PORT TOWNSEND — Skater boys and girls, as well as men and women, flocked Saturday to the soft opening of the new Port Townsend Skate Park that’s been many years coming.
Located at Monroe and Washington streets, the $350,000 skatepark, built by Dreamland Skateparks of Lincoln City, Ore., bustled with rolling activity and impressive airborne maneuvers.
One had to keep a keen eye out when entering the park to avoid flying skateboards that had gotten away from their riders and speeding skaters whizzing by from all directions.
At noon, about 65 skateboarders contributed to the frenzy at the park. Children as young as 6 years old to seasoned skating veterans turned out to see the new recreational facility.
The skatepark offers two swimming pool-like bowls to skate within, a large ramp, varying contours and a beginner’s course for those who are just starting.
‘Best park I’ve skated’
“This is the best park I’ve skated in my life,” said 15-year-old Matt Tuttle of Port Townsend, who said he’s skated at 16 parks nationwide.
“It’s got such a variety of stuff to hit and it’s pretty smooth.”
The surface has a finish that makes for smooth and fast riding. When a fall occurs, the injuries aren’t as bad as the former, temporary park.
“When you fell on the old park, it was like falling on a cheese grater,” said Tuttle.
“This one is a lot smoother.”
The new concrete skatepark replaced an existing wooden structure that the Port Townsend City Council donated to Jefferson County.
The wooden structure was installed in H.J. Carroll Park in Chimacum.