Saturday, June 26, 1999
New park gives home to skaters
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN - It may be June, but it seems like Christmas for area skaters.
Middletown's new Baker Bowl Skatepark is being unveiled at 10 a.m. today in Smith Park on Main Street.
In-line skaters and skateboarders who have been wheeled nomads — traveling all over the city for a place to skate where they won't be chased away — are expected to roll out in droves to sample the new park. The half-acre, concrete skatepark features an array of bowls, benches, curbs, banks, rails and steps for beginner, intermediate and advanced skaters to do aggressive twists, grinds and turns, said Denise Bolton, recreation administrator.
The shaded skatepark has a picnic shelter and water fountain, with restrooms and telephones nearby.
“The response from the pub lic regarding this facility has been overwhelmingly positive, and people are very anxious to use this one-of-a-kind facility in this region,” Mrs. Bolton said.
The park was designed by Suburban Rails of Athens, and was built through a public-private partnership. After area teens complained to city commissioners about the lack of places to skate, Baker Concrete Construction Inc., of Monroe, stepped forward and offered to supply much of the labor and materials. Twenty other businesses as well as the city contributed to the park, which is valued at about $500,000.
Those businesses will be recognized during today's festivities at the park, which will include presentations by city officials.
After skating exhibitions by Dayton's Team Skates and More and Athens In-Line Skaters, the park opens to the public, and performers will give skating tips.
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