ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The ribbon was officially cut Thursday for the opening of the ROC City Skatepark downtown, a project that has been in the works for years.

The 26,000 square foot park is located under and next to the Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge.

Despite the pandemic, work continued and met the fall opening date originally set.

Local skaters say it's not just a place for physical activity.

"For me the mental health aspect of this is not talked about enough," said Dave Raffa of Rochester. "For kids to be able to come downtown, adults, anyone, to come down here at 7 a.m., just get their riding in, anyone who skates will tell you, if they can't get out to skate, they're just bound up like a ball. They've got to get it."

Construction took nearly a year to complete. It's one of many projects being done as part of the city's Roc the Riverway Initiative.