On the way to La Finca from Zoutelande I passed Amersfoort. The place was in the news a few months ago as they had just finished building the biggest skatepark in Europe. Amersfoort is not exactly a place that I pass by on a daily basis so I decided to go look for it. I tried the TomTom but that did not help. I did not have the address at skatespots aren't a built in Point Of Interest yet in the handy device. I did however remember seeing an IKEA in the background of some pics so the search was on for Ikea.

After a few different directions from several gas stations (finding the way the old school style) I managed to spot the park next to the Ikea. It took 45 minutes but I found it and now know where to go. The place was packed with people. If I have to give a wild estimate I would say there were 100 people there ranging from fruit booters, trials riders, groupies, skateboarders, parents, and a few BMX-ers. The place was huge and even with so many people there it did not feel packed.

Building a spot with nothing but steel ramps seems like a waste. I wasn't impressed by the spot because of it. Steel gets hot, slippery and blinds you when the sun's out. I have to admit that finding the perfect surface for weather conditions like we have in The Netherlands is hard if you want the ramps to survive. Steel is an option and with the City investing in a huge park like this they want it to last for longer than a few months.

The ramps have a sort of foam underneath for noise reduction and are very solid. The asphalt was very smooth but if you slide down from the top of the steel 10 ft quarterpipe you better try to get up before you hit the grippy asphalt. The place has plenty of obstacles. Next to the huge quarterpipe is has plenty of banks, a spine, miniramp, a double jump, ledges, hips and quarters. BMX is allowed and dogs are not, that's what the big sign says when you enter the spot. The park is open at all times and it's free to ride.

If your navigation has all Ikea's listed it will get you straight there. If you fancy riding metal ramps you should check it out. Is it worth making a trip to Europe's biggest skatepark? I don't think so, unless you pass by Amersfoort on your way to somewhere else. A good flowing concrete park 1/3rd the size would have been a better investment in my eyes. Check the pics and decide for yourself.
BdJ