Nearly 300 kids rolled, tricked and jumped for a total of 1,100 days at the Albert Lea Skate Park during its inaugural year, members of the Albert Lea Skate Park Association said.

Tuesday, December 11, 2001

Nearly 300 kids rolled, tricked and jumped for a total of 1,100 days at the Albert Lea Skate Park during its inaugural year, members of the Albert Lea Skate Park Association said.

&uot;I think there’s a definite usage for the park,&uot; said association co-chairman Paul Evenson. &uot;I think it demonstrates that there is a need for the park.&uot;

The skate park began at a temporary location on a set of tennis courts near the city pool in May, then moved to its permanent spot near the city beach in September. The park closed for the season Sept. 30.

Now that the park is established in its permanent location, backers will focus their efforts on expanding the equipment offerings and establishing a more reliable source of adult supervision at the park, Evenson said.

The association relied on volunteers to staff the park this year, which became a hardship to arrange, he said. If the association can raise enough money, its goal is to employ someone to supervise the park.

That will mean another fund-raising drive for the park. Supporters raised $22,000 from businesses and individuals last year to pay for the ramps and other equipment at the park, and now the focus will turn to fund raising again, Evenson said.

After taking suggestions from users, the association also hopes to add new equipment, like a half-pipe, pyramid, grinding rail or tabletop, all of which can be used for different kinds of tricks.

The park last year allowed skateboarders and in-line skaters, and next year will expand its clientele to include BMX bikers. Kids were concerned that bikes could damage the equipment last year, said association founder Stan Sevaldson, but the manufacturer assured the association that the equipment could withstand the added stress.

Next year, the park will be open to skaters one day and bikers on alternating days, Evenson said. &uot;I think the bikers are going to add a lot to our program,&uot; Sevaldson said.

The park charges $5 per day for admission, or $25 for a set of 10 admissions. The money is used to pay for insurance for the park, Evenson said, and may also go toward hiring staff next year.

The park will reopen in mid-May of 2002, Sevaldson said.