Golden Gate Park’s Waller Street Skate Park celebrated the site’s $218,000 makeover. The updated park includes an inclusive design that honors the skate park’s street skateboarding roots. The project was spearheaded by local skaters, community groups, and skate shop owners including Justin Marks of Low Key Skate Shop, who worked to establish the skate park more than a decade ago.
@sfrecpark via Instagram
Waller Skate Park was established in 2011 and makes SF the first U.S. city to transform a decommissioned street into a permitted skate park. The area previously served as a parking lot and an under-used section of Waller Street.
Notable improvements to the site include high-quality asphalt repaving topped with an acrylic overlay, which is ideal for skating. Some of the other elements like k-rails, granite blocks, and curbs are also a boon to the skate park.
As a nod to SF’s urban skate history, the granite ledges at Waller come from Market Street where the City fought a constant battle to prevent skaters from utilizing them over the years. Now, these same ledges are getting a second life at Waller Skate Park, salvaged from SF Public Works and with all of the anti-skate elements removed. 
@sfrecpark via Instagram
An October 25th celebration marked the site’s official transition from an informal gathering spot to an officially sanctioned skate park. Funding was largely provided through the 2012 Clean & Safe Park Bond’s Community Opportunity Fund, which was approved by SF voters in 2012.
“To work on this project with the city was an absolute dream. This is the future of skateboarding. You are witnessing it here and now. Any city can do this,” commented Ashley Rehfeld of DLX, an SF-based skate shop.
Waller Street Skate Park is located at the corner of Waller and Stanyan in Golden Gate Park. When it reopens the new park will be free to use and open to all skill levels.
Featured image: @sfrecpark via Instagram