Springfield Skatepark celebrates outdoor improvements

Half of the funding for the $1 million outdoor course project was provided by the quarter-cent sales tax for the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department, approved by voters in 2001. The remainder came from private donations, in-kind services and fundraising efforts by members of the Springfield Skatepark Association, a nonprofit group co-sponsored by the Park Board.

“The addition of the outside improvements to the Skatepark is one more example of the diverse recreational opportunities that make us a model parks system, which is recognized nationally,” Parks Director Jodie Adams said in a news release. “It's one of those unique facilities that is necessary to make us the type of metropolitan parks system that we are today.”

The outdoor course features a flow course, two street courses and a combination bowl; new fencing; landscaping improvements; and future lighting.

Combined, the indoor and outdoor skating facilities total nearly 40,000 square feet of riding and obstacle space for area skateboarders, in-line skaters and freestyle bikers.

“Since our inception in 2001, we've grown the Skatepark to what it is today,” said Springfield Skatepark Executive Director Annette Weatherman, in the release. “When we're seeing more than 600 rides a week at the facility, along with being open nearly 90 hours a week at our peak summer season, it tells us that there is tremendous popularity for these sports.”

The Springfield Skatepark is open to the public six days a week and is available for birthdays and private rentals. Both drop-in and instructional sessions are available for $5 for members or $10 for nonmembers. Yearly membership is $25.