Renovated skate park opens in Shafter

The city celebrated its new skate park with an opening on Friday evening, welcoming a large group of skaters who couldn't wait to try out the new complex.

There had been a skate park at the location, on East Euclid Avenue, that was created in 2015. The facility closed in 2020 when the equipment was vandalized.

Thanks to several concerned residents, including Councilmember Gilbert Alvarado and former Councilman Cesar Lopez, the new park is now a reality. The facility has brand new equipment, lighting and a landscaped area that should attract skaters and residents..

The project is the result of a $750,000 grant received by the city from the state. In order to take advantage of the grant, the project had to be completed by July 2024.

Making local skaters happy led to concrete obstacles and equipment in place of prefabricated equipment that is popular in some parks. Concrete requires the least amount of maintenance and allows the most amount of creativity when it comes to design. It's the lowest cost of ownership when it comes to skateparks.

"What we want to feel under our feet is concrete," said Chase Scharf, an avid skateboarder from Bakersfield who has been skating for half of his life, and who has tried many of the parks in the county.

Other skaters agreed with the new display and are excited to start using the skate park, allowing them a safe and local place to skate.