Valpo Parks had a ground breaking ceremony for their newest project: a 25,000-square-foot skatepark that features a mini bowl, street features, a beginner’s area, with 3 phases of development. This new location will bring a greater visibility to local residents and also brings a convenient location, right off of Calumet Ave, and walking distance from the new Boys and Girls Club building.
The Parks Dept. Assistant Director Kevin Nuppnau worked on construction project. Valpo Parks hopes to open this new park to residents in the fall of 2023. Valparaiso’s newest park is an upgrade and renovation to its existing skate park at Rogers-Lakewood Park called Flounder Skatepark has served the public well, but the skatepark was made out of wood. The Parks had to decide to either invest in that park or build a new park in a new location.
The new skatepark will be located within the Fairgrounds Park grounds, on the northwest corner – an area formerly used as an adult soccer field. This shift was made possible as a result of the new Valpo Sports and Recreation Campus. The Sports and Recreation Campus will include soccer fields as well as other amenities. After meeting with stakeholders, Valpo Parks determined that the best route for the park was to move the location and have an improved overall design.
Fairgrounds Park already has several amenities such as lights, a parking lot, and restrooms that saves on our overall project budget. There are pathways and sidewalks to the park, so people that don’t want to drive or live nearby can easily access it.
Designs for the skatepark were created by an expert in the field and a Valparaiso native Dug Ketterman with Dugout Design Studios. Dug is a Valparaiso High School graduate, and he was instrumental in Flounder Skatepark and is passionate about this project and giving back to the community. Ketterman’s designs not only include longer-lasting materials, but they also were sure to include all members of the community by including a new skaters area. Valpo Parks also plans to support new learners, the park will also have a learn-to-skate program. Making this park inclusive another addition to the park is an area for adaptive skaters for adaptive athletes.
Donations for the skatepark are collected through the Park’s website.
“Creating the skatepark has been a collaborative effort thus far,” Nuppnau said. “We can’t be more excited about the progress we’ve made and how close we are to the finish line.”
Valparaiso residents with questions or donations are encouraged to reach out to Kevin Nuppnau at knuppnau@valpo.us.
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