The much anticipated Grand Opening of the WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza is Saturday, June 21. Official events begin at 1 p.m., but there will be plenty of activity at the park starting much earlier. See the complete schedule, below.
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The Grand Opening day events will demonstrate that the new venue is a great location not only for skateboarding, but for a variety of other activities, as well. Beginning at 10 a.m., Eugene Recreation’s Outdoor Program will provide free skateboard lessons for all ages at the skatepark. At the same time, the Safe Routes to Schools Program will provide free learn-to-bike lessons at the traffic garden on Jefferson St. Bikes, skateboards and helmets will be provided. Parents must be present to sign a waiver for youth under 18 years.
Also at 10 a.m., the City of Eugene and KIDSPORTS will present the first annual Washington Jefferson Street 3-on-3 Invitational Basketball Tournament for boys and girls in 5th - 8th grades. Sign up with KIDSPORTS. The entry fee is $20 per team; proceeds support the KIDSPORTS’ Scholarship Fund.
While, as the basketballs are bouncing in the 3-on-3 tournament, the bike wheels will be squealing at the north end of the urban plaza in the First Annual Polo Trolls Bike Polo Tournament presented by Eugene Bike Polo. Teams from Oregon, California, and Washington will compete in a double-elimination tournament to see who is the biggest Polo Troll!
The dedication ceremony officially opening the park will be held at 1 p.m. while the events listed above continue and others commence, such as KidZone , a FREE Helmet Give-Away (while supplies last), food and retail booths and community organization booths offering interactive fun, booth bingo and give-aways,
Beginning at 1:30, attendees can play drop-in horseshoes while they listen to music by Sol Seed. Kidical Mass will lead a bike ride from the skatepark through the Whitaker neighborhood beginning at 2 p.m. and the skatepark is available for a free skate until 3 p.m.
There’s live music by Lafa Taylor at 3 p.m. and at 3:30, experienced skaters will demonstrate their skills. A skate competition sponsored by Tactics Boardshop will be held from 4-7 p.m. And at 4:30 p.m., Sol Seed will again perform live music until 6:30 when Strange Vice will take the stage for a live performance that will wrap up the celebration at 8 p.m.
The WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza is largest covered and lighted public skatepark in the country. A strong public-private partnership between the City of Eugene, Eugene Parks Foundation, Skaters for Eugene Skateparks and the Rotary Club of Eugene raised more than $335,000 in private funding to help make the vision a reality. As a result the community has a new, versatile venue for everyone to enjoy.
Walk, roll, ride, or skate to the grand opening. Parking will be limited. LTD will provide free bus rides to the park on June 21 for anyone with a skate deck or bike! Routes 40, 51 & 52 all serve the park, which is located at 1st and Jefferson streets. Bike valet parking will be available.
WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza Grand Opening
Schedule of Events
10 am-12 pm Learn to Bike Lessons - Jefferson Street, south of the railroad tracks
10 am – 1 pm Learn to Skate Lessons - Skatepark
10 am-6 pm 3-on-3 Hoops Tournament Sponsored by KidSports - Basketball Courts, middle
10 am-6 pm Bike Polo Tournament - Basketball Courts, north end; For more information, contact Jordan Bailey at 503-333-9581.
1-8 pm Food Carts, Retail and Community Booths - Jefferson Street
1-8 pm Information Table, Booth Bingo Cards and Prizes - Northwest corner of park
1-8 pm Dedication Ceremony - Urban Plaza
1-8 pm KidZone Activities - west end of park, near Jefferson Street
1– 8pm FREE Helmet Give-Away* (while supplies last) Jefferson Street, south end
1:30-2:30 pm Live Band, Sol Seed Main stage, Jefferson Street
1:30-3:30 pm Open Skate - Skatepark
1:30-5pm Drop-in Horseshoes - Horseshoe pits, north of the skatepark along 1st Ave
2 pm Kidical Mass - Family Friendly Bike Ride - Whiteaker Neighborhood
(Meet at Jefferson Street near the main stage)
3-5pm KNRQ Live Remote - Jefferson Street, north end
3-4:30 pm Lafa Taylor Live Band - Main stage, Jefferson Street
3:30-4 pm Skate Demonstration - Skatepark
4-7 pm Skate Competition Sponsored by Tactics Boardshop - Skatepark
5-6:30 pm Live Band – Sol Seed - Main stage, Jefferson Street
7-8pm Live Band – Strange Vine - Main stage, Jefferson Street
*Helmets will be give-away details
• One helmet per person
• Must be present
• Must be 17 or younger
• Will be asked to sign a pledge stating they will wear the helmet and not sell it
• Limited supply – 250 helmets; first come first served