Lax Kw'alaams skatepark

Situated in the remote, coastal First Nations community of Lax Kw'alaams (historically known as Port Simpson) on the northwest coast of British Columbia, the Lax Kw'alaams Skatepark is a powerful community-driven recreational asset. The project was officially initiated by the Lax Kw'alaams Band Council in early 2022 as part of an aggressive update to the community's Physical Development Plan. Following extensive local surveys where youth highlighted a massive need for a dedicated, safe space to hang out and ride, the Band funded this custom concrete park to provide local children with a modern athletic outlet.

The design-build execution of this facility represents a highly specialized logistical effort, given the remote island-adjacent geography where all heavy machinery and concrete materials must be barged in from Prince Rupert. The initial community outreach, youth workshops, and architectural concepts were managed by New Line Skateparks, who designed the layout to reflect the preferences of local riders. The physical construction and complex concrete shaping were then executed by Transition Construction. Their specialized crew navigated the remote North Coast logistics to pour a durable, smooth concrete park engineered to handle the heavy coastal rain and seasonal weather patterns.

The layout functions as a compact, highly inclusive community "skatespot" engineered to optimize progression across multiple disciplines. Transition Construction poured a layout that seamlessly balances low-impact street obstacles with approachable transition features. The park includes a smooth perimeter flow containing quarter pipes, flat banks, a flat rail, and a series of custom-poured ledges. The spacing is deliberately kept wide and open to accommodate beginner and intermediate riders across all wheel types—including skateboards, scooters, and BMX bikes—allowing local youth to build up their skills safely in a localized environment.

The Lax Kw'alaams Skatepark is an outdoor, public concrete facility that is entirely free to ride. Because the layout was heavily influenced by beginner and intermediate community feedback, it is exceptionally approachable for young children and new riders across all wheel profiles. The park operates without dedicated night sports floodlights, restricting usage to daytime hours, and is located at 17 Finlayson Street in the village of Lax Kw'alaams, British Columbia.

TrucksandFins Tip: This is one of the most geographically remote public concrete skateparks in British Columbia, making it a highly unique spot to visit. If you are a traveling skater heading up to the North Coast, note that getting to Lax Kw'alaams requires taking the ferry or a vehicle barge out of Prince Rupert, so pack all necessary supplies, tools, and extra water for your session beforehand.

Photos courtesy of Transitionconstruction.