Locals have big visions for new skatepark in St. Joseph

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- Kiwanis Park in St. Joseph has been home to the John and Dede Howard skate park for the better part of the last 20-plus years, but now that time has caught up with the park, a new future lies ahead.

Today, an open house was held at St. Joseph City Hall to show off some of the new renderings for the skatepark to the public.

The open house allowed locals to put a sticker on the features they liked the most about each skatepark rendering, so the designers from American Ramp Company can take those suggestions and come up with a final vision.

The project has become a partnership between the city and the Friends of the St. Joseph Skatepark, with the goal of raising one-million dollars to design and construct a world-class skatepark and pump track combination.

Director of Public Works for the City of St. Joseph, Greg Grothous, believes a newly designed skatepark will not only benefit local skaters, but also make st. Joseph more of a destination for travelers.

“Many in the group are lifelong skaters you know; they’re adults, and they have families of their own, so their kids are starting to skate,” Grothous said. “They’ll take vacations based on, ‘I want to go check out this skatepark,’ or where are we going and do they have a skate park because I want to skate.”

While there is no timeframe on when ground will be broken, Grothous said the fundraising portion is in full swing.