KING CITY — King City Recreation Department will host a grand reopening for the updated King City Skate Park on Monday, despite recent vandalism at the park.
The park has been open since May 3 after new ramp construction concluded, but the grand reopening is timed to coincide with International Skateboard Day.
On Monday, it was discovered that some of the new ramps had been vandalized sometime over the weekend. According to the Recreation Department via Facebook, the city’s Public Works was trying to clean up the tagging before the celebration.
The June 21 grand reopening, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will include a formal dedication, giveaways, pizza, skateboarding demonstrations and possibly contests for attendees who wish to show off their trick skills.
“We’re looking forward to opening officially,” said Andrea Wasson, recreation coordinator. “We need outdoor activities in a safe, family-friendly environment.”
Wasson said during the first week of reopening, the skate park was crowded with youth who had been waiting for the facility’s return. While she is focused on the reopening of the city pool in recent weeks, Wasson said the skate park has remained popular.
New lighting was also installed at the skate park to allow for evening riding.
The Recreation Department has been forced to adapt to Covid-19 restrictions, with a summer camp not being possible this year and the pool’s capacity being limited to 100 guests rather than the full 200.
“We hit capacity of 100 people by 1:30 p.m.,” Wasson said of recent crowds wanting to get into the pool, which opens at 1 p.m.
The need to follow government guidelines dictates how many people can be let into the pool.
Meanwhile, at the skate park, Wasson said the facility is open to all ages and skill levels, as there is something there for all skaters.
