Laredo Texas Skate Park

Description

The City of Laredo Texas Skate Park in North Central Park is open to the public as of February 2, 2020.

Thanks to eight years of community advocating led by the Skateboard Laredo group, and with support of City leadership, Laredo’s first poured in place concrete skatepark is open to the public. In May of 2017 council unanimously approved the design-build skatepark project to be located in North Central Park. Councilman Charlie San Miguel spear-headed the John Valls Skate Park project which was paid for in large part by discretionary district funding. The project started with a community meeting to inform the public on overall park improvements, and to gather input on desired skatepark terrain, amenities, etc. A second meeting with a city-delegated skater focus group ultimately led to the final skatepark concept design. SPA began construction in the Fall of 2019. The City self-performed landscape remediation and installed park fixtures and signage. 

The John Valls Skate Park complements a variety of concurrent additions and improvements to North Central Park. Parking is available directly off International Parkway. The skatepark is located behind the covered basketball courts. Don’t have a car? John Valls Skate Park is located along the N Central Park Trail.

Terrain

The John Valls Skate Park is a fusion of park and plaza terrain. Generally the park is split into two elevations, one at existing grade and the other 2.5 higher. Skaters can ride from one level to the next continuously or rest at either end in preparation of their next run. The upper level has a barrier style turnaround feature and a bank to manual pad. The transition between the two levels includes an architecturally inspired red brick stamped bank and flat-to-down rail. The lower section of the skatepark has a circular wedge feature that protrudes into the middle of the park. It can be used to control speed or do a variety of tricks over. A flat ledge and A-frame ledge are located on each side of the outer perimeter. The turn-around wall on the lower level consists of a continuous 4 foot quarter pipe that transitions to a bank, complete with an extension. 

Rules & Hours

Contact the City of Laredo Parks and Recreation Department for John Valls Skate Park rules and hours of operation at 956-795-2350. As of this writing, no information could be found on the City’s website. The City has posted a rules sign at the entrance of the skatepark. Please respect the park, the public and your fellow skaters. After all, it’s YOUR park!  

External Links

2/4/20 – Skating community rejoices over park opening
1/29/20 – Final touches being put on new skate park
10/23/19 – New Skate Park Project Breaks New Ground
12/20/18 – Skate Park at John Valls Park Groundbreaking Ceremony – Mayor Pro Tempore Charlie San Miguel
10/4/18 – City discusses design plans for new skate park
5/8/18 – New Skate Park Coming to North Central Park