Parque Augusto Pólvora

Parque Augusto Pólvora sits in Maçã, about 4 km outside the fishing town of Sesimbra. It covers five and a half hectares on council land where there used to be a campsite, and it opened in the summer of 2017. It is named after Augusto Pólvora, the mayor who pushed for it and died shortly before it opened. The council says everything in it can be used free of charge.

Most families come for one of two things. Older children and teenagers come for the skate park, which the council describes as one of the best in Portugal. Younger children come for the sea-themed playground and the EcoParque. Between them are lawns with shade, a footpath that links the different areas, and picnic tables with barbecues, so a whole family can spend a morning here without anyone getting bored.

The skate park covers about 800 square metres of concrete. The council says it has ramps for “every kind of trick, from the most basic to the most complex”, and it is used every day by skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX riders of all ages. It has hosted bigger events too, such as the Watermelon Tour, an inline-skating circuit that brought riders from Portugal, Spain, Brazil and Colombia.

A-Park, the company that built it, describes it as a very technical, street-style layout. Riders get:

• rails of several kinds
• curbs (low concrete ledges) at every height
• stairs and euro gaps (a gap you jump across onto a lower level)
• quarter pipes of different heights
• a range of banks and inclines

This is a park designed with experienced skaters in mind, so it suits confident children and teenagers best. A young beginner can still roll around the flatter areas and try the lower curbs and gentle banks, but they will be sharing the space with older riders doing bigger tricks. If your child is new to it, a weekday morning in term time is when older riders are most likely to be at school.

No rules on helmets or pads were published when we checked. A helmet, knee pads and wrist guards are sensible for any child learning, especially on a concrete street course with stairs and rails.

For younger children, the park has a playground designed around maritime themes, a nod to Sesimbra’s long history as a fishing town. Nearby is the EcoParque, a play area made from natural materials from the region. The council’s idea is that children and young people get to know the shapes and textures of nature by climbing and playing on them. It is a good contrast to the plastic and metal of a standard playground, and a nice place for toddlers who like to touch everything.

There is also a large fitness station with a workout area, which the council describes as one of the park’s attractions for its size and range of equipment. Teenagers who like calisthenics may enjoy it as much as the skate park.

The park is also a base for trail running and mountain biking, which are popular in the hills around Sesimbra. The EcoTrilhos outdoor centre has information about the local area, changing rooms and a bike-washing point. If your family cycles, you can finish a ride here and clean the bikes before loading them back onto the car.

There are two picnic areas with tables, barbecues and water points, all open to the public. The lawns have shade, which matters in a Sesimbra summer. The council also set aside space for themed fairs, and the opening weekend had storytelling, traditional games and face painting, so it is worth checking the council’s agenda for events.

The park is in Maçã, on the way into Sesimbra from the north. A-Park’s description mentions a free car park, free toilets, drinking fountains, shaded areas and barbecue spots. Paths link the zones, so a buggy can get between the playground, the lawns and the picnic tables, though the skate area itself is no place for a buggy.

Bring water and sun cream in summer, and a picnic if you want to use the tables. There is no café listed on the council’s page, so don’t count on buying lunch in the park.

The skate park is built for serious street skating, and on busy days it will be full of older teenagers. A small child on a scooter may feel out of place at those times. The park is a drive from Lisbon, not a walk from Sesimbra’s beach, so it works best as a stop on the way into town or on the way home.

Sesimbra town is a few minutes’ drive away. On a hot day, the Piscina de Sesimbra is an option for a swim, and Batnavo runs dolphin-watching boat trips from the harbour. Dinosaur fans can see real footprints at the Pedra da Mua on Cabo Espichel, and Portinho da Arrábida is the classic Arrábida beach for calm, clear water.

Is Parque Augusto Pólvora free?

Yes. The council says the park’s equipment and spaces are free for everyone to use, including the skate park, the playground and the picnic areas.

Is the Sesimbra skate park good for beginners?

It is a technical street park built to a high level, so it suits confident skaters best. Beginners can use the lower curbs and banks, ideally at quieter times, but it is not a dedicated learner park.

Are scooters and BMX bikes allowed?

The council says the park is used by skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX riders. It does not publish specific rules on scooters, so check the signs at the entrance.

Is there somewhere to have a picnic?

Yes. There are two picnic areas with tables, barbecues and water points, plus shaded lawns.

Are there toilets?

Yes, according to the skate park’s builder, along with drinking fountains. The EcoTrilhos centre also has changing rooms.