Ramped Out

MON 6/14
While visiting the Skate Park at Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah this summer, don't start meditating at the foot of the 3-sided pyramid. The structure is made to withstand leaps and grinds that make many a skate rat with time to kill salivate. In fact the skate park is full of rails, specially engineered stairs, radical barricades, ramps, and curbs that bring skaters from all around the county to jam on the asphalt. The only public skate park in Miami-Dade, the park recently reopened under county management to skateboarders and inline skaters, just in time for the summer. Look for the 3-and-4-foot quarter-pipes to send speedsters grabbing air. Check out the great feats of balance as riders grind rails without the cops busting them. Starting today, the park, at 401 E. 65th St., is extending its hours for the summer months, with skating time stretching from noon to 8:00 p.m. daily. Admission is $3 for a 2-hour session and $5 for equipment rental. Get there early, though; each session is open to only 25 skaters at a time. Call 305-685-8389. -- By Juan Carlos Rodriguez

Dashing Day
Meet features family, speed

FRI 6/11
Run, Jesse, run! That's right, coach Jesse Holt and the youngsters from the Miami Northwest Express Track Club will once again be hosting, and running, the 29th Annual Northwest Track and Field Classic. The meet draws nearly 3000 athletes ages 7 to 70 from as far away as Jamaica and Canada to dash, hurdle, jump, throw, relay, vault, and even racewalk. Talk about all-inclusive: This year has the special 4x100 Mother Relay Race for the mothers or grandmothers of participating team members. The meet starts at 4:00 p.m. today and 9:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Traz Powell Stadium, Miami Dade College North Campus, 11380 NW 27th Ave. Admission is $2. Call 305-836-2409. -- By John Anderson