All skaters on deck: New skate park opens Saturday in Polo

POLO – Skateboarders have a new place to shred.

Birdland Skatepark opens at noon Saturday at 112 E. Mason St. The Pinecricker Cafe will join in the celebration by providng food and drinks.

“Anything that gives the kids a place to have fun and not get in trouble is a good thing,” ​said Pinecricker owner Kathy Wragg, 51, of Polo.

The skate park is a part of an ongoing renovation of one of the city’s oldest buildings. Developer Jim O’Connor has said he plans also to open a skateboard shop, with apparel, parts and a repair shop, as well as a juice bar, café and patio.

The park has features for all skill levels.

Skaters can go off the 4-foot deep end of the bowl, or try the shallower, 3-foot deep end. There’s also a 7-foot-high extension, a small quarter pipe, an A-frame rail, and a bank.

Birdland’s hours will echo the Oregon Park District – dawn-to-dusk, 7 days a week.

At some point, O’Connor may install lightis to keep it open until 10:30 p.m., although, to make curfew, kids younger than 18 would have to leave the park at 10.

O’Connor also has assured city leaders that he will have liability insurance and an on-site monitor to enforce the rules.

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Find Birdland Skate Shop on Facebook and Twitter for updates and more information.