New Skatepark Opens in Cedar Rapids

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held for the new skatepark at Riverside Park, 1501 A Street SW, on Saturday, August 26 at 9:30 a.m. The skatepark was relocated within the park to make room for a detention basin that is part of the flood control system. The previous skatepark was installed in in 1999 and consisted of mostly steel-framed obstacles with a few concrete pieces. The new skatepark provides more efficient use of space and better flow, with obstacles out of concrete to meet optimal industry standards.

“While work on the flood control system disrupted use of the previous skatepark at Riverside Park, the result is well worth the wait,” said Hashim Taylor, Director of Parks and Recreation. “We are able to provide the skatepark community with an updated park that we know they will love.”

The skatepark also includes lights for skating until 10:00 p.m., a drinking fountain and a reconstructed parking lot with accessible parking spaces. A new playground will be added to Riverside Park with work expected to start within a few weeks.

Construction is nearly complete on the adjacent detention basin. Meanwhile, construction will continue on the nearby 12th Avenue Pump Station through 2024. Both projects are integral parts of the City's Flood Control System.