Cubbon Park in Bengaluru Set to Host Karnataka’s First Government Skate Park

Jawahar Bal Bhavan in Bengaluru is set to establish an international-standard skateboarding park aimed at grooming athletes from Karnataka for Olympic-level competitions. The hybrid facility will come up inside Cubbon Park on nearly half an acre of land at an estimated cost of ₹1.5 crore and is expected to open by April or May 2026.

The project will mark Karnataka's first government-owned public skateboarding park. Currently, skateboarders rely largely on a few private facilities located on the outskirts of the city, where high fees and poor public transport limit access. Officials say the centrally located Bal Bhavan campus, with metro and bus connectivity, will significantly improve accessibility for users.

Due to space constraints, planners have opted for a hybrid design that merges two internationally recognised competition formats-Street and Park-into a single integrated skating area. This layout will allow skaters to practise both styles in one session instead of moving between separate zones.

The Park section will include half and quarter pipes, bowls, ledges, a fun box, a snake run and a structure inspired by an empty swimming pool with steep walls, enabling aerial tricks, spins and grabs. The Street section will replicate urban settings with rails, stair sets and ledges designed for slides, grinds and technical manoeuvres.

The facility will be open to skaters aged five and above and can accommodate around 40 users at a time. Entry will be restricted to active skateboarders, and the space will not be used as a general hangout area. Authorities are also considering providing skateboards on an hourly rental basis once the park opens.

Training programmes will primarily target beginners with no prior skateboarding experience. Jawahar Bal Bhavan Society president B.R. Naidu said structured training would be offered through both online and offline modes, with separate charges for entry, coaching and skateboard rentals. Details of the fee structure will be announced later.

Officials said the project is also intended to address safety concerns, as many skateboarders currently practise on city roads, increasing the risk of accidents. The new park will offer a supervised environment where enthusiasts and emerging talent can train safely.

An experienced skateboarder, who did not wish to be named, said Karnataka has strong potential in the sport if adequate infrastructure is provided. He noted that with sustained training and facilities, athletes from the state could reach Olympic-level competitions within the next 15 years and urged the government to develop similar parks in other districts.

Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of January 2026, with completion targeted for the summer holiday period. Officials have indicated that entry charges will be kept affordable to encourage wider participation.

With dedicated infrastructure, organised training and a central location, the upcoming skateboarding park at Jawahar Bal Bhavan is expected to strengthen Karnataka's public sports ecosystem and support the development of skateboarders capable of competing at national and international levels.