The story of skateboarding can’t be fully told without mentioning the city of Malibu, and now those who continue to carry on the rich tradition of the sport’s pioneers will have a new playground to continue their legacies.
After a yearslong community effort featuring public comment, meetings and surveys conducted half a decade ago, the Malibu City Council has finally approved funding for a new permanent skate park in the city.
The Council approved a $4.1 million contract to build the skatepark, with construction set to begin next month.
City officials said the approval of the plan marks a major milestone in the city’s goals of “providing high-quality recreational facilities and fostering an active, healthy community.”
The 12,500 square-foot facility project will cater to skaters of all skill level with stairs, rails, ledges, banks, a sloping bowl and quarter-pipes, among other permanent installations.
Renderings show the proposed design of the permanent Malibu skatepark, which is set to open in the fall of 2025. (City of Malibu) 
Renderings show the proposed design of the permanent Malibu skatepark, which is set to open in the fall of 2025. (City of Malibu) 
Renderings show the proposed design of the permanent Malibu skatepark, which is set to open in the fall of 2025. (City of Malibu)
It’ll be built by C.S. Legacy Construction Inc., which is expected to break ground next month and have it ready for action this fall.
Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart celebrated the long-awaited funding approval and what amounts to the the last step in bureaucratic process and the first step toward turning a concept into reality.
“This skate park is more than just a recreational facility — it will be a gathering place that will foster community, promote healthy lifestyles, and embrace Malibu’s deep-rooted skate culture,” Stewart said in a news release. “We look forward to watching generations of skaters enjoy this incredible new space.”
The Malibu City Council is also exploring naming rights partners for the park, with the Council expected to hear proposals throughout the year.
The city’s temporary skatepark, which opened in 2020 at 24250 Pacific Coast Hwy, will remain open throughout the duration of construction.
Malibu, a city known worldwide for its waves and surf culture, was among the Southern California coastal cities where skateboarding became mainstream as surfers left the waves behind to catch a ride on city streets.
Street surfing later became skateboarding, and now there’s a permanent home for it in Malibu.
For additional information about the temporary skatepark and the plans for the new facility, click here.
