Parks Dept. To Hold Mantis Skate Park Community Build Day
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw residents will have the opportunity to assist park department employees in installing nine new ramps at Mantis Skate Park this month.
The parks department will hold a Community Build Day April 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park. Volunteers will work with park employees to install the ramps.
The park is at 400 Little League Drive in Boggs Industrial Park.The park opened in August 1996 in collaboration with the Boy Scouts of America and the Carpenter's Union.
"The purpose of the day is to bring people together who advocate the skate park and create pride and ownership in rebuilding ramps in the park," said Janelle Wilson, activities director for the Warsaw Park Department.
Additional assistance is needed April 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to prepare materials for the day.
Park employees have been working since last fall on replacing ramps and laying new asphalt at the skate park, Wilson said.
A new half pipe ramp was built this winter, and a double half pipe ramp was installed in March. Nine other ramps still need to be installed, Wilson said.
Railings have been installed on the north side of the skate park. New skatelite, a top surface material, also has been installed.
"We have been trying to replace our old ramps that have deteriorated and configured the ramps to meet industry standards and warranties," Wilson said.
Volunteers who are interested in participating in Community Build Day are required to call Wilson to set up a volunteer time.
The department will add nine new ramps to the skate park that will join existing roll-in, bank to bank and grind box ramps as well as a 36-foot quarter pipe ramp and a 12-foot piano ramp.
The project has been made possible due to a $50,000 grant from the Kosciusko County 21st Century Foundation that was awarded in 2005, and through the support from the city of Warsaw.
Wilson said the department annually invests in new manufactured ramps that have an outdoor warranty of eight years.
The park will reopen April 15 from noon to 8 p.m. with posted school hours. School hours are Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Summer hours will begin June 8 with hours including Monday through Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. The skate park will close for the season Sept. 30.
To volunteer for Community Build Day, call Wilson at 574-372-9554.
