SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A new skate park is already rolling in big crowds, even though it’s only been open a few days. The sound of wheels hitting concrete has become the new heartbeat of Scranton. With riders young and old shredding, grinding, and testing every inch of fresh pavement.

It’s the sound of freedom on four wheels. At Weston Field, skateboarders are rolling into the weekend, showing off tricks, trading boards, and soaking up the sun on Scranton’s newest concrete playground.

“All we could talk about was how they’re doing this; the anticipation was there. And as soon as they opened it, we were here,” Jessup resident Stephen Welsch told 28/22 News.

Before this park opened, Lackawanna County skaters did not have a place to go. Skaters say they were often kicked off of sidewalks and told to move along.

“We grew up where boards got taken by cops. We were mostly known as degenerates growing up. So to finally be known as a sport and a member of the community,” Gabrielle Norkaitis from Lake Winola said.

That stigma is part of what fueled years of letters, petitions, and persistence. Skaters say this park isn’t just concrete, it’s also a victory.

Local organizations stepping up in times of need

“A concrete park in Scranton is something that we’ve all been fighting for our whole lives. I was a little kid writing letters to the mayor, and now I’m 30 years old, and we finally have it,” Caleb Hartnett, co-owner of Bazaar Skate Shop in Kingston, stated.

Saturday’s Break in the Skate Park event brought dozens of enthusiasts together, with food, music, and even a Halloween costume contest to keep the fall spirit alive.

“It’s amazing. It’s like a therapy session. You come and hang out with all your friends, and you come here, and any problem you have, it just floats away out here,” Welsch continued.

After years of waiting, this community finally has a place where it’s okay to roll, to fall, and to get back up again.

The nearly $1,000,000 skate park was funded entirely through Scranton’s American Rescue Plan funds.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News.