HOUSTON -- Houston's newest skate park located off of Kuykendahl and Rankin is big. Really big: more than 78,000 square feet of concrete. It's now the largest skate park in North America.
"I relocated from Louisiana for this," said Doug Lejeune.
"I've been waiting for about three years, today's finally the day," said Francois Lister.
It's a skateboarders' mecca. Something skateboarders say was long overdue in this part of Houston. Best of all, it's absolutely free.
"It's kind of like having a new car," said Lejeune. "It's going to take me a while to figure it all out."
While skateboarders enjoyed their day on the inside, people on the outside were not happy. They ride two wheels, and they aren't allowed to use the park.
About two dozen protesters chanted, and their voices echoed throughout the park.
BMXers want to use the park too.
"It's like having the love that you can't touch, talk to, that you can't kiss, this is our passion," said Desmond Startin, with Houston
United BMXers.
Bikes aren't allowed inside Spring Skate Park. Officials say it's just not safe to mix bikes with high flying skateboards.
"There is a certain amount of danger when you mix other equipment with skateboards," said Sally Bradford, executive director of the Greenspoint Redevelopment Authority.
Inside the skate park, skateboarders agreed. The park belongs to them.
"I think it's great they can't use it," said Lejeune. "Waving a sign is not going to get you in the park. Go build your own."
The Greenspoint Redevelopment Authority says a new BMX Park is in the works. But with three million tax dollars already spent to build this new skate park, BMXers say it's a waste, why not save millions and learn to share instead.
