A skatepark, often known as a skate park, is a recreational area designed specifically for skateboarding, BMX, scooter, wheelchair, and aggressive inline skating. The first official skate parks were built in California in the 1970s. They were intended not only as places where people could skate, but also as social centers where locals could meet up and share knowledge. Today, there are more than 100 skate parks across the United States. Canada has several too. In fact, one of the largest skateboarding communities in the world is out west in Vancouver, British Columbia. There are even a few in Europe! The appeal of skateparks is that they're easy to use and accessible to anyone who wants to try it out. There are usually no barriers between riders and their surroundings. This means kids can go wheeling around the park like their parents did when they were young, without worrying about falling over or getting hurt. Also worth mentioning is the community aspect. People come together in skate parks to have fun, hang out, and take part in events. Some cities have organized weekly or monthly pickup games where players sign up online or through word of mouth. These are called "pickup jams" and they're a great way to make new friends while having some fun in an outdoor setting.