Battlement Mesa Skatepark

Parachute and Battlement Mesa are twin communities located along the Colorado River, connected by shared schools and recreation departments but distinguished by their unique histories. Parachute was incorporated in 1908 as “Grand Valley” and renamed in 1980 to reflect Parachute Creek and the surrounding mountains, whose cliff lines resemble a spreading canopy. Across the river lies Battlement Mesa, named after jagged basalt formations that resemble medieval castle walls. Exxon built Battlement Mesa from the ground up in the late 1970s to accommodate thousands of oil workers. However, when the oil market collapsed suddenly on “Black Sunday” in 1982, Exxon withdrew, leaving behind a fully developed, quiet community now cherished by families and retirees.
Nestled within the Saddleback Recreational Area near Bea Underwood Elementary, Sunset Skate Park is aptly named for its sweeping panoramic views of nearby Mt. Callahan. Established in the early 2000s, this compact 2,000 sq.ft. park features modular metal Skatewave ramps positioned over a flat concrete pad. While decades of harsh weather on the Western Slope have aged the unlit prefab structure, nine years of dedicated grassroots advocacy have finally borne fruit. In July 2026, the local recreation department announced the official groundbreaking for a complete renovation, transforming Sunset Skate Park into a modern, multi-use concrete facility designed for skateboards, bikes, and scooters.