One thing I love about skating is that it is one of the few activities that you can show up as a loner. I mean, I have no issue with going to see a movie by myself but friends and family tell me I am weird whenever I do it but skating, now that’s a different gig. You get your skates and you move! No crowd or buddy needed and chances are you make friends along the way.
When I first moved to Florida, one of the first things I tried to figure out was places where I could enjoy the outdoors. More specifically, places where I could use my bike or go roller skating without being a nuisance to others or causing a disturbance.
Below are some of my favorite places for roller skating or skating in Lakeland.
Skate World Lakeland
The first place I went to was indoors and that was Skate World Lakeland.
Skate World is an exciting and family-friendly environment for roller skating enthusiasts of all ages. It is located at 911 North Lake Parker Avenue. Skate World is typically opened Tuesdays to Sundays but the hours of operations tend to vary depending on the day of the week. You can check out their hours of operation and pricing by visiting their official website.
Like most indoor skate places, you can rent roller skates or blades for a fee. Because of the popularity of this place and the fact that children and adults share the same floor, you will want to skate defensively so as not to run into other tumbling skaters.
Skate World participates in the Kids Skate Free program, which allows free skating opportunities during select hours. Parents can sign up their children through the Kids Skate Free website to take advantage of this program. It is also a great venue for hosting events like birthday parties and for taking skating classes for those who would like to learn to skate.
In terms of an actual visit, one thing to keep in mind is that this venue has a clear bag policy and so you are only allowed to bring in clear bags (no purses etc). You cannot bring in your skate bag (I learned this the hard way, so just hold on to your skates and leave the bag in your car).
For parking, Skate World has some parking spaces in front of the building and there is an overflow parking space behind the building as well.
Bonnet Springs Park
Bonnet Springs Park is one of my favorite places in Lakeland. I already wrote about this amazing park and 21 things you can do when you visit. You can check out my review of Bonnet Springs Park here. If roller skating or skating within a confined space is not for you, then you would love Bonnet Springs Park. It has so much space for you to move around freely and at no cost to you.
Bonnet Springs Park has both straight parts and a lot of areas with slopes and so if you are new to skating, this is something you definitely want to be mindful of before you venture out. But this does not mean that you should be discouraged, even less experienced skaters can totally enjoy this park.
There are two areas, I find to be the best for skating. The first is towards the entrance, which has straight trails/paths that are not slopy. The second area is near the Allen & Company Family Lawn, which is close to the location of the Florida Children’s Museum. It has a large pavement that goes around in a circle and is actually great for skating.
It’s preferable to go very early in the morning or late afternoon since these areas are open and without trees to protect you from the sun. Visually, it is a beautiful area to skate and gives you that relaxing feeling of being surrounded by nature.
Lake Mirror
Another location where you can skate is Lake Mirror. Lake Mirror is one of the most beautiful spots in the city. It is known for its calm water and beautiful surrounding walkways. You will usually see people walking around, jogging, skating, and rollerblading.
While skating at Lake Mirror is possible, personally I find it tricky because the sidewalks are bumpy. They are made with little Peebles and if you are not a good skater, then you might end up being a nuisance to those who are taking their walks and simply trying to relax. So keep this in mind before choosing this spot.
I won’t recommend Lake Mirror for someone who is just starting out with skates. It can really get crowdy depending on when you visit. Once you have better control, then you can use this space. But please be respectful as it is a shared space.
Fort Frasier Trail
Fort Fraser Trail is 12-foot-wide, 7.75-mile long and runs parallel to U.S. Highway 98 from State Highway 60 in Bartow to County Road 540. The route starts off by Polk State College. You can park behind the Polk Sheriff’s office. This trail is excellent for walking, jogging, in-line skating, and biking. The trail is off-limits to motorized vehicles.
The Fort Frasier Trail itself is very smooth and paved path, which is why it is perfect for roller skating and rollerblading. What I love most about this trail is how it surrounded by so much greenery and how open the space is. Here you don’t have to worry too much about bumping into people especially if you are a beginner but there are stop signs on the trail that require your attention. The trail is wide enough to give you room to maneuver without feeling crowded.
With that said, even though the terrain is mostly flat, there are some variations (not really slopes) that require you pay attention. You may also find some debris from the surrounding plants so watchout for those to avoid face planting. I would say it is not the best for beginners but once you are a more experienced skater, then this is a great place to enjoy skating or roller blading.
Other Locations and Recommendations
Some other places I have heard where you can skate or use your rollerblades include Lake Parker Park and Fletcher Park. Other than Skate World, Bonnet Springs Park, Lake Mirror, and Fort Frasier Trail, I haven’t tried any of these other recommendations personally but I have heard that they are also alternative places to skate. Let me know if you have or if you disagree with these recommendation.
