A private group of skaters, riders, parents, and advocates is seeking to help the city of St. Joseph reimagine the skate park at Kiwanis Park, and it’s planning to get active around the community to raise funds and spread the word.
St. Joseph City Commissioners on Monday heard from the still-unnamed group’s Nick Ferreira, who told them the current skate park has been an asset to the community for years, offering many benefits to the young people who use it.
“St. Joe knows why they matter,” Ferreira said. “They built the park in the 2000s very early on in all of this. Health and confidence, it’s a healthy activity because you’re getting outside. It’s physical. It gives people the ability to problem solve. You fall a lot when you’re doing this stuff — in a healthy way — but it gives you the opportunity to get back up and keep going.”
But Ferreira said the current park, which is due to be replaced by the city, could use a refresh. His group has met with representatives of American Ramp Company — a leading skate park manufacturer — and has made presentations to the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and to the St. Joseph Parks Foundation about establishing a new, world class skate park at Kiwanis.
“Doesn’t mean oversized or extravagant. It just means thoughtful, inclusive, durable, and built to serve the community for decades.”
Ferreira said the new design could allow for more flow and creativity, featuring new ramps, rails, and boxes dedicated for action and for multiple skill levels. They’re seeking structures made of concrete, rather than the current metal, to reduce noise, and taking inspiration from skate parks in New York and Utah.
Commissioners approved a motion directing staff to stay in communication with the group as it raises funds for a new park.
