Construction to revitalize Rhodes Skate Park has taken all winter and as the weather turns skate boarders are hungrily eyeing the near-completed park, but the cement features may bring more to Boise than a cool place to ride a board.
It's a sight skateboarders across the valley have been waiting to see. The bowls, boxes and rails that make up the new and improved Rhodes Park are nearly finished.
And it's like nothing else in the country.
"It really is an extremely diverse skate park,” said Josh Davis of the Boise Skateboard Association. “A lot of parks you either have a lot of transitions and bowls or the street and plaza [features]. But we have something for all skate boarders."
Davis says the new skate park will not just be a feature enjoyed by Boiseans. It's getting attention across the country.
"I don't know that people in the community understand the significance of this park. This is a destination park."
As people roll in from around the country, the park stands as a magnet for business.
"There are some companies from California looking to move their operations here,” said Davis. “So it can have not only a great impact for our recreation in Boise but also economically as well."
The elephant in the room is the persistence of homeless people hanging out in the area and the trash they create. Davis says the skating community will look after the place.
"They understand this is their area and I think they want to keep it in good condition. A lot of time, effort, and labor went into making this park."
The park looks to be the next jewel added to the crown of parks Boise is curating. Opening day for the park has not yet been announced, but developers say it will happen in the next few weeks.
We'll be sure to let you know when that day will be.
