Owens Field Skate Park opens earlier than planned

Everyone was happy at the grand opening of the Owens Field Skate Park, but none more than the 100 or so enthusiastic skaters who swooped their way down the street snake run, did an “ollie” in the fun bowl, and landed a “kickturn” in the kidney bowl.

It’s been a long three years for skateboard enthusiasts. Their skate park was demolished in 2007 when Dreher High School built a track facility in its place. And although the former skating area was “lame,” it was better than nothing, said the boarders.

“That place was nothing compared to this one,” said Caleb Brown, 15, as he waited his turn on the sidelines at the March 6 grand opening. “It had random ramps and stuff just put up everywhere. But at least we had one.”

After the park closed, the kids had no choice but to use public parking lots, garages, and shopping centers to get their skate fix. The police, however, weren’t cool with that.

“The concept of skateboarding, I think, is freedom,” Brown said. “Having the cops give you tickets, arrest you, and take your skateboard away from you is not freedom.”

But that’s all in the past, thanks to the work of Pour It Now and its leader, Ryan Cockrell, as well as several current and former Columbia City Council members. Cockrill formed the group in 2006 “because we wanted the city to recognize the urgency and the need to have a skate park.”

Through his work with then–councilwomen Anne Sinclair and Tameika Issac Devine, Cockrell was able to keep the issue on the front burner. In June of 2008, the city council approved a $500,000 allocation from the city’s hospitality tax revenue, and construction began last June. The 15,000–square–foot park was completed ahead of time and under budget. City officials estimate the total cost at around $450,000.

The ceremony at the skate park on March 6 was just a formality. It had been unofficially open for several weeks. “They just couldn’t keep them out of there once it was done,” Cockrell said.

He and the other boarders credit California– based Wally Hollyday for the excellent design of the park, and Hollyday, who was on hand for the grand opening, said he was also pleased.

“Everyone is using all of the parts of it, which is a really good sign,” said Hollyday, who has designed hundreds of skate parks around the country. “The great thing about skaters is that they always surprise you, and I am seeing things here that I didn’t even envision when I designed it.”

“It’s amazing,” said Cockrell. “Wally really listened to the kids and what they wanted.”

For more, see Jean’s Journal www.TheColumbiaStar.com