'This is my skate park': Downtown Des Moines' Lauridsen Skatepark, the largest in the U.S., opens to the public Shelby Fleig, Des Moines Register Drone video: The Lauridsen Skatepark is almost done Replay Video UP NEXT Eighteen-year-old Drake Plascencia, who has traveled to California for its notably expansive skate parks, says Des Moines' long-awaited Lauridsen Skatepark is the best he's ever seen. The high school senior, who lives in West Des Moines, was one of about 300 people to attend Lauridsen's grand opening event Friday night. He was among dozens of scooter-riders there, and one of a handful to brave the 8.5-foot drop into the largest bowl on the north end of the Principal Riverwalk.