City opensRSB
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 environ
ment. 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 1 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 bal
ance 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 invest
ment is well worth it for the younger citi
zens 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 chil
dren 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 for
ward to this being an integral part of the
plans we've drawn out for the fair
grounds."
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 sur
face.
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 regula
tions, visit www.cityofws.org/skate-park.
Photo* by Tbvin Suruoii
A young skater tries out the half pipe
during the grand opening of the city's
new skate park located near the
Winston-Salem Fairgrounds on
Saturday, April 2.
Winston-Salem Fire Department Capt.
Joe Ramsey prepares to shred the half
pipe during the grand opening of the
city's new skate park located at 406
Deacon Boulevard.
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