South Branch Skatepark

South Branch Skatepark (locally nicknamed "Shrimp Town") is in Sykesville, Maryland. It sits within South Branch Park on the Howard County side of the Patapsco River. This roughly 13,000-square-foot concrete facility is a highlight of the local skate scene, with a strong origin story: it began as a DIY spot on an abandoned warehouse slab before Howard County stepped in and Spohn Ranch built the professional park that stands today (opened in 2016). Location and access: 13125 Forsythe Rd, Sykesville, MD 21784. Hours are dawn to dusk. The park is free and open to the public. There are no lights, so sessions end at sundown. The bowl is a multi-depth clover-style bowl from about 4 to 7 feet deep with smooth concrete and pool coping. A mini-ramp offers a transitional section for riders not ready for the main bowl. The street section includes stairs, handrails, hubbas, and several unique ledges. The layout adds elevation and flow channels to manage drainage compared with the old slab, so lines can run continuously through the park. Local notes: look for the ornamental steel apple near the entrance—a nod to the site's history as a former apple butter factory. The park often hosts a spring "Skate Jam" community event. Many riders also visit the newer Blandair Regional Park skatepark in Columbia. Parking can fill on weekends because the site shares space with a busy playground and picnic area.