Best spot to carve with the pros

Sacramento's rich skateboarding culture dates back to the early '80s, when official, dedicated skate areas operated between levels of scarce to nonexistent. And skateboarders who went rogue were either ticketed by police or, in some cases, arrested, according to 28th and B Street Skate Park staff member, camp instructor and professional skateboarder Matt Rodriguez.

He recalls a time when a then-empty plot of land at 19th and R streets was repurposed into a local skate park by a crew of skateboarders, who cleaned the area of debris, poured concrete and eventually earned the support of the city. But it was short-lived. In the end, the land was sold, and it now houses a busy grocery store and shopping plaza. On the flip side, it also led the city to open the 28th and B Street Skate Park near Sutter’s Landing Regional Park.

For a $3 admission fee, any skateboard, Razor scooter or pair of roller skates (sorry, no bikes) can glide and grind on every curb, half-pipe and rail built by longtime skateboarders who paved the way for the indoor skate park.

“When it comes to skating, the more different types of terrain you have to ride, the more fun,” Rodriguez says. “There’s a good variety over here. It’s a homegrown-style park.”

For the past 17 years, Rodriguez has spent time skating inside the large warehouse. He also worked as one of the park’s instructors, guiding the city’s next generation of skateboarders at various skill levels.

When school’s on break during the spring, summer and winter seasons, young and eager skaters ages 5- to 18-years-old are taught the basics of proper foot placement and push technique, while also learning about the roots of the sport in California during a five-day camp.

“It’s super fun getting to know all the kids and see who’s up and coming. We like to tell them stories of where skating comes from and how it’s not always about learning new tricks,” he says. “It’s about being self-propelled and awakening your individuality, and learning that skateboarding is, first and foremost, a culture with a long history.” 20 28th Street, (916) 494-8724, www.cityofsacramento.org/28andB.