Lincoln officials on Tuesday marked the soft opening of the city’s first in-ground skatepark and announced a new name for the surrounding park space in the South Haymarket.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said the skatepark at Canopy Yard, near 7th and N streets, is now open daily from sunrise to sunset, though temporary closures may occur as construction continues in the area.
The 32,000-square-foot facility includes street and transition-style features such as rails, bowls and quarter pipes, and is designed for a range of non-motorized sports, including skateboarding, biking and scooters.
City officials say the project is part of broader efforts to expand recreation opportunities and attract visitors to the growing Haymarket district.
The mayor also announced “Canopy Yard” as the new name for the nearly 10-acre park previously known as South Haymarket Park. The $25 million project includes plans for a playground, water feature, dog park, pump track and community space.
Phil Burcher, Lincoln Skatepark Association President, thanked the skate community for its fundraising work and its patience.
“I’m looking forward to a bright future for skateboarding and all the other wheeled sports, and to the exciting positive energy this skatepark to bring to Lincoln and region,” Burcher said.
Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross said the skatepark was shaped in part by input from Lincoln’s skate community and is intended to serve users of all skill levels.
The park is being developed through a partnership between the city and the Lincoln Parks Foundation, with funding from public and private sources.