Teens enjoy Wheaton skate park's opening day

Kellen Edmier and a group of his friends were first in line when the Rail skate park opened for the season Saturday at Clocktower Commonsin Wheaton.

"I was the first person to step in," the Wheaton 14-year-old said, boasting to a group of teenagers practicing skateboard and scooter tricks on a cloudy and misty afternoon.

The Rail, situated between the northernmost end of Naperville Road and the Illinois Prairie Path, is close to Kellen's home and has all the ramps, half-pipes and grinding rails necessary for skating. So naturally, he was excited for its opening day.

"That's why we came here even though it's raining," he said.

Between "ollies" on skateboards and "bri flips" on scooters, Kellen and his friends dreamed up what they'd want in the perfect skate park.

Some said it'd be bigger or open later. The Rail is 12,000 square feet, and until June 8, it's open from 3:30 p.m. to dusk Monday through Friday and noon to dusk Saturday and Sunday. It has areas designed for beginning skaters and those with more advanced skills.

Kellen and another scooter rider, 13-year-old Luke Covey of Wheaton, competed to be the first to do tricks like inward bri flips or bunny hops.

Like his friend, Luke said he wanted to make the most of the season's first full day of skating.

Also opening Saturday for the first time in 2012 was the Prairie Path Minigolf Course at Clocktower Commons. The course is open from 3:30 p.m. to dusk Monday through Friday and noon to dusk Saturday and Sunday until June 8.