Fall 2021 Hometown Messenger

PARKS & RECREATION

Skate park celebrates 20 years in Shakopee Park celebrates two decades of fun

Temporary Community Center closure Aug. 27 - Sept. 6 The Shakopee Community Center will be closed from Aug. 27 – Sept. 7 as the hardwood floors in the gyms are resurfaced. “We are going to varnish both gym floors and the floors in two fitness studios,” said Building Maintenance Manager, Terry Link. “The product we use has quite an odor, so it takes about a week to get rid of it.” The floors are resurfaced every two years. In the past, members and guests have complained about the smell of the sealant. The closure will allow time for the facility to air out. Additionally, teams will make repairs to cracks caused by settling discovered on the fitness floor. “This should be a one-time repair,” explained Link. During the closure, staff will be available to help with membership or other Parks and Recreation business at the Ice Arena. Reoccuring Payments As the Parks and Recreation Department moves to the new CivicRec software, reoccuring payments from checking accounts will no longer be valid beginning Sept. 30. To avoid a lapse in service, members should update their payment information prior to Sept. 30. This can be done online at www. ShakopeeMN.gov/registration, or in person.

Residents enjoying the Shakopee Skate Park after it's rebuild in 2016

This summer, Shakopee Parks and Recreation will celebrate 20 years of the Shakopee Skate Park. In 2001 a group of young skaters formed a committee to petition the city to build a skate park near the Community Center. Shakopee native Butch Lehman was one of the original commissioners. “It’s pretty validating, especially to see the evolution of the park,” Lehman said. On Aug. 28 skaters, BMX riders and in-line skaters like Lehman will descend upon the skate park to commemorate two decades of action sports in Shakopee. The planned celebration will begin at 3 p.m. with two hours of open skating for riders of all abilities. Food trucks will provide some snacks and refreshment to visitors. At 5 p.m. the fun really begins with demonstrations from local professional riders and friendly competitions for riders of all skill levels. “We want to make sure that even the little kids who are just getting into action sports have the opportunity to get out there and skate,” said Lehman, who is assisting the Parks and Recreation Department with planning the event. The park itself has gone through three iterations over the last two decades. Originally built on the site where the Ice Arena currently stands, the park was moved during the construction of the new Community Center in 2016. “City staff have always kept the park in skateable condition,” said Lehman. “It’s not like some other parks, because it undergoes regular replacement and maintenance.”

Action sports have seen a boost over the past 40 years. Today, BMX riders and skateboarders even compete for gold at the Olympics. The

IF YOU GO... WHAT: Skate Park 20th Anniversary WHEN: 3 - 7 p.m. Aug. 28 WHERE: Skate Park, 1255 Fuller St.

skating community is tight knit, and local skaters like Lehman have helped to keep kids involved. “I was sponsored [by a skating company] in high school and college and now I’m helping to build a community that I love,” Lehman explained. Lehman, who is now an English teacher at Prior Lake High School, still embraces his passion of in-line skating. He is the founder of a group called Roll Minnesota. The organization introduces kids to action sports and highlights the accomplishments of local skaters. “We bring skaters on tour to local parks and and make family friendly skating videos,” Lehman said. “As we do this, we hope that we’re encouraging kids to skate and move away from destructive behaviors.” Lehman hopes the 20th anniversary event will highlight aspects of the skating community that sometimes get lost. “The skate park has done a lot of good for the at-risk community,” Lehman said. “Everyone needs an outlet, and it’s truly a blessing to have this space.”

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