Knoxville Skatepark

Sk8 or die! The Knoxville Skatepark opened Jan. 31 in Tyson Park, to the relief of skateboarders, rollerbladers and BMX bikers who are already breaking in its ramps, rails and stairs with grinds and kick flips.

The 15,000 square-foot park boasts a flow bowl, a banked bowl, a concrete pool and a street course, which seemed to be the most popular when Knoxville Voice visited, perhaps because the street was the only available skating space until recently. For every railslide that was executed, someone else would bail — good thing helmets are mandatory.

“The best thing about it is just that it’s here because we haven’t had one for so long,” says Zack Widgren, 19, who’s been skating for six years.

For the less adventurous or those without health insurance to pay for any broken bones, there’s a bleacher section to watch the action from the sidelines, and there’s plenty of action to be witnessed. The only thing missing were the girls on wheels — if Friday was any indication, it’s time for the ladies to drop in on the sausage party.

The park is free and open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. currently, with plans to extend the hours during warmer weather. Later, skater.