Pier Park in Grand Island, Nebraska, was upgraded this past summer.
Just blocks from Grand Island's historic downtown district known as Railside, Pier Park is a popular place to relax and play. The park's amenities include a lake for fishing, a walking trail around the lake, tennis courts and ball fields, a modern playground, a wading pool, and now a brand new concrete skate park.
Replacing a vintage metal skate park, this $900,000 investment in Pier Park was lauded by the NoWear BMX crew when they were in town for the 2025 Nebraska State Fair. NoWear's founder, Krazy Karl Hinkley, praised the separation of segments or zones in the skate park's design. Professional BMX rider Jacob Thiem, a Nebraska native and member of the NoWear team, called Pier Park's skate park with its smooth concrete and nice transitions his new favorite. Thiem also pointed out how the rest of Pier Park was such an appealing environment. Pier Park's shade trees and lake make for a much more chill vibe than the rougher urban settings skate parks are often built in.
Locals are shredding at this gnarley new concrete park on their scooters, bikes, and skateboards. The NoWear team noted how the Grand Island skate scene has a reputation around Nebraska for its politeness and inclusivity, and it showed at the skater-led art and skating event that celebrated the completion of this Artisan Skateparks design. As skaters dropped in, the rest of the crowd cheered on their fellow competitors. The kids enjoying the new park talked with Grand Island Tourism staff excitedly and with respect, in contrast to the reputation skateboarding was given in the last few decades.
So if you're visiting Grand Island soon, consider packing your ride and grinding at Pier Park with your friends and family.
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