WHAT: The Pre-Hurricane Katrina section (10,000 square feet): A huge amoeba-on-steroids shaped bowl with an over vert clamshell, birdbath, spine, tight and loose pockets, with heights that vary from 5 feet to 11 1/2. Surrounding the bowl is a small inclined rail, ledges, taco-shaped pocket, several hips, a flat and a rainbow rail, some quarter pipe goodness, and several embankments of varying sizes and angles. This entire section of the park flows seamlessly into the newer section... The Post-Katrina section (5,000 square feet): This section is more street-ish in its design. It has a hubba style floating ledge, a big rail, eurogaps (topped with granite and trimmed with steel), a bank to curb, a bank to ledge, a manual pad, a 5 foot jersey barrier-ish style quarter with a concrete lip, some flat and a unique bank-to-tight transitioned thing that was invented on the spot by the Dreamland guys.
GOOD: It was built by Dreamland, the transitions and surfaces are perfect, the locals are friendly, there's a lot of shade around the park for the non-skaters in your crew, and it's walking distance from cold drinks and restaurants. It closes when the sun goes down... sort of. Technically you're supposed to leave when it gets dark (cops come by and tell everyone to leave via those speaker/megaphone things they have), but it's not uncommon to get away with hours of dark, late night sessions.
PADS: Recommended by the city, but not required at all. Come as you are.
Address: 201-299 W Coleman Ave Hammond, LA 70403
HOW TO FIND IT: Just remember that Hammond is roughly halfway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge (roughly 45 minutes from each) in the capital of Tangipahoa Parish. If you ever wind up in southeast Louisiana, you'll be close enough to drive over... check the Google Maps link, and keep in mind that you can get to Hammond from I-55 or I-12, so you have choices on how you can arrive.
