New skate park to open in Blacksburg

The Blacksburg Skate Park has been a part of the Recreation Center for more than 12 years and has provided a home for skaters of all ages.

Lee Johnson, owner of downtown skate shop The Greenhouse, was inspired to have the first skate park built in 1996 when the town of Blacksburg outlawed skateboarding.

"I guess there were a few incidents downtown involving some kids and an elderly pedestrian. I think two people just got into each others' way," Johnson said. "There was a need for somewhere to legally ride a skateboard."

The original park was a joint project between The Greenhouse, a few Tech students and some other skaters from around the area.

"We all did various fundraisers. I think I maxed out a credit card," Johnson reflected. "With the town's blessing, we got an old access road that used to go back to the parks and recreation buildings on Patrick Henry. We raised some money and built wooden ramps, and the skate park was born!"

Surprisingly, The Greenhouse has been able to maintain the wooden skate park for the past twelve years despite the recent economic hardships that the store, along with most downtown businesses, has been going through.

"We've had different fundraisers to rehabilitate the park, usually in the spring to make additions to the park. The Parks and Recreation [centers of Blacksburg] actually saw that [the skate park] was being used a lot; I think a lot more than expected in the beginning. They started sort of doing a matching of funds; for whatever we raised, they'd match the money." But, the park could only be repaired so much. Johnson figured that there was a need for a brand-new, more durable skate park.

"It's going be a one-of-a-kind park. The new skate park is completely different; that was town-funded. The town stepped up and out-located a bunch of money for a new all-concrete formed park, so this one's much nicer than the old one and all professionally constructed." The new park was built by a company called California Skateparks. They are known for building skate parks across the West Coast, but they have recently been expanding and working more with East Coast clients.

The new and improved Blacksburg Skate Park is scheduled to have its grand opening this Saturday, Aug. 25 on Patrick Henry drive, across from Blacksburg High School. The opening ceremony will feature live music from BoogieBurg's DJ Eclectic and free food, and official Skate Park T-shirts will also be on sale. The highlight of the evening will be the Best Trick contest, which will give skaters of all levels the opportunity to compete.

This article was initially published in the Collegiate Times, both print and online.