Spaulding, 36, first heard about it 10 years ago while living in Greensboro. He moved to Florida, then came to Durham in 2005. The rumors continued, which led to a business decision in 2007.

"That was the catalyst for doing the shop in the first place," said Spaulding, owner of Ujamaa Boardhouse, a North Mangum Street skate shop located blocks from the skate park. "I knew the park would be coming."

The Triangle's newest public skate park will open today at Durham Central Park.

The $350,000 facility, funded through impact fees and 2005 general obligation bonds, is a 10,000-square-foot area consisting of street and transitional skating elements. Features include a floating quarter pipe, launch boxes, a step-up back, three sets of seven step stairs with handrails, a street clam and an eight-inch trog bowl.

Maintenance costs are expected to be up to $4,000 a year. After 10 years, add $3,000 more per year for concrete repairs, said Cynthia Booth, Durham Parks and Recreation spokeswoman. Like other city parks, the facility will be open from dawn to dusk and will be unmonitored - though the park is across the street from a police station.

The park satisfies the department's desire to provide custom parks for citizens and a home for local skaters. They pushed for the park - even showing up at city council meetings with skateboards in hand, Spaulding said.

Mayor Bill Bell says the park could bring extra revenue to the city. While passing by the park a few weeks ago, he came across a skater from Raleigh who was already impressed by the then unfinished facility.

"You'd be surprised at the people who [will] come to use it," Bell remembered the skater saying. "Even in Raleigh we have people coming as far away as Greenville. Not only will people come here, they will spend money to eat."

Former City Council candidate Donald Hughes thinks otherwise.

"That's an investment that will not generate one cent of revenue for the City of Durham," he said during an Oct. 27 forum at N.C. Central University. "We cannot afford to invest money in projects that do not benefit the masses."

Downtown Durham, especially around the courthouse and the Durham Civic Center, is a popular place for skaters because of the benches and guardrails - elements that were included in the skate park.

The facility will not only improve the skill level of skaters, but it will keep them in shape and out of trouble, Spaulding said.

"I think it's exactly what they need with all the gang violence," he said. "The kids need something fresh and new that's really going to spark them."