Long Beach, California Hybrid Skatepark, originally uploaded by spohnranchskateparks.

On Sunday, January 17th, the youth of Long Beach, California will officially have a brand new facility where they can exercise their passions and distract themselves from the hardships of living in what 1st District Councilman Robert Garcia called “one of the most dense and poor communities in Long Beach.” The new skatepark, which replaced existing equipment and expanded upon the site’s footprint, is a 8,000 sq. ft. hybrid style skatepark, consisting of TrueRide ramps and pre-cast Spohncrete features.  To see more shots of the skatepark, click the photo above.

Despite some initial community opposition, the skaters and their advocates fought hard to show that a new facility was a much-needed addition to their neighborhood. “One of the first things I told the city manager is that I want to make sure that we build that park, because I’ve seen the power and impact it has had on that community,” Councilman Garcia said. For the vulnerable youth of Long Beach, providing more safe places to skate is a great way to keep them active and out of trouble.

Now with all of the construction and landscaping complete, the new skatepark will be a source of pride for the community and its skaters for decades to come. The park’s official grand opening is set for Sunday, January 17th, at 1pm. The day’s festivities will include professional skating demos and speeches from Councilman Garcia, lead skatepark advocate and former Councilman Mike Donelon, and Mike Vallely, a professional skateboarder and Long Beach native. Councilman Garcia will also announce his plan to name the facility the Michael K. Greene Skatepark after Black Mike, an influential Long Beach local who was shot and killed a few years prior.

Here’s to more positive recreational spaces in the City of Long Beach! RIP Black Mike.