Yesterday, Mayor Rick Kriseman, City Councilmember Gina Driscoll, former councilperson Karl Nurse, St. Pete Skatepark Alliance Jay Turner and other local luminaries presided upon the official grand opening of the new, huge and awesome St. Petersburg Regional Skatepark at 600 12th St. S. in the ‘Burg’s Campbell Park. The result of several years’ lobbying and planning, the park features a 12-foot-deep bowl (reportedly the deepest in the southeast) along with a snake run, street area, shallower bowl and — well, pretty much everything a skater or BMX rider needs to get rad and potentially get really, really hurt.

Hundreds came out to ride, hang and compete in several contests on a beautiful Saturday morning, despite one of the first really blistering days of the season (it’s got shade!). CL photographer Carrie Waite was there — check out the great photos.

Credit: Carrie Waite
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite
Ribbon cutting ceremony. Credit: Carrie Waite
St. Pete City Councilperson Gina Driscoll gets her roll on with help from Courtney Block. Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite
St. Pete Skatepark Alliance’s Jay Turner. Credit: Carrie Waite
BMX best trick contest. Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite
BMX best trick contest. Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite
Parks and Recreation Director Mike Jefferis. Credit: Carrie Waite
St. Pete Skatepark Alliance’s Nick Nicks. Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite
Credit: Carrie Waite