PATTERSON – Whether kids like to skate, bike, or even rollerblade, the skate park in Patterson is the only place to go according to local skateboarders Abraham Garcia-Ramos and Joel Becerril. 

“It’s the only place to skate in Patterson,” said Garcia-Ramos. “I like everything about this place.”

Becerril echoed his friend’s sentiments, stating his own personal reason for liking the facility, which is the first in-ground skate park on the west side. 

“I like the bowl because I can practice skateboarding and doing tricks,” said Becerril. 

Before the completion of the Patterson Skate Park in 2011, kids were disadvantaged when it came to locations to skate, often skating outside of the Save Mart Supermarket and True Value Hardware stores in the area. 

The only other skate park in the area was a small, above-ground park near Newman. However, this park proved to not be enough for the young skateboarding aficionados of Patterson.   

Now, the 14,000-square-foot skate park gives skateboarders plenty of space to practice their kickflips and ollies with plenty of grindrails, bowls, and stairs.  Most importantly, it gives them a place where they are expected to scuff up with their boards and bikes, unlike the curb in the True Value Hardware lot. 

The park has also been host to the Cali Am Jam Skateboarding series. The event, which has attracted top amateur skateboarders such as Miles Silvas, Jacob Walder, and Zach “Ducky” Covacs, showcases skaters and encourages kids to stay active. 

The obstacles that create joy among the skateboarding community at the Patterson Skate Park are all credited to Wally Hollyday, an award-winning designer and building firm that specializes in planning and building custom concrete skate and BMX parks. 

Before reaching completion, this park was seven years in the making and cost approximately $727,400. 

However, this cost has proved to be every little bit worth it for young skaters throughout Patterson.  

The free skate park, located at 1025 West Las Palmas Avenue, is open 7 days a week. The park closes at 11 p.m., with lights out at 10:45.