JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville skateboarders are anxiously awaiting the opening of a brand new $8 million skate park in Riverside.
The park along Artist Walk, located under the west end of the Fuller Warren Bridge, was originally set to open in May, but it has been pushed back.
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Now, it appears a tentative opening date has been set.
According to Councilman Jimmy Peluso, whose district covers where the park is located, the city is aiming for the week of Aug. 5 to open the park.
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Earlier this week, the city council finalized lease agreements for the property that is owned by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
A FDOT spokesman said once FDOT verifies the information in the agreement, the formal opening of the park will be coordinated with city officials.
Some skateboarders haven’t been so patient. Dozens of skateboarders have been seen riding at the unopened park in recent months. Visiting Thursday was Evan Mathis. Mathis is from California but is visiting family in town. He and some family members, who are also into skating, stopped by to show off some moves and check out the park.
“Skating really fosters community,” Mathis said. “Skate parks, in general, are a hub for kids to hang out. And every place they’ve been built, they become sort of iconic for the community.”
Diana Lane is also excited about this skate park being added to the group in the River City.
“We’re very lucky in Jacksonville, we have a lot of skate parks,” Lane said. “The one under the bridge is amazing because it’s hot in Florida.”
Lane and her two sons are heavily involved in the Jacksonville skating community. In fact, they’re behind the effort to bring the historic Vert Ramp at Kona Skate Park back to life. Lane said the park will only grow the support for the skate community.
“It requires a lot of perseverance and hard work and dedication. It makes you a stronger person with a lot more character, and then you can’t really help but get really excited when the people next to you are doing amazing things,” Lane said. “Everyone is always just cheering each other on and getting stoked out. It’s a blessing to have just another place in Jacksonville to gather in the community that encourages each other.”
Mathis said that support is exactly what made him fall in love with the sport many years ago.
“It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you’re from, how much money your parents make, what color your skin is,” Mathis said. “If you’re willing to put in the commitment to get out there, you’re a part of the group. You’re a part of the family.”