Skateparks will soon be coming to Arlington thanks to the City's Parks and Recreation Department and the non-profit group, Cody Rocamontes, Inc. The first steps in Arlington's Skatepark System Master Plan include outdoor skate facilities built at the Vandergriff, Randol Mill and Burl L. Wilkes Parks.

Vandergriff Park proposed skate park is expected to cover 31,000 square feet and will be completed in three phases, with the first phase estimated to begin construction in December and open in early spring. This phase will include the following amenities:

• Two bowls (pool- and flow-style)
• Snake run
• Street style features
• Plaza style features
• Beginner/kids skate area
• Amphitheatre style seating/viewing space
• Shade structure with seating

Randol Mill Park's skate park is set to begin construction this fall and will span over 6,500 square feet with skating and BMX challenges for beginner and intermediate users. Funding for the skate spot is through a Tony Hawk Foundation grant awarded to Cody Rocamontes, Inc., a local non-profit skate group, and the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation. It will be located in an area of the park formally occupied by outdated playground equipment. Randol Mill Park's skate park will offer:

• Hipped bank
• Manny pad with rail
• Curved taco
• Dragon tail
• Flat bar

Burl L. Wilkes Park will offer a skate spot that covers approximately 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. Construction is expected to begin in November and finish in early spring. This skate spot will be designed for mostly beginner and intermediate skaters and will feature:

• Plaza/street terrain areas
• Grind rails
• Banks

Skateparks at these three City parks will be followed by more as Arlington's Parks and Recreation Department hopes to provide fun, safe hangouts built for the skating community that are also easy to access.

Click here for more information about the Skatepark System Master Plan