A crowded course means Butler’s skatepark association is doing its job
Tim Gilliland has been skateboarding in Butler for most of his life, but an event that brought numerous skaters to Father Marinaro Skate Park on Saturday, June 27, was a breath of fresh air to him.
“I’m psyched about what they’re doing,” Gilliland said about the Butler Area Skatepark Association. “I’d like to see a pole jam … It’s a pole that’ll come out of the ground at an angle you can go up and jam on.”
Party in the Park was an event by the Butler Area Skatepark Association, BASA for short, that aimed first and foremost to get people to the skate park at Father Marinaro Park in Butler. Sean Carcaise, vice president of the association, said the crowd gathered at the park was heartening, because it is not often as populated as it was even just an hour into the party.
“It gives me hope that there’s something around for kids to do besides the typical sports,” he said. “It’s a good outlet for kids. A great outlet for anybody.”
BASA is working with Butler’ City Council to renovate Father Marinaro Skate Park, with Ken Clowes, president of the organization, saying there is hope among association members to eventually create a new skate park in Father Marinaro.
Clowes said while the renovation of the park is one of the association’s goals, the group has plans that go beyond capital developments. The Party in the Park was an example of the how the association could aid the community.
“It’s more for the community to enjoy the park,” he said. “This is more to give people a time to come out, enjoy the space.”
In addition to the many skating contests taking place throughout the day — with “ugliest kick flip” and longest power slide being competitive categories at the party — bands entertained at the event from noon to 8 p.m.
The association awarded prizes to the winners of the competition categories, and Chris Jolly, event planner for BASA, said the grand prize was a fully maneuverable metal skateboard. Other prizes consisted mainly of other skating gear to further promote the activity.
Jolly said although this was the first Party in the Park the association has hosted, he wants to see it become an annual event continuing even once renovations are completed at the skate park.
He also noted the association may host some mental health advocacy events as part of its efforts to promote skating and skateboarding as activities for people of all ages.
Jolly also said the attendance at the Party in the Park, as well as that of its last event, the skateboard art show in November, surpassed his expectations.
“I continue to be overwhelmed by the support we get for what our mission is,” he said. “We are going to continue this as long as we can.”
Party in the Park was scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Father Marinaro Skate Park.
