Skaters unite to shred up Corpus Christi's new West Guth Skate Park

The sounds of grinds, slides and the occasional crash took over most of West Guth Park Wednesday.

Skaters of all ages, and some even from San Antonio, were all en masse at Corpus Christi's latest skatepark in the Calallen/Annaville area.

The new skatepark was part of the city's 2020 bond plan to enhance West Guth Park. The project cost about $2 million.

The other two skateparks in Corpus Christi are located at Cole Park and Wranosky Park in Flour Bluff.

City Manager Peter Zanoni said the new skatepark helps increase recreation, play options and equitable access for skateboarders.

West Guth Park is an 88-acre community park that offers a pool, playground areas, a pavilion, a hike and bike trail, a 20-hole disc golf course and a popular duck pond.

"This skatepark is the newest in the city," Zanoni said to a crowd. "This type of flatter structure that kind of resembles a plaza or campus is what we wanted to give our skaters."

Zanoni mentioned there is a strong interest for a new skatepark to be constructed on North Padre Island, but that's still in the works.

With a strong tie to skateboarding, City Councilman Everett Roy said he is looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy the skatepark.

When his son, Rivers, was 9, he joined a skateboarding competition aboard the USS Lexington and placed second. His son now lives in Los Angeles and still skates.

"The thing that's unique about our new skatepark is this type will not just be utilized by skateboarders in the area," Roy said. "You will get people from all over to come and check this out, and that's awesome. It says a lot about our growing community and a lot about what we're doing."

The new skatepark is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and is located at 9700 Up River Road.

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at [email protected] or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi's West Guth Skate Park opens Wednesday