Tony Hawk opens new skate park in Detroit

DETROIT (WJBK) - Skateboard mogul Tony Hawk is bringing a new skate park to Detroit. The park officially opens on Wednesday, August 16.

The park is temporary, and will be open until January, when construction starts on the Monroe Blocks multi-building, mixed-use development. The park includes six skate-able elements inspired by Detroit, as well as a viewing area for spectators.

The skate park is designed so that it can be moved to another location afterward. It was built by George Leichtweis from Modern Skate and Surf, a well-known suburban Detroit skate shop.

"It was great working with Tony because he's an icon in the skateboarding industry," Leichtweis said. "I've been building skateboard ramps for about 30 years so it was great to have his input."

It is also an art installation in collaboration with artist Ryan McGinness. The whole park and art installation will be known as Wayfinding.

The park is located at 100 Monroe Avenue, about a block away from Campus Martius Park.

A dedication ceremony took place Tuesday morning at the site of the skate park.