Coleman Skatepark Opens Friday; Skaters Already Grinding

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. So they taught in grade school.

The recently re-branded Coleman Oval Skatepark isn’t quite ready for public consumption just yet, but that’s not stopping droves of skateboarders who want first tracks on that shiz. Indeed, construction is in the final stages, with tarps and burlap sacks still littering the freshly laid concrete. Not to worry. There’s still plenty of space to go nuts, even though Coleman isn’t technically slated to open until Friday.

The finished product, made possible by skater advocate Steve Rodriguez and a GameChangers grant, appears worlds ahead of its predecessor. Until now the park only had a few rails and jumps to its name; this upgrade eliminated the southeastern dog park and added more attractively ambitious obstacles like quarter-pipes, stairs, and ramps.

But it’s still not open as evidenced by the smiley-faced signs attached to the chain-linked perimeter. Again, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Just as we were leaving, a crew of youngsters and parents strolled up for their share. The back gate, which had been open much of the morning was locked. So, that pair of wire cutters sitting on the nearby stoop certainly came in handy…

No corporate signage just yet, or any evidence of the “super pipe.” See you Friday. Or later today.