In an era of low-rise jeans, tracksuits, trucker hats, iPods, and flip phones, a new amenity arrived at The Forks. Complete with pyrotechnics, live bands, and professional skateboarders, including Steve Berra and members of his pro skate team, The Plaza at The Forks officially opened in 2006.
Twenty years later, The Plaza is celebrating two decades of skateboarders and BMX riders catching air, landing tricks, and making memories at one of Canada's most iconic skate destinations.
Designed for everyone in the heart of the city
Built in 2006 by PCL Construction and designed by British Columbia-based skate-park specialists van der Zalm + Associates and New Line Skateparks, in partnership with Winnipeg’s Scatliff+Miller+Murray, the skate park features 44,000 square feet of rails, ledges, banks, and stair steps. The design also features skateable art structures within the plaza, including the ‘magic carpet,’ a steel ribbon track. The 8,500-square-foot bowl sits next to The Plaza, providing plenty of space to generate speed, carve around corners, and perform tricks on the lip and in the air.
For the past two decades, skateboarders, BMX riders, and scooter riders have made The Plaza their own. It was the first destination skate plaza of its kind in Canada to be built in the heart of a downtown, and remains a beloved gathering place at The Forks. While larger skateparks exist across Canada, The Plaza remains one of the country's most distinctive urban skate destinations and one of the few outdoor skateparks set in the city’s downtown.
The Plaza at The Forks was made possible through a gift from The James Burns Family Foundation and support from CentreVenture Development Corporation.
Great for beginners, pros and spectators
As with everything at The Forks, The Plaza is available to everyone, from newbies to pros. And the concrete structure has the distinction of being visited by many famous skateboarders and BMXers.
Tony Hawk, Bam Margera, Ryan Sheckler, Alex Chalmers, Andrew Reynolds, and Mike Vallely have skated at the park. It was the only Canadian stop on Tony Hawk’s ‘Secret Skatepark Tour’ back in the fall of 2006, which he embarked on with friends to announce the release of his newest game, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland. The skatepark is featured in the video Tony Hawk’s Secret Skatepark Tour 3.
In June 2016, the Primitive Canada Tour made a stop at the skatepark with Paul Rodriguez, Shane O’Neill, and others. Later that month, to celebrate the park's 10-year anniversary, special guests Forrest Edwards, Garrett Hill, and Chris Wimer were on site, and the celebration included a skateboard demonstration and a Vans Best Trick Competition.
While professional skateboarders and BMX riders have helped put The Plaza on the map, it's equally a place for beginners finding their footing on a board or bike. Today, organizations like Píhtikwé continue to help introduce new riders to the sport through demonstrations, mentorship, and community programming. Visitors can even get on a board and give it a try with Píhtikwé during Canada Day programming on July 1, 2026.
An Artful Spot
Beyond the riding experience, The Plaza was designed as an urban public space. Its open layout frames views of Winnipeg's downtown skyline, while public art has become part of the landscape. The design of The Plaza highlights the Winnipeg downtown skyline as a backdrop.
A large dome-shaped mural sits next to The Plaza. Spray-painted in 2018 by English graffiti artist Mr Cenz, “Jai Pereira” is a dedication to the late founder of Sk8 Skates.
Fun Facts:
- More than 200 piles support the plaza beneath the surface, providing structural capacity for the massive urban park.
- The Plaza was honoured with a Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) National Honour Award in 2008.
- The original investment in the park was $2.5 million.
- At the time of construction, it was Canada’s most expensive skate park.
For 20 years, The Plaza has been a place to learn new tricks, push personal limits, meet friends, and build community. Here's to the next 20 years of dropping in, catching air, and creating memories at The Forks.
