Some may remember Dixon’s skatepark, which was closed and torn down around 2003/2004 due to drug users and all sorts of stuff.

Well the Sterling Park District bought it and plopped it right back down in the exact configuration, one town over. The ramps were repainted, and rails and a small box were eventually added.

It is definitely in better shape than it ever was in Dixon, with smoother very smooth concrete and with a small amount dudes (who are either dedicated or being paid a lot) who come in and fix broken ramps from time to time. THE RULES:

-No pads

-Free

-Bikes/blades/boards/scooters/anything ARE allowed

-Open from early morning to 7-ish on weekdays, early morning to 5-ish on weekends

How Crowded? 3
Are pads required to skate?: no
Does it cost money to skate?: no
Park Contact:(815) 622-6200

-Of course, no drugs/no fighting (of course, happens anyways)
The skate park:

Obstacles include…

-5 foot pipe with spine. The spine is also 5 feet, which makes it a bit difficult to skate. The coping (for grinding) is very giant, but the pipe is still enjoyable.

-The other section. Which has:

-On one side: Two 6 Ft. quarters, split in the center by a small roll-in but connected above the roll-in by coping.

-In the center: A large box with a giant, mean grind rail in the center. The rail extends the entire length of the box, one end coming down straight and the other end kinked. The box has ramps going up both sides, on each end of the rail, with disconnected hips on each side.

-On the other side: One long, kinked quarter pipe, which is about 3 feet tall at the small end and 5 feet at the high end. Each end has maybe 5 feet of flat before the kink starts. The kink goes down for about 8 feet. 6 rails scattered around the outside of the ramps:

-A kinked flat bar

-A high flat bar

-A pole jam

-A small round rail

-A ‘rainbow’ rail

-A long, round (-shaped curved rail

-A metal grind box/manual pad next to the rainbow rail, with one end straight and one end curved. Crowd.

The skate park fluctuates from absolutely DEAD to swarming with small kids (and other skaters) on the most random schedule. I have been there on the nicest days and NOBODY has been there, and I have been there on the worst, bone-chilling and windy days and it has been packed! The local skaters (myself and peers) are all generally kind and welcoming. Don’t let the small kids give you any s .

Other stuff…

The skate park is fully fenced in, and they lock it when the recreation center next to it closes. There are four surveillance cameras, one in each corner, that the employees in the rec center can watch (they’re only monitors, they don’t record anything, and the dudes never watch the screen). Inside the spot are a small amount vending machines and a snack machine, a bathroom, and water fountain. A gas station and Subway are within walking distance.

Overall, The skate park isn’t too big, and possibly not definitely well worth every penny a trip unless you live in the area and get bored, but skating here can be tremendously enjoyable if you have a day to kill. It’s great for beginning/intermediate skaters, and experts will possibly have enjoyable too.