not as amazing as it looks as it comes down a lot to the actual design. For example there are no low (or flatbar) rails to be found, the transition in the skateparks is too steep and a lot of the parts in each zone are repetitive, the two stair sets they do have is a long 4 with little runup.

My biggest issue with this park is their decision to put a kids play park IN THE MIDDLE Of IT. What does this mean? Well it means you get a tonne of toddlers running around skateparks that can put themselves in danger because they simply don't look around.

Let's breakdown the individual skatepark areas: The closest skatepark to the cafe that has a mellow skatepark with a mini.

Pro: • Mini is good

Con: • Flow encourages scooter kids to circle around the mini constantly • Area with half a manual pad could be better utilised

Jump ramps with big quarter at the end Pro: • Bmx'ers have a space 🤷‍♂️

Con: • Transition too steep • Top of launch ramp too long for anything but bikes

Retro style snake area Pro: • Pump track so you can flow around without pushing which is fun

Con: • Constantly populated with scooter kids

Plaza Pro: • Nice surfacing work • Lots of ledges • Another manual pad (this one makes more sense)

Con: • Ledges all basically same height • Long 4 set with no runup • One side should have a lower flatbar rail and hubba • Granite benches on the sides make general public think they are for sitting

Transition skatepark Pro: • I have none

Con: • Least used skatepark out of the lot because the transition is too steep. I will literally come to oxhey and rarely skate this. Mellowing out the transition on this would make a...

A top notch facility. A really nice area, that's purely for skating/skates/bikes/scooters etc. Huge area with multiple different skate areas in the same space. A good pump track /snake run, with a bowl of sorts in the middle. There's a fun box area, which seems to keep scooters mostly out of the way. Now, the reason I wanted to go here, was the slab plaza, which was reminiscent of a lot of modern city centres. A flat bank either end of the park with one side also having stairsets, hubbas and handrails. At the centre is a raised area with marble blocks which grind really nicely. Marble benches on one side and a super long marble ledge on the other.

There's even an on site cafe, which has a beginners park right outside of it. Perfect for newer skaters, or the smaller kids. On site WiFi, a water fountain. Pretty much all bases covered.

The only downside is that the parking area is tiny, and does fill up quite quickly. Also, it's a paid car park, but tbh, I expect that for somewhere thats had the investment that this park has, and I don't mind for that reason. Its not particularly expensive.

Alternatively, there's a retail park nearby...

Great skating facility, well...

Wow wat an amazing skatepark for all ages and standards. Defo the best skatepark we have been to in a while. We have gone to many!! Theres cheap parking with 1st hour free. A cafe, toilets with bany changing. Plus a river and grounds to walk in. Lots of shade and seating. Plus an adventure playground in the middle as well. It literaly caters for eveyone. This will be a regular for us now we have found it. Well done Watford Counsil. Wicked job on this park!! Well worth a visit if u want to scoot, skate, bike, skaeboard, rollerskate or ride on little trucks. Suits all ages. Go see, take a picnic and wear the kids out for s few hours while you chill and watch them having fun. Oh and parking machines take cash as well as paying online with Ringo. They thought of...