At long last, Toronto skaters have a plaza to call their own. This past Saturday marked the official opening of the Ashbridge's skate park. The park has been in the works for at least five years now, thanks to the local volunteer efforts and campaigning of the STSA (Southeast Toronto Skateboard Association) and financial support from the City of Toronto. Ground-work began on the park well over a year ago, but due to various issues with the earth not settling properly (or something like that) concrete was not poured until this spring.

Busy day at the park.

Skaters have been straight-up swarming the park for months now, skating whichever sections has been skate-able as soon as they were finished. But a few weeks ago now, the construction workers cleared out and the park was 100% open to skate. The design comes from Jim Barnum and Spectrum Skatepark Creations, along with plenty of input from locals. You'll recognize the inspiration for many of the features (like the big three ledge/stair case set-up and the Commerce Court round ledge), and the park overall is dream-like for street skaters: plenty of ledges, stairs, flat-banks, rails and manual pads to session, with an excellent back-and-forth flow; plus a few quirky elements to make things interesting.

In case you're already worrying about ABDs at the park, you can scratch Varial Heel Bluntslide to Fakie on the 5-stair off the list, courtesy of Jordan Hoffart. Gils sequence.

In spite of menacing cloudy skies on Saturday, the weather co-operated and a big session and multiple best-trick contests went down, plus all of the pre-requisite speeches from politicians. SBC Skateboard Magazine hosted the day, inviting out nearly everyone from the local skate industry you could imagine, so tons of product was given out along with some cash for those who deserved it. With so many features in the park, it was nearly impossible to keep an eye on who was skating what and when, but a keen eye revealed everyone from Ontario locals TJ Rogers and Lee Yankou to west coast visitors Jordan Hoffart and Cory Wilson ripping the park (with dozens of names in between).

SBC's Steve Jarrett giving his shout outs on the mic.

Nothing ever gets done without a ribbon cutting.

The first of several best trick contests.

Bobby Dekyzer claiming what's rightfully his from SBC Skate's Owen Woytowich.

Check out the Push.ca Skatepark Directory to get directions to the Ashbridge's skatepark. And arrive early or show up during school hours if you want to beat the crowds.

Trent Matley, Switch Wallie. Gils sequence.

Even the smaller kids got a shot with a best trick for prizes on the three-stair.

Jordan Hoffart, Front Blunt on the cut out wall.

Dan Arget, rock 'n roll on the noodle, the recliner, the curve...no one could figure out what to call it.

Dan Arget, Frontside Noseslide on the 11-stair best trick.

SBC Skate's Owen Woytowich lobs a t-shirt bomb into the crowd of kids.