Post by bermshot on Jun 25, 2006 8:17:11 GMT -5
morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/2834218.shtml
WATERVILLE -- After years of planning and fundraising, the South End of the city has a brand new skate park.
The facility, at Green Street Park off Water and Sherwin streets, was made possible through donations by area businesses and individuals, as well as donated labor.
"This is, legally, the only place you can skate in Waterville," said Mike Levenseller, who headed up the effort to build the park.
On Tuesday afternoon, about a dozen youths of all ages took to the park with skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes. They zipped down ramps, jumped, twisted, turned and started all over again.
"I come here every day," said Brett Dyer, 14.
He and Mark Lorentsen, 19, said they like the fact that they can use the facility, free of charge.
"It's good to have a place like this," Lorentsen said. "It gets kids off the streets."
So far, about $50,000 has gone into the park, which features an 80-by-60-foot skating surface, a center pad, launching ramps and grind rails. The park was designed by SPC Skate Park, of Kennebunkport, with input from youths.
"We still need about $3,000 to complete it, with fencing and benches," said Levenseller, who is chairman of the South End Park Association.
Those wanting to donate to the park effort may send contributions to the South End Park Association, c/o Dead River Co., P.O. Box 415, Waterville, ME 04901.
Levenseller, of Belgrade, is district manager for Dead River. He served on the park association with Anne Palmer, Ann Beverage, James Toner, City Councilor Dana W. Sennett, D-Ward 4, Cyndi Derosiers and Eva Grover. He said the association hopes to make other improvements to the park, such as improving playground equipment, walking trails and benches.
"This is a committee that's committed to doing more than just the skate park," he said.
The park would not have been possible without a major contribution by Walter Simcock, whose former company, Colonial Distributors, once was located in the South End, according to Levenseller. Dead River Co., The local Rotary and Lions clubs and others also contributed generously, he said.
"The rest of it was raised by the kids in the community," he said.
The Home Depot will help with the fencing, he said.
Levenseller was the impetus behind building the skate park. About five years ago he and a delivery manager for Dead River were delivering oil in the South End and passed Green Street Park, a flat, grassy, city-owned park. Levenseller, whose son, Mike, was an avid skateboarder, recalled saying that the city needed something for youths.
"We drove by this park and I said, 'That's a great place for a skate park. Why don't we do a skate park?'"
Meetings were held, attended by both youths and adults, plans laid and fundraising efforts launched. Volunteers, including Kim Hallee of the South End Neighborhood Association, helped build the facility.
On Tuesday, Brandon Giles, 14, was enjoying the park, and the fact that it is in his neighborhood.
"I don't have to go out of town just to go skating," he said.
Amy Calder -- 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com
WATERVILLE -- After years of planning and fundraising, the South End of the city has a brand new skate park.
The facility, at Green Street Park off Water and Sherwin streets, was made possible through donations by area businesses and individuals, as well as donated labor.
"This is, legally, the only place you can skate in Waterville," said Mike Levenseller, who headed up the effort to build the park.
On Tuesday afternoon, about a dozen youths of all ages took to the park with skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes. They zipped down ramps, jumped, twisted, turned and started all over again.
"I come here every day," said Brett Dyer, 14.
He and Mark Lorentsen, 19, said they like the fact that they can use the facility, free of charge.
"It's good to have a place like this," Lorentsen said. "It gets kids off the streets."
So far, about $50,000 has gone into the park, which features an 80-by-60-foot skating surface, a center pad, launching ramps and grind rails. The park was designed by SPC Skate Park, of Kennebunkport, with input from youths.
"We still need about $3,000 to complete it, with fencing and benches," said Levenseller, who is chairman of the South End Park Association.
Those wanting to donate to the park effort may send contributions to the South End Park Association, c/o Dead River Co., P.O. Box 415, Waterville, ME 04901.
Levenseller, of Belgrade, is district manager for Dead River. He served on the park association with Anne Palmer, Ann Beverage, James Toner, City Councilor Dana W. Sennett, D-Ward 4, Cyndi Derosiers and Eva Grover. He said the association hopes to make other improvements to the park, such as improving playground equipment, walking trails and benches.
"This is a committee that's committed to doing more than just the skate park," he said.
The park would not have been possible without a major contribution by Walter Simcock, whose former company, Colonial Distributors, once was located in the South End, according to Levenseller. Dead River Co., The local Rotary and Lions clubs and others also contributed generously, he said.
"The rest of it was raised by the kids in the community," he said.
The Home Depot will help with the fencing, he said.
Levenseller was the impetus behind building the skate park. About five years ago he and a delivery manager for Dead River were delivering oil in the South End and passed Green Street Park, a flat, grassy, city-owned park. Levenseller, whose son, Mike, was an avid skateboarder, recalled saying that the city needed something for youths.
"We drove by this park and I said, 'That's a great place for a skate park. Why don't we do a skate park?'"
Meetings were held, attended by both youths and adults, plans laid and fundraising efforts launched. Volunteers, including Kim Hallee of the South End Neighborhood Association, helped build the facility.
On Tuesday, Brandon Giles, 14, was enjoying the park, and the fact that it is in his neighborhood.
"I don't have to go out of town just to go skating," he said.
Amy Calder -- 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com