Parque da Juventude in São Bernardo reopens after major revitalisation

On Saturday (11 July), Mayor Marcelo Lima formally handed over the wide-ranging revitalisation of Parque da Juventude-one of São Bernardo’s best-known landmarks and a nationally recognised venue for extreme sports, as well as one of the largest in Latin America. The work was carried out under the coordination of the Department of Sport and Leisure, and leaves residents and athletes with a fully renewed facility after years without comprehensive upkeep.

The set of upgrades reinforces the current administration’s commitment to restoring public amenities, delivering better quality, safety and comfort for the many people who use one of the city’s most established leisure spaces every day.

Modernisation of Parque da Juventude and the new investment phases

The revitalisation forms part of a modernisation plan that began in September 2025, when the City Council installed a new LED lighting system across the entire complex.

With that first step already in place, the municipal administration has now completed a second round of investment focused on a broad renewal of the physical structure. This stage included repainting both internal and external areas, refurbishing the toilets, reviewing the entire electrical system and restoring the main sports equipment.

Facilities dedicated to extreme sports also underwent a complete round of maintenance. The zipline, climbing wall and abseiling set-up were fully refurbished, including the replacement of safety netting. Meanwhile, the children’s skate track and other equipment received structural improvements designed to increase safety and enhance the overall user experience.

“"We’re changing the way São Bernardo looks after its assets. It’s not enough to deliver projects-you have to look after, maintain and value what we already have, so it can keep serving the public with quality, comfort and safety for many years,"” said Mayor Marcelo Lima. “"This park itself went a very long time without the care it deserved, because it is one of the main facilities for extreme sports in Latin America-if not the main one-and also for the people of São Bernardo and other cities,"” he added.

São Bernardo skate heritage: a breeding ground for champions

“"Important names in every skate discipline came from here, known all over the world. So this park is a source of pride for São Bernardo and deserves every care. It’s up to all of us to look after this asset, which is already historic and a symbol for São Bernardo when it comes to extreme sports,"” Mayor Marcelo Lima said. He was accompanied by the Secretary of Sport and Leisure, Maurício Cardozo, local councillors, staff responsible for the site and athletes.

He continued: “"We want families to feel proud and want to visit São Bernardo’s parks. A park full of children, young people, athletes and families is proof that the city is alive, safe and well cared for,"”.

As a visible marker of this phase, the traditional half pipe received a new visual identity through the Grafitando SBC project, bringing urban art into the space and strengthening the park’s role as a place for sport, culture and community.

The refurbishment was praised by university student Victor Andrade Monfredini, a resident of Vila Pires in Santo André. Now 20, he has been coming to Parque da Juventude since he was 14 to skateboard-one of his passions alongside Journalism, the degree he is currently studying. It was no coincidence that he was standing next to the half pipe, where he planned to ride after warming up on the other skate areas.

“"I come here to São Bernardo all the time-about six years now. So this park is already part of my story and my life, and I come mainly because of the half, which is a historic asset here in São Bernardo and in Brazil. It’s one of the main ones we have in the country and it’s also the first in Brazil’s history that produced many athletes, like Sandro Dias, Mineirinho, and now it’s been producing Pietro Nunes, who rides here in São Bernardo. This facility had problems, and for a long time we were asking for a refurbishment. Now, seeing it from the outside, it looks perfect and I can’t wait to ride,"” he concluded.

Facilities, size and the park’s main equipment

Covering around 22,000 square metres, Parque da Juventude brings together facilities for skateboarding, BMX, inline skating, climbing, abseiling and a zipline. It also includes an outdoor gym, a pet area and a walking track of approximately 600 metres.

Among its standout features are the half pipe; the Street Park Cássio Narina, recognised as one of the best public circuits in the country; and the children’s skate track, designed for youngsters up to 12 years old.

Regarded as one of the biggest symbols of skateboarding in Brazil and of São Bernardo’s extreme-sports park, Marco Aurélio Fonseca-better known as Jeff Cocon-is a familiar face on the park’s ramps. He has been skating there since the 1980s, when he started in the sport that became his passion and took him to eight Brazilian championship titles.

Like him, other half-pipe riders told the Mayor they would like to see the space covered, so neither rain nor strong sun interferes with their runs.

“"Thank you, Mayor Marcelo Lima, for revitalising the park, and if the half gets a roof, we’ll definitely go down in world skate history, because it can be used regardless of the weather. I’ve been skating for 47 years, and we’re here fighting to keep skateboarding alive, to strengthen the new generation,"” said Jeff. “"Great athletes have passed through here, great idols of world skateboarding, because this park in São Bernardo is a reference point-we have, in our city, one of the biggest stages in world skateboarding. And we’re very happy that the public authorities have the vision to look after this space with so much history,"” he added.

Park opening times

• Every day: 06:00 to 22:00 - free-use area (jogging/walking track, stretching equipment, playground, baby-changing area, toilets)
• Mondays: 17:00 to 21:00 - Street Park Cácio Narina - Old School session (skate practice for people aged 40+)
• Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 to 21:00 - sports equipment (Half Pipe, Street Park Cácio Narina, Children’s Track, Climbing, Abseiling and Zipline)
• Tuesday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00. Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 to 14:00

What you need to use Parque da Juventude

• Safety equipment is mandatory.
• You must have a park user card, issued by the park administration, by presenting:
  • the legal guardian’s original Brazilian identity card (RG); and
  • the minor’s original RG or birth certificate; and
  • one printed 3 cm × 4 cm photo.
• To use the sports equipment, adults must present an official photo ID at the entrance to the equipment area.