In-line skaters, skateboarders and BMX bikers have a new place to call home.

Railroad Park, a 250-acre recreational facility in Lewisville, will officially open Nov. 2.

The park, located on the east side of Railroad Street between FM 3040 and Business 121, has eight soccer fields, four football fields, four baseball fields, a dog park and a long-awaited skatepark.

“The skatepark was something we were looking into before the land was bought,” said James Kunke, community relations and tourism director. “We know a significant segment of the population uses that as a recreation outlet.”

The Lewisville skatepark has a variety of obstacles including steps, ramps, rails and an in-ground bowl. And it’s free.

No place like home

Nik Stokes, 31, works in marketing at an insurance company in Dallas. But on his own time, he rides freestyle BMX.

“I still do it every day, as much as I can get away with,” he said. “I don’t feel like a 31-year-old when I’m riding my bike. It truly helps keep me young.”

Stokes said the new skatepark will give kids a place to practice their sport, which will not only benefit the kids but also will benefit local businesses.

Now, skaters and bikers will be less likely to jump off stairs and grind on ledges in front of local businesses, Stokes said.

“The professionals all grew up around skateparks,” he said. “What you’re going to find is, the Metroplex is becoming a hotbed for growing skaters and bikers.”

Until now, local skaters and bikers have had to travel to the skateparks in Allen, Irving, Plano, Grapevine and Kennedale. Railroad Park will give them an outlet in their own backyard.

“It will be my home away from home,” Stokes said. “I truly believe I will stop by there every day on my way home from work.”

Safety first

Stokes said his only concern with the skatepark is that once bikers and skaters start crashing, the city will decide the two cannot coexist – and the bikers will get the short end of the stick. Both Stokes and Kunke said people will collide and accidents will happen – it’s just part of action sports.

“But it is not our intent to eliminate one or both groups,” Kunke said.

Kunke said skatepark users tend to self-police, working out their own practice schedules. However, to alleviate tension, the skatepark was designed with the bowl – which is used more often by bikers – at one end of the park, he said.

Lewisville police will be patrolling the skatepark just like any other city park and signs will be posted stating the park’s guidelines, such as no glass or plastic bottles, no smoking and no profanity, Kunke said.

Stokes said it’s up to the skatepark users to keep everything running smoothly.

“If everybody is willing to show respect to the park … we can have this park for years and years and years,” he said.

If you go

Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Nov. 1 through Feb. 28; 8 a.m.-11 p.m. March 1 through Oct. 31
Location: East side of Railroad Street between FM 3040 and Business 121
Admission: Free

• MORE PHOTOS: Local skaters and bikers ride at Lewisville skatepark.

Lindsey Bever is a reporter with neighborsgo and can be reached at 972-436-5551 ext. 3004 or via e-mail at lbever@neighborsgo.com. If you have a story, photo or video you'd like to share, please post it directly on neighborsgo.com.