While this hasn’t stopped a few locals from *ahem* “previewing” the spot, the official opening of the Joseph Emery Skate Spot is slated to finally take place on Saturday, March 19th. The finishing touches on the long anticipated Emeryville Skatepark are almost complete after beginning construction back in Summer of 2015.

A park we’re dubbing “The Antonio Ramos Memorial Skatepark” after the fallen Emeryville artist and skater who lived nearby (no offense to Joseph Stickney Emery, but he’s got an entire city named after him and was most likely not a skateboard enthusiast). Family & friends of Ramos will ultimately install a memorial plaque of some sort to honor his life that was cut short by gun violence.

Image: Low Card Skater Zak Gonzalez/Photo: Chris Atwood



Early reviews of the Wormhoudt designed, California Skateparks constructed creation have been favorable. “I love the park, it has a great flow” noted Low Card professional Zak Gonzalez who recently moved a mere two blocks away. “I’m stoked to make this opening one to remember!” “It is so sick” noted 10-year-old professional Matty Jessee through his Instagram account. Jessee’s father owns the nearby MB Jesse Paint Company. “What an awesome job!”

The legacy of the park is a long & complicated one and a story we’ve covered since CalTrans bulldozed the DIY skatepark known as “The Spot” only to let the tract under the MacArthur Maze turn into a large homeless encampment. Councilmembers Davis and Atkin got behind the idea of building Emeryville its own skatepark and adding an amenity that truly made Emeryville a more family-friendly city.

The design process orchestrated by Public Works Director Maurice Kaufman took into account feedback from the local skate community including the creators of “The Spot”. They collaborated and worked around the linear dimensions of the space to create a unique place that Emeryville could be proud of. Early reviews indicate that The City of Emeryville may have created a winner that reflects our “Small but Mighty” mantra.

Jared Albright @jared.albright having some fun at the new Emeryville skatepark ” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/72×72/1f3a5.png”>” /> Brandon Durrett #sbsclothing#apparel#style#skateboarding#skateboard#instaskate#skate#skatepark#skatelife#skatelifestyle#skateanddestroy#brokengrammed#skatecrunchmag#5050#skateeverything#skateeverydamnday#videooftheday#lowcardmag#skidmarkskatemag#photooftheday#stereotypedbysociety#51fiftyenergy#California#America#emeryvilleskatepark#emeryville A video posted by stereotyped by society (@sbsclothing) on Feb 17, 2016 at 3:24pm PST

The Planning for the Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is still underway but is expected to include a raffle with donations by Vans, Zumiez, The Tony Hawk Foundation, Thrasher & others and include a contest hosted by Berkeley’s 510 Skateboarding shop. Food will be on sale by local vendors of the Promenade Shopping Center which includes Wing Stop, Arizmendi, Grato Burger and Los Cantaros Taqueria.

If you would like to donate for the event, please contact City of Emeryville Recreation Supervisor Stacy Thomas at (510) 596-4314 or email her at sthomas@emeryville.org. We’ll provide more details about the Grand Opening program when it is finalized.

Overhead drone footage filmed and edited by Emeryville Resident Dinesh Dave (@AppleiDinesh on Twitter).

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