Politics & Government
Gallery: Tony Hawk Thrills Long Beach Skate Crowd
A very large audience turned out Saturday for the opening of McBride Skatepark, a central city Redevelopment Agency project that got money from the legendary skater's foundation.
The Birdman landed in Long Beach Saturday, and the skaters who had only seen him on Tony Hawk video games were excited: he'd come to celebrate the opening of the city's newest skateboard park, for which his non-profit granted support. (The adults seemed surprised he was so approachable).
Hawk and other skateboarders and BMX "christened" the skateboard bowls with exhibitions. It was one of 493 grants the Tony Hawk Foundation says it has issued in support of free public skateboard parks. McBride Skatepark was brimming with people Saturday morning during exhibition rides and some words from the Tony Hawk Foundation founder. Community activist Mike Donelon was said to be a driving force behind getting the park built. Meanwhile, the skateboarder tweeted xxx.
Hawk and some other skating and BMX bike stars were eagerly awaited for an exhibition at about 10:45 a.m. at McBride Skateboarding Park, for which the Tony Hawk Foundation has partnered with the non-profit ASK Long Beach youth advocacy group.
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