...skate and rollerblade.
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...to the editor.
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...yourself or a friend.
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...this site to a friend.
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editor's note: |
 North Port
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* Outdoor: 'Crete
* Free
* Vert / Trannie / Street
* Rating: Team Pain-ful
We've been talking to Tim Payne and his notorious crew of park-building banditos [Team Pain - 407.695.8215] for a while now. When we scheduled out first ever trip to Florida, Linda Payne kicked down a couple of recommendations, including the fine North Port skatepark - thanks Linda!
Wow... looks *real* fun. At 15,000 sq ft, it's a toned-down and teched-up version of Cali's Ripon skatepark [also a Team Pain production]. Big features, vert sections, a crazy bowl w/ a couple of blast worthy hips, flyouts... ewwwwweeee, she's a winner!
Only real drawbacks [besides Florida's sticky-hot weather] are the Pentagon influenced rules and regulations. Yes, pads are mandatory. Yes, the park monitor enforces that rule. Yes, there's a big fence and limited skate hours. Yes, the police live right across the street in case you need a beating, etc. And finally, yes, if you're under 18, you will have to drag your mommy down there to do the whole waiver-rooni bullshit. They haven't begun random drug testing or DNA sampling yet, but I hear they're working on it...
I *am* being sarcastic on those last two points, but these regulations are f**king crazy! It's easier for a kid to buy a hand gun than to push some wood around a park!?! Just let the kids skate!!!
Directions: Coming from Sarasota take Interstate 75 south to North Port. Exit at River road and head south. Make a left [east] onto Highway 41, and take another left [north] on North Port Boulevard. There should be a police station on your right, and just past the "Pork-Store," on the left, is the skatepark!
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...scroll down for pics
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