In the works since 2007, a nearly $1 million dollar skateboard park has opened at College Station’s Southwood Athletic Park on Rock Prairie Road.
From the parking lot, about two blocks of concrete pavement sprinkled with obstacles winds behind the basketball and tennis courts. Behind the swimming pool there are two bowls and a shelter area.
City officials say early ideas for the park sparked a grassroots effort by local enthusiasts in 2007, and city voters approved the $920,000 facility in a 2008 bond election. With extensive input from the public and local skateboarders, planning began in 2009 and construction started in April 2011.
While the park has opened, there is a contest to name the facility. Entries can be submitted through the city’s Facebook and Twitter accounts (use hashtag #sk8name). The new name will be announced at the park’s grand opening September 3rd from 5 until 7 p.m.
Saturday afternoon, when the temperature was 103 degrees, there were more skaters in the shelter than on the trail when pictures were taken.
