Skateboarders William Schantz, 16, and Caleb Loughman, 17, stand on top of the mostly disassembled hubba ramp at Father Marinaro Park skateboard facility Monday. The ramp was ripped apart in preparation for the structure to be completely replaced using funds raised from the Father Marinaro Skate Competition and Community Day on June 26, although it appears some of the skate park's users added back a few of the boards that were removed in order to keep using the structure.

Everyone's worried about the hubba ramp and vert wall, but help is on the way.

Cindy Parker, of the Southside Park Group, said repairs are needed at the Father Marinaro Park skateboard facility, especially the tabletop ramp users have named the hubba ramp and another ramp called the vertical wall.

So, she and her fellow group members are planning the Father Marinaro Skate Competition and Community Day to be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 26.

The fundraiser and community gathering will host a skateboarding competition and offer food, craft vendors, face painting, a DJ and other features to entertain the whole family, Parker said.

She said the group raised enough to have security cameras installed in Father Marinaro Park, which is on Butler's South Side, after the park was vandalized in the fall.

They thought enough would be left over to replace the hubba ramp and vert wall, which are among the original ramps installed in 2002, but the group found themselves short.

“With the rising cost of lumber, it's really, really crippled us,” Parker said.

Then the coronavirus pandemic hit.

“We didn't get any donations at all last year,” Parker said.

So, the group members came up with the idea for a community gathering and skateboard competition, which will offer prizes to the winners.

Should they raise enough to replace the hubba ramp and the vert wall, the group would like to replace another ramp called the pyramid, which was removed from the park a few years ago.

Parker said the park's softball association is looking to host winery and brewery tents at the event as well.She is seeking craft vendors for the event. Vendors can call Parker at 724-968-2018 or email southsideparkgroup@yahoo.com.“The goal is not just to raise money, but to have a fun community day,” she said. “I think everyone needs a family fun day out.”She said the skateboard park regularly draws crowds of young people and adults who ride skateboards, scooters and bicycles there.“The park is an important part of our community,” Parker said. “It keeps the kids off the streets and gives them a place to go.”William Schantz, 16, of Butler Township, said he uses the park one to three times per week in the summer.He plays basketball there and rides his bicycle at the skateboard park.

“The skate park is a great place, in my opinion, but it just needs help,” William said.He helps pick up trash and leaves, and helps to maintain the skate park as much as he can.“As kids grow up, they need something to do, and we expect kids to just stay inside all day,” William said. “We need places like the skate park to seek refuge and hang out with other people.”He said those who gather at the skate park in Father Marinaro Park are “kind of like a family.”“You can go there and expect to see at least one person you know,” William said. “No one's excluded.”Caleb Loughman, 17, rides his board at the skate park almost every day, weather permitting.He hopes the hubba ramp can be repaired, as the popular feature is deteriorating.“Everyone uses it,” said Caleb, who plans to enter the skate competition June 26.He said the skate park is an important recreation venue for the teenagers, and many adults, in Butler.“They can have fun there and learn some new stuff,” he said.

Cindy Parker, of the Southside Park Group, stands on the deconstructed hubba ramp. The ramp was taken apart for inspection to see what needed to be replaced. “With the rising cost of lumber, it's really, really crippled us,” Parker said of the group's efforts to fix the ramp.