After nearly five years in the making, the gates opened to San Diego’s newest skate park Tuesday.
Located inside Linda Vista Community Park, the facility accommodates skaters of all levels and features differing steps and rails, a full 360-degree pipe and a pedestrian bridge that offers spectators an eagle-eye view of the action.
In 2014, the city received a $4.46 million grant from the state to build it and another park in City Heights.
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"When we originally started out, we were happy with just getting the kids out of a parking lot," Chris Limon said. Limon grew up in Linda Vista and first brought up the idea for a skate park in 2013. "Because originally they were skating in a grocery store parking lot. So it became a matter of trying to find someplace safe for the kids to go."
Elected officials and community members were present for the grand opening, watching people enjoy the new space.
"Kids are super excited," Limon said. "It’s just one of those cool things where you know you’re doing the right thing."
The Linda Vista Skate Park is now open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Rules stipulate that skaters must wear safety gear, and kids under 12 have to be with a parent or guardian.
At 34,000-square-feet, it's one of the largest skate parks in San Diego County. In a news release Mayor Kevin Faulconer dubbed the Linda Vista Skate Park as the largest in the county. But according to the City of San Diego's website, Robb Field Skate Park in Ocean Beach has "40,000-square-feet of concrete."
