2 celebrations in 1: Delridge Day & Skatepark Grand Opening

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Updated 8:10 pm with video clips from the skatepark dedication ceremony)

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
At the Delridge Day/Delridge Skatepark grand-opening celebration dual festivities till 3 pm, fun is in the bag (sack) – or, in the bowl!

The official dedication is coming up at 1 pm, followed by pro skaters’ demonstrations, but skating’s been under way since this morning, including lessons provided by Skate Like A Girl. Delridge Day vendors include Delridge Produce Cooperative:

And of course there’s the big fundraising bake sale we’ve been mentioning, too. The festival was organized for the first time by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council.

More photos later!

ADDED 8:10 PM: First, the video! The Delridge Skatepark ribboncutting (followed by skaters launching themselves immediately afterward):

And the speakers:

And pro skater Sky Siljeg:

We also wanted to say thanks to Karen Berge and Deb Greer from the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network and West Seattle Be Prepared, who posed with Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen:

They loaned us tent space at Delridge Day when things got a bit soggy.

Tony September 17, 2011 (3:02 pm)

If the turnout @ the skate park is any indication, the new addition to our community is already a BIG success. Thanks Grindline! and all involved. Now go skate.

Tyler September 17, 2011 (3:52 pm)

Great to see this new addition to the Delridge corridor. Adds terrific vibe. Skate Park was overflowing when I stopped by today. If you’re not skating or on-looking, come across the street to the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association and Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. There’s plenty going on most days. You’re always welcome.

Tyler McKenzie, DNDA Board President.

Alki resident September 17, 2011 (7:35 pm)

I have a serious request.After being at the skatepark for only five minutes,I counted 3,males smoking and boarding.Not only did I inhale the nasty stuff but so did the younger kids running into it.PLEASE,put smoking prohibited signs in this area or its gonna be a new generation of cancer stricken kids.AND,butts everywhere.

Tony September 17, 2011 (8:55 pm)

That’s three out of how many adults? Just curious. And is smoking banned in ALL city parks? Don’t get me wrong, non-smoker myself. I saw a lot of people, young and old having fun, being safe. Always a few smokers in the crowd.

k September 17, 2011 (8:58 pm)

Skate Like A Girl is fabulous!!!

Alki resident September 17, 2011 (10:07 pm)

Tony,I want my kids to be able to enjoy the skatepark and not breath in toxic cigarette smoke.There were tons of people there today for.bb the celebration and a fraction of them will return daily.Smoking can happen away from the bowl,you dont have to have one in your mouth as youre boarding.Nobody needs to get smoked out.If other parents agree with me on this please speak up.

SpeakLoud September 18, 2011 (12:37 am)

I was wondering about that myself and would have liked for them to comment on it just to set it off on the right, SMOKE FREE tone. But yes for the amount of people it was very few although smoking while riding? Really? that’s not neccessary, or cool.

duh duh duh September 18, 2011 (6:44 pm)

T’would seem to be wiser in the long run to be kind to EVERYONE possible. Smoke, no-smoke, rich, poor, liberals and the oppressed. Smokers PAY for the right to choose and it would be a lot nicer if you showed how cool it is to be a non-smoker. Skaters were once viewed as outcasts and the cities kicked them off the streets. Some did not have the same income bracket, haircut and smoking status you have been free to enjoy. Right now the picture you paint of a nonsmoker is self-righteous, strict and unforgiving. Three things that skaters are naturally repulsed by. You were on their turf at the park. They shared it with you. Please refrain from oppressive mentalities and skate free. Save your posturing for the treadmill.

Alki resident September 18, 2011 (8:32 pm)

@Duh duh duh_Your name says it all.

