If you enjoy in-line skating or skateboarding, you'll flip for the skate park in Techny Prairie Park and Fields. The Northbrook Park District built the skate park after teenagers in the community asked for one, and Northbrook residents took an active role in the design process. With ramps, bowls, grinding ledges and rails, the 22,000-square-foot skate park welcomes skateboarders and in-line skaters of all ages. Although some parks use less expensive wooden ramps, the Northbrook park is all concrete and large enough to accommodate beginners and experienced skaters.

The skate park is free and open daily from sunrise until 10pm, weather permitting, with lights for night use. Although everyone is welcome, children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required, and protective gear is recommended. The skate park is unsupervised.

Skaters at the park offer a range of reasons for enjoying the sport, including artistic expression, stress relief, personal discovery, exercise and the enjoyment of “ripping a board down a hill.” The skate park officially opened in September of 2006, and the Park District began offering skateboarding classes and camps the following year.