City opens new skate park
Photo by Tevin Stinson
Wesley Linton attempts a new trick at the new skate park near the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 2. The park was dedicated Saturday.
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
Since the young age of three, Wesley Linton has showed a true passion for skateboarding. When the Winston-Salem native, now 12, got news that a skate park was opening in his hometown, it was like a dream come true.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Linton. “Finally us skaters have a place to go here in Winston.”
Last Saturday, city officials held a grand opening event for the 15,200 square foot skate park located at 406 Deacon Blvd. Linton was one of the first skaters to take advantage of the park filled with ramps, quarter pipes, grinding rails, and bank ramps.
Linton said in the past he and other skaters had to travel to Kernersville or Greensboro to find a safe skating environment. According to Linton, the new park will solve the problem of people getting arrested just for skating.
“This park has a lot more to offer,” noted Linton. “What I like most is that you can’t really get overwhelmed. It’s perfect.”
Along with the ramps and numerous grind rails, the park also includes a 325-foot-long pump track that is designed to help riders master the basics of how to balance and handle their skateboards, roller skates or BMX bikes without the risk of major injury.
A shade structure, a water station for filling jugs and bottles, a seating area and an emergency call station are included in the park as well.
During the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony, Mayor Pro Tempore Vivan Burke said city officials have been battling for the skate park for close to 20 years. Burke noted the $450,000 investment is well worth it for the younger citizens in the city.
“We feel the excitement,” said Burke. “We are thrilled and we know you are too.”
North ward representative Denise D. Adams said it was important that the children in the area have a place where they will be safe and entertained.
“We want to thank the taxpayers for allowing us to build this wonderful skate park,” continued Adams. “I’m looking forward to this being an integral part of the plans we’ve drawn out for the fairgrounds.”
According to Tim Grant, the director of the city’s recreation and parks department, the skate park is unsupervised and will be open every day from 9 a.m. to dusk. Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are required to be worn by all participants at all times while they are on the skating surface.
The skate park is located next to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex across from Wake Forest Baseball Park.
For more information and a list of rules and regulations, visit www.cityofws.org/skate-park.