Tony September 18, 2011 (9:33 pm)

Duh….. Well said.
Alki….. ” a fraction of which will return”? I think you will be surprised by how busy the new skate park is. A lot of people have waited a long time to be able to enjoy this park, and will do just that plus they will take care of it by discouraging grafitti and vandalism. I’ve seen it before. Also you didn’t address my question- is smoking banned in ALL parks? If not they are exercising their constitutional rights to smoke and offend you. YOU have the choice to thumb your nose and not return, return and complain or possibly TALK to these people about what is bothering you. They might listen, they may tell you to pack sand. Again, for the record, I do not and have not ever smoked. But a few people smoking outside in an open space is tolerable. A small price to pay to skate a world class park like Delridge. Lighten up and try to be as open minded and non-judgmental as you think you are. Now go skate. PS wear a helmet

Nancy Folsom September 19, 2011 (7:39 am)

A word of thanks to Captain Paulsen who came out and visited with folks. He makes time for folks in the neighborhood. Our community police team officer, Officer Kiehn, couldn’t make it due to an injury, but I expect we’ll see him around.

Tony September 19, 2011 (8:21 am)

60-75 skaters @ the park for most the day on Sunday!

Nancy Folsom September 19, 2011 (9:32 am)

@Tony: I was chatting with a neighbor who was impressed at how well that many people could coordinate the activity. It’s one of the things that I admire about skateboarders.

Alki resident September 19, 2011 (11:07 am)

Tony_I grew up skateboarding and as a parent have been waiting with everyone else to see this park built.When I said fraction,I meant the amount of people at a time skating.This is going to be very well used.I never suggested not smoking in the entire park,simply not smoking while boarding along with everone else.Thetes no reason to have to breath in this crap.Secondhand smoke kills people everyday and it can be prevented by smokers who csn be more respectful of where they smoke.Theres going to be alot of kids at the skate park and dont need to be subjected to it.My dad died of lung cancer at 51.Now 22 yrs ago.He respected us enough to smoke outside,away from us and not indoors.This prevented secondhand smoke.This new skatepark as well should be a smoke free area to play and enjoy and breathe clean air in.

Tony September 19, 2011 (11:56 am)

Alki- I respect your point. But the reality is it’s a free country and people are free to be disrespectful, rude, obnoxious, etc. Not everyone shares your point of view or background. I too had skin cancer. I’m 45. I will share my views and concerns but others are free to tell me to… Well you know. I say pick your battles. Ask if people will go smoke away from the bowl, etc but if they choose not to, that’s that. Freedom is what skating culture is all about, and that’s not changing any time soon. Sorry you lost your Dad, even 20 years ago. Enjoy the park.

MLJ September 19, 2011 (2:00 pm)

Hey there,
.
I just wanted to jump in here and point out that this is exactly the kind of opportunity that this skatepark provides us: the ability to have a dialogue with our young people about all kinds of issues they’re facing, including smoking.
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As a middle-aged skater, I really appreciate the opportunity to help the younger folks through some of this stuff. When I do have conversations with them, it’s as a peer and a fellow skater, as we enjoy our community skatepark.
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There’s no reason this kind of healthy mentorship and community building can’t happen at all levels. The skatepark is just an opportunity and a platform for this positive dialogue. An opportunity that we didn’t have before.
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Make sure to hold on to that positive spirit and if you see someone making a bad choice as we all have in our lives, take some time to get to know them and see if you can help.
,
MLJ

LincolnPark September 23, 2011 (4:56 pm)

I just dropped my son at the skatepark to meet up with some friends. I have to say it looks like a great facility.
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I was very disappointed though to see that, of the 50 or so kids I saw, not a single one was wearing a helmet. My son is normally willing to wear his helmet when boarding/blading, but you could tell it just killed him when I told him he had to wear it today.
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I realize it’s difficult to enforce helmet rules at a facility like this and I realize it’s my responsibility to set and enforce rules for my own kids. It’s just unfortunate that we’ve got a great new facility that fosters peer pressure to NOT wear helmets. We’ve visited skateparks in other states that require helmets and that seem to have found a way to make it work.
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Am I being over-protective and unreasonable, or do others see this as a concern?

kim schwarzkopf September 30, 2011 (5:32 pm)

LincolnPark- I don’t think a skatepark “fosters peer pressure to not wear helmets”.
I have never heard a skatepark say…”Don’t wear your helmet”.
In fact, no person has ever said to me, don’t wear your helmet.

I’m just going to try and wear my helmet and get my kids to wear theirs and would even support a helmet law.

Right now, it’s freedom of choice which is a good thing too.

Sorry, comment time is over.