Skate Raleigh officially broke ground on downtown Raleigh's first skate park on Wednesday, March 22. Located at the future Smoky Hollow Parkalong Capital Boulevard, Conlon Family Skatepark will be for skaters and bikers of all ages and levels — and it will be the first thing people see driving into downtown.

"The design is sort of like an enhanced City Plaza," Board President Stephen Mangano told RALtoday. "We want it to be like a second backyard to Raleigh."

Over the next two months, the now vacant concrete lot near Smoky Hollow will be transformed into a street-style skate park designed by New Line Skateparks. After entering the park from Dortch Street, skaters and spectators will be greeted with 11,000 sqft of refinished asphalt and concrete, decked out with stairs, rails, ramps, and box jumps. Bonus: Expect food trucks to post up.

"We're giving people a safe and accessible place to engage with one of the most popular sports in the world," Executive Director Cody Charland said.

Site plans for the Conlon Family Skatepark. | Courtesy of Skate Raleigh

The base park will cost $300,000, with a possibility for expansion if $125,000 more is raised. The addition could include a 10,000-sqft section dedicated to BMX.

Completion of the skate park is slated for May — once it opens, it will operate for two years until construction begins on Smoky Hollow Park. Although the skate park is temporary, Skate Raleigh is working with the City of Raleigh to identify possible locations for permanent skate parks in and around downtown. Yes, multiple parks.

Skate Raleigh is hosting a fundraising event featuring food, music, and art auctions on Sunday, April 16 at Raleigh Union Station. Tickets start at $40. We'll be there for the aerial bike stunts.