Cincinnati's first official skatepark is unofficially open.
Two days before an Aug. 27 grand opening event, the $950,000 Camp Washington Skatepark was already swarming with skaters who showed up early to jump over the coney dog and ride the walls of the Cincinnati-branded bowl.
"They could not wait," said Daniel Betts, director of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, the new park's operator.
In reaction, the city took down protective fencing around the 12,000-square-foot site early, even as crews worked on landscaping and final fixes.
Leaders of the Cincinnati Skatepark Project, key voices in its design, were among those initiating the park.
That group's founder, Evan Walker, said he was impressed with its mix of features.
"It's good for someone
who's young and just getting started – and for someone who's old, just trying to stay with it," Walker said.
'Cincinnati needs this,' skating advocates say
Cincinnati Skatepark Project began pressing for a skatepark in Cincinnati city limits about three years ago, its leaders said.
With a large population of possible users – people on skateboards, BMX bikes, rollerblades, quad-wheel skates and even scooters – "Cincinnati needs this," said Randy Browne, a design consultant with the group.
Skating is mostly a solo activity, one that doesn't require a team, a coach or much equipment, group leaders said.
As such, skate parks provide a "third place" some skaters seek, said Gabrielle Larkin, community engagement director.
"Skating gives a home to people who feel like they don't have a space where they fit in," she said.
Added Browne: "It really does bring people together. It builds community."
$950K price tag covered by four sources
The new park is part of the Camp Washington Recreation Area on Stock Avenue, just off Colerain Avenue. It sits next to a playground, pool house and outdoor pool. Benches, paths, lights and gardens are planned for the front and back sides of the skatepark.
The $950,000 price tag came from four sources, according tocity documents:
- The city of Cincinnati provided $550,000. Cincinnati City Council appropriated $250,000 of that in 2023, adding $300,000 more in 2025 from a city infrastructure fund.
- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources contributed $300,000.
- The Devou Good Foundation and Haile Foundation each provided $50,000.
Asked about that investment, Betts said the new park is "huge for the city, huge for the region."
"Skate parks are among the amenities that a fast-forward-thinking community should be thinking about," he said.
'Easter eggs' include coney dog, with nods to 'Shapes' and 'D.O.'
Indianapolis-based park designer Hunger Skateparks loaded the site with "Easter eggs" – little surprises, some for everyone, some mostly for skaters.
The coney dog is for all. It sits between two ramps, with a gap on either side. And yes, it's already known as a "glizzy gap," a nod to the newish name for hot dogs. A deep bowl should appeal to a range of visitors, too, edged with a capital "C" design.
A red and blue platform is more for in-the-know local skaters. It evokes the design of "Circumspect," an outdoor concrete sculpture created by local artist Stuart Fink. Located at Fifth and Elm streets from 1984 to 2023, the site become a skaters' haven known as "Shapes."
Likewise for a section called "Doctor's Office," (D.O. for short), which resembles a Clifton parking lot near a former doctor's office that still attracts skaters.
Walker, the Skatepark Project founder, likes that the Camp Washington park includes something for everyone.
"We've got curbs for old guys like me," he said. "We've got rails for younger people."
Ribbon-cutting menu to include coneys
The Camp Washington Skatepark will be open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., free to all.
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission's ribbon-cutting event is Aug. 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval is expected, along with members of City Council and other city officials.
Camp Washington Chili will provide coneys.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati to open $950K skatepark featuring giant cheese coney
