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A city embracing skateboarders is rare, but Durham happens to be one.

Durham Central Park and Durham Parks and Recreation have introduced a new, state-of-the-art public skate park in Downtown Durham.

On Saturday, Nov. 7 the skate park  opened in Durham Central Park after many construction delays.

A city embracing skateboarders is rare, but Durham happens to be one.


Durham Central Park and Durham Parks and Recreation have introduced a new, state-of-the-art public skate park in Downtown Durham.


On Saturday, Nov. 7 the skate park  opened in Durham Central Park after many construction delays.


The delayed opening did not stop Durham skaters from using the park early.


In fact, they were so eager that they began using it months before the actual completion of the project.


Pillar Design Studios designed the park, but local skaters, led by Ujamma Boardhouse owner Nik Spaulding, provided input at community forums about  the park's design.


The project cost about $350,000 and was funded by impact fees and bonds.


The park is approximately 10,000 square feet of poured-in-place concrete and, according to Durham's Parks and Recreation website, includes  skating features such as "a floating quarter pipe, launch boxes, step-up bank, 3-seven step stairs with handrails, a street clam, and an 8-inch trog bowl."


Durham has a large and diverse skating community  and a public and  police  force that is accepting of skateboarders.


Skaters from out of town  come to Durham because of the city's unique skater-friendly attitude.


Durham Central Park also includes the Durham Farmers' Market, where many skaters made improvised rails and performed tricks on the concrete pad when the market was not in session.


Although pads are not required, Durham Central Park representatives said that that helmets should be worn and within a month citations will be given for failure to wear a helmet.


Durham Central Park is located in downtown Durham. The skate park is on Rigsbee Avenue near Hunt Street.