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The park has been designed not just as a recreational space, but as a serious training ground that can one day produce Olympic level skateboarders from Karnataka.
The skate park will be open to anyone over the age of five. Approximately forty skaters will be allowed inside the facility at a time to ensure safety and smooth movement. Image: Canva
Over the years, skateboarders in Bengaluru have been practicing wherever they can find space. Empty streets early in the morning, quiet corners of parks, unused parking lots.
Learned some tricks to avoid traffic. Others traveled far to private skate parks on the outskirts of town, paying hefty fees to spend a few hours on a proper ramp. That chapter is about to change.
By summer 2026, Bengaluru will have its first government-backed hybrid skateboarding park at Cubbon Park’s Balabhavan. Built at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, the park is being designed not just as a recreational space but also as a serious training ground that can one day produce Olympic-level skateboarders from Karnataka.
The skate park is the first of its kind for the state.
The skateboarding park is being developed jointly by Jawahar Balabhavan Society and the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports. Spread over half an acre within the Balabhavan complex, the facility will be Karnataka’s first public skate park of this scale.
What makes it special is its hybrid design. Traditionally, skate parks are built in two different formats – street and park. Due to space constraints, the Balabhavan facility will combine both styles into one compact but extensive skating area.
Officials say this model will allow skaters to train in different formats without having to move between locations.
What can skaters expect inside the park
The park section will include elements designed for aerial tricks and smooth transitions. It includes half quarter pipes, fun boxes, ledges, bowls, snake runs and even an empty swimming pool style structure with steep sides. These features are for skaters who want to practice grabs, spins and advanced maneuvers.
The street section will recreate an urban skating environment, featuring rail and ladder sets where skaters can work on technical tricks typically seen in street competitions.
Both areas aim to give young athletes exposure to the infrastructure used in international tournaments.
Who can enter and how will it work?
The skate park will be open to anyone over the age of five. Approximately forty skaters will be allowed inside the facility at a time to ensure safety and smooth movement.
Entry will be open only to those who want to skate. The park will not function as a hangout spot or viewing gallery. Only participants with skateboards will be allowed inside the skating area.
To make the place more accessible, Balabhavan management is planning to start skateboard rentals on an hourly basis. This means that beginners don’t have to invest in equipment right away.
The main focus will also be on training. Both online and offline coaching modules are being planned for beginners who want to learn skating from scratch. According to BR Naidu, president of Jawahar Balabhavan Society, separate charges will be applicable for park entry, training sessions and skateboard rentals. Exact charges will be announced closer to the opening.
Officials have assured that the price will be kept affordable so that children from different backgrounds can access the facility.
Why does this park matter?
Currently, there is no public skateboarding park in Karnataka. Some private facilities exist on the outskirts of Bengaluru, but poor transport connectivity and high fees have kept them out of reach of many young skaters.
Balabhavan, located in the heart of the city and well connected to public transport and metro, changes that equation. For the first time, a government-backed, centrally located training space in skateboarding will be open to all.
Sports officials believe that this could be a turning point for sports in the state.
A skateboard athlete said that if proper facilities were provided early, Karnataka could see Olympic level skaters emerging in the next fifteen years. He said similar parks should eventually be created in other districts to create a broader talent base.
A safe alternative to skating on city streets
Beyond sporting ambitions, the skate park also addresses a serious safety concern.
Currently, many youth practice skating on busy city streets, putting themselves at risk of accidents. Balabhavan Park aims to bring these enthusiasts in a controlled environment where they can train safely under supervision.
According to BR Naidu, the idea is to gather skateboard talents in one place, reduce the dangers of roadside skating and gradually create a structured pathway for those who want to take the sport seriously.
Opening deadlines and what’s coming next
Construction of the skate park is expected to begin by the end of this month. Officials say the facility will be ready for public use by April or May 2026, which coincides with the summer vacation period when student participation is expected to be higher.
For Bengaluru’s skateboarding community, this is more than just a new park.
This is recognition. The belief that their game matters. That their talent should get a place. And that the city is finally ready to transform street skaters into the champions of the future.
January 09, 2026, 16:30 IST
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