MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Marine Corps Air Station New River will open its newly-constructed skate park adjacent to the inline skating rink, Oct. 24.
“We’ve created a very high-quality skate park here aboard New River,” said air station Semper Fit director Richard Cole. “When it is opened, it will be the most challenging skate park in eastern North Carolina.”
The American Ramp Company rated the air station’s new skate park eight out of 10 for difficulty.
“We wanted to gear the park toward more advanced skaters because we have a lot of Marines who are pretty good,” said Cole. “There is definitely a lot of equipment that a novice skateboarder could use, but we wanted something challenging for the rest of the ability groups.”
One of the features that makes this skate park different than others is the bowl, a concave semi-circle in the ground that skaters can do tricks in and on.
“We are the only skate park in the area that has a bowl,” said Cole.
The park also features a long ramp, a half pipe and grind rails.
Inline skating, skateboarding and bicycle motocross (BMX) are all permitted at the park.
Though the park is unsupervised, rules are in place to ensure safety.
“They’re only allowing one skater on each apparatus at a time,” said Cole. “We’re also requiring minimum safety gear for each person using the facility.”
The minimum gear required to use the skate park is a helmet, kneepads, elbow pads and wrist protection. Additional rules are posted at the entrance. If the Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO) witnesses any infractions, they will cite all violators.
“The park will remain free to use as long as people are using sound judgment,” said Cole. “A free, high-adrenaline activity like this is a great opportunity for Marines coming back from a deployment to get adjusted with life back in garrison.”
Many Marines volunteered to help with the construction of the park.
“We had dozens of Marines volunteer to help anywhere from eight to 85 hours in some cases,” said Cole. “The Marines wanted a place to skateboard so bad that they would lend a hand before work, work all day, then come back and help out as soon as they got off.”
There will be a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4-6 p.m., Oct. 24, complete with food and beverages. For more information on the skate park, call the outdoor recreation programs manager, Mike Smith, at 910-449-5268.
| Date Taken: |
10.24.2013 |
| Date Posted: |
10.28.2013 13:33 |
| Story ID: |
115842 |
| Location: |
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
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246 |
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