Extreme sports enthusiasts of all ages have found a new home away from home at the Knoxville Skate Park .

The complex is a grand example of community efforts orchestrated in response to the recent surge in popularity of extreme sports.

On February 1st, 2008, Mayor Bill Haslam and Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale opened the long awaited park to the public.  Since then it has become one of the most popular attractions at Tyson Park .

The park is open seven days a week, from 8 AM to 9 PM, and is equipped with stadium lights so that people can skate after the sun goes down.

Knoxville Skate Park renovated the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols' Softball field, and spans a grand total of almost 15,000 square feet.

The diversity of terrain throughout the course attracts skateboarders, in line skaters, and bmx-ers alike.  Designed by Wally Hollyday, the course contains banks, ledges, rails, empty swimming pools, Jersey hips and many other areas to perform tricks.

Best of all, the park is completely free to the public!

The skate park's construction costs totaled $537,000.  $200,000 was provided by both the city of Knoxville and Knox County , $100,000 from Lamar Advertising, and $25,000 from the Tony Hawk Foundation .  Local skaters also donated another $12,000.

Fundraising efforts are under way in order to acquire more materials and expand.

"This is going to be a wonderful place for both the young and young-at-heart skateboarders," said Knox County Mayor Ragsdale.