St. Petersburg To Host Grand Opening For 1st Regional Skate Park

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Rippers have a new bowl to perfect their "backslide Ollies."

In non-skateboarding lingo, this means skateboard enthusiasts have a new place to show off their tricks.

On Saturday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the St. Petersburg Regional Skatepark at 600 12th St. S. will open just in time for summer.

Mayor Rick Kriseman, the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department, City of St. Petersburg leaders, the St. Petersburg Skatepark Alliance and Team Pain will host a grand opening of the new park.

"I am incredibly excited to have the new skatepark open." said Kriseman. "This is more than just one of the largest skateparks in Florida - this is a partnership with the Skatepark Alliance, Team Pain and with our neighborhoods, especially Campbell Park. I want to thank everyone, including the Parks & Recreation Department, who worked so hard to make this a reality."

Kriseman noted that the new skatepark is in line with his Healthy St. Pete campaign.

"The skatepark doesn't just promote fun and new challenges for skateboarders and BMX riders," he said. "It also promotes physical fitness, exposes youth to new athletic opportunities and will bring competitions for amateur and professional skateboarders and BMX riders to the St. Pete community."

After several public meetings and hearing from neighborhoods and community leaders, the St. Petersburg Regional Skatepark was approved by the City Council in August 2015. The $1.25 million, 28,000-square-foot project broke ground in June 2017 in the Campbell Park neighborhood.

The skatepark was designed and built by Cutler Associates, Team Pain Skate Parks, Hunter Booth of Booth Design Group and Dan Vickstrom of Vickstrom Engineering. The park has features for all levels of skateboarders including a street course, a snake run, an intermediate and a deep bowl. The 12-foot-deep bowl is the deepest skatepark bowl in Florida and is designed for advanced level skateboarders and BMX riders.

The grand opening will feature demonstrations and events including a best trick competition.

Learn more about the skateboard and the grand opening by clicking here.

Image via St. Pete