Pros, officials share what new skate park and the sport mean to them

By Sam Tastad for Dakota News Now

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - A few weeks ago, one of the largest skate parks in the country opened in Sioux Falls.

View the full video here

And now, skateboarding is an Olympic sport.

Photojournalist Sam Tastad spoke with pros, officials and those enjoying the new park about how the sport has made a positive impact in their lives.

“One of the skaters came up to the designer and said, ‘Thanks for being here again.’ I remember when we walked through the design of this park back in 2018,” said Allison Dvorak, Let’s Skate president.

“Skateboarding keeps kids out of trouble. It gives them something to focus on,” said pro skateboarder Eli Williams.

“These kids need a place to go. What can we do to make this a really special skate park? As a pro skateboarder, growing up in the ‘90s, I know what it feels like to not have a place to go skate and express yourself,” said Canten Russell, Barb Iverson Skate Plaza designer.

“I feel like this park has everything for everyone. I think it helps kids get moving, and I feel like it helps with mental health to get out of your head and go to the park and be free,” said Jamie Reyes, pro skateboarder.

“The impact of accessible free community skate parks goes way beyond the skateable footprint you see behind us,” said Everett Tate, director of community partnership with Newline Skateparks.

“One thing we’ve learned is what happens after a skate park is built. How do people use this to have an outlet for them, and I think mental health is huge because we really want people to come here when they need to get out some energy or feel a level of support,” said Russell.

“I used to vape, but I don’t do it anymore. People would rather come here, skate and be healthy,” said Samantha Sullivan, local skater.

“Skate culture ventures on what it means to be accepting and to feel like you are part of something, how to be a community when folks don’t always feel like they have one, how to practice courage and grow into independence,” said Erika Iverson, family of Barb Iverson.

“I am a skateboarder that is blind. I love coming to skate park openings,” said Daniel Mancina, pro skateboarder.

“I have had my own struggles with mental health and substance abuse, and it was really hard for me to trust somebody to get help. With new openings of skate parks worldwide, I’ve always wanted to open that discussion up about the importance of community and having resources for people and families struggling with mental health and substance abuse,” said Brandon Turner, pro skateboarder.

“Not only are people going to find a place to find their friends and interests and explore and be self-directed and find an accessible form of recreation, but they are going to learn skills that they are going to take into the rest of life — things like resilience, trying new things over and over again to get it right once. There’s a lot to be learned in the skate park,” said Tate.

“If you have a skateboard, you are always going to have a friend because if you don’t fit in and start skating, people will come to you,” said Turner.

Read the full article here: https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2024/08/07/pros-officials-share-what-new-skate-park-sport-mean-them/